Is this a normal wear pattern on oil pump idler cover plate and block mating surface?

[Blindhuckster]

A little back story on the car. 37 Deluxe Coupe was on display for 40 years at the Flathead Ford Museum in Big Fork Montana. All cars were licensed and insured and driven regularly. Museum closed in 2018. I bought the car in 2019. Did the normal service items, brakes, tires, etc, but decided to pull motor and transmission to reseal engine, and transmission to take care of some leaks and replace the worn-out clutch and pressure plate and surface the flywheel. No need to go deep into the engine as it had been rebuilt years ago. .020 stamp on crankshaft counterweight and the inside of engine was surprisingly clean. Has a couple slightly low compression cylinders but no blue smoke and with a rebuilt distributor from Micheal at third gen and a rebuilt coil from Ship Haney it runs great. My question is on the oil pump cover and block mating surfaces, the wear is just on one side of each and opposite each other. Is this normal? Or should I replace the cover and idler gear?
Engine has great oil pressure.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Blindhuckster

A little back story on the car. 37 Deluxe Coupe was on display for 40 years at the Flathead Ford Museum in Big Fork Montana. All cars were licensed and insured and driven regularly. Museum closed in 2018. I bought the car in 2019. Did the normal service items, brakes, tires, etc, but decided to pull motor and transmission to reseal engine, and transmission to take care of some leaks and replace the worn-out clutch and pressure plate and surface the flywheel. No need to go deep into the engine as it had been rebuilt years ago. .020 stamp on crankshaft counterweight and the inside of engine was surprisingly clean. Has a couple slightly low compression cylinders but no blue smoke and with a rebuilt distributor from Micheal at third gen and a rebuilt coil from Ship Haney it runs great. My question is on the oil pump cover and block mating surfaces, the wear is just on one side of each and opposite each other. Is this normal? Or should I replace the cover and idler gear?
Engine has great oil pressure.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Blindhuckster

A little back story on the car. 37 Deluxe Coupe was on display for 40 years at the Flathead Ford Museum in Big Fork Montana.

[cadillac512]

Normal, and looks fine. I'd reassemble with assembly lube or vaseline to help it prime and run it.

[Blindhuckster]

I appreciate the help and advice. Thanks Nate

[Bored&Stroked]

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Looks normal to me. Just make sure the bushing is not too loose, otherwise replace and hone it to fit.

[Kurt in NJ]

the pin is at a angle, or the bushing is worn allowing the gear to run crooked previous wear is showing in the shadows that the gear was making full contact in the thrust area

[mcgarrett]

While you have it apart, replace the idler gear bushing and hone it to fit. Looks like it may be suffering from a sloppy idler bushing. When the idler bushing becomes worn, the engine will sound like it has a rod knock. Ask me how I know.

[Ronnieroadster]

The wear looks typical. But since you have it apart I would replace the idler gear bushing with a NOS bushing not any reproduction stuff. And replace the idler pin in the cover as well with a NOS part. Then everything will be fine for a very long time.
Ronnieroadster

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

The wear looks typical. But since you have it apart I would replace the idler gear bushing with a NOS bushing not any reproduction stuff. And replace the idler pin in the cover as well with a NOS part. Then everything will be fine for a very long time.
Ronnieroadster

Interesting. I didn't realize that pin was replaceable.

[Blindhuckster]

I appreciate the advice. When I check the bushing on the shaft, there is some excess clearance present. Van Pelt list these parts

18-6655 Oil Pump Idler Gear with new bushing PIC 1932-53 V8 39.00
18-6656/64 Idler Cover Plate & Shaft assy PIC 1932-48 V8 30.00

Not sure these are NOS or reproduction. I'll call him in the morning to confirm. Any other leads on suppliers that you think may have NOS parts available would be appreciated. Thanks Nate

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Blindhuckster

I appreciate the advice. When I check the bushing on the shaft, there is some excess clearance present. Van Pelt list these parts

18-6655 Oil Pump Idler Gear with new bushing PIC 1932-53 V8 39.00
18-6656/64 Idler Cover Plate & Shaft assy PIC 1932-48 V8 30.00

Not sure these are NOS or reproduction. I'll call him in the morning to confirm. Any other leads on suppliers that you think may have NOS parts available would be appreciated. Thanks Nate

Fred @ Southside Obsolete, who is Barnfind08 here, will most definitely have these parts NOS

[Blindhuckster]

Thanks Tim, I emailed Fred this morning. Nate

[Blindhuckster]

Fred was quick to respond, and I have the required NOS parts coming my way. I'll keep him in my phone for future parts needs. I so much appreciate the help I receive here.
Nate Anello

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Blindhuckster

Fred was quick to respond, and I have the required NOS parts coming my way. I'll keep him in my phone for future parts needs. I so much appreciate the help I receive here.
Nate Anello

Excellent. Glad Fred was able to help you out. He's one of the good ones for sure. Can't beat NOS

[rockfla]

Amazing, I was just fixing to clean and install one of these this weekend....NOW I am in touch with Fred ordering me one too!!!

[Blindhuckster]

I received my NOS parts from Fred today. Shaft was pressed into the oil pump idler cover and the idler gear fits perfectly on the shaft without issue. Thanks for the lead on the parts source. Easy to deal with and parts arrived promptly. Thanks again Nate Anello

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Blindhuckster

I received my NOS parts from Fred today. Shaft was pressed into the oil pump idler cover and the idler gear fits perfectly on the shaft without issue. Thanks for the lead on the parts source. Easy to deal with and parts arrived promptly. Thanks again Nate Anello

[Mart]

I was thinking about the original pattern and it became obvious. If you look at the gear on the cam. It turns clockwise in this view and the helix would tend to push this side away from the block. The oil pump would tend to pull the other side of the idler towards the block. So any wear in the bush would allow the idler to tip slightly and generate the witness marks shown. So it stands to reason that wear as shown does indeed indicate a worn idler. It would probably continue to work for many miles like that but as nos parts are available, why not use them?