Oil pump retainer spring

[Victoria31]

I have replaced the cam in my 31 Vicky. I decided to replace the oil pump with a brand new one. The car has a 29 engine and as I get ready to put the pump and pan back, I find that the oil pump spring is firmly attached to the pan. The pan is not the very early style with a removable access plate but the spring is firmly attached to the drain plug housing. The new pump came with a new spring installed on the bottom and I could just remove this and go with the old original but I am wondering if there is concern about the chance of the old spring breaking. I would appreciate any advice. I am new to this site...looks like a lot of great information. Thanks for your help! If removal of the old spring is recomended, how is it done?

[V4F]

my guess (not running stock) remove the old one & go with the new

[Kurt in NJ]

Most of the old oil pump springs I look at have rust or acid pitting ---if they are still in one piece, this is one of the few cases that new is better

[Tom Wesenberg]

You can remove the old spring by prying up with a screwdriver.

[Victoria31]

Thanks Tom.....it worked just as you said. I was very suprised that this spring setup seems to be almost unknown in the hobby. I checked with a model a parts supplier who had never heard of it and our resident model a GURU dadn't either. The spring is held in what looks like a large inverted bottle cap.the edges are rolled inward to hold the spring. I did use a screw driver to pry the old spring out pried the coil of the new spring open to install it. The old spring was rust pitted making its relyability questionable. The last thing I wanted was to have the spring break, the pump to drop, lose oil pressure and melt some bearings. Pan and pump going back in Tuesday. Thanks again Tom.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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I'm surprised those people hadn't heard of the pan mounted spring. It's talked about in the SERVICE BULLETINS and was used in the early 29 engines.

I bought an engine once only to find the oil pump had come out of place and got thrown around by the rods. That engine was a real mess inside and not worth dragging home. Live and learn.

[James Rogers]

I see this lots. You will have to remove the spring from the pump and fit it into the cup in the pan. If you don't fit it into the cup, it may not voluntarily seat and make it difficult to fit the pan or put too much pressure on the bottom of the pump. It may be a moot point but, I just always do this.

[Steve Plucker]

Review my article in my website about the oil pump and related parts and assemblies. Go to Additional Studies to find the article.

Pluck

[fiddlybits]

Did you change the distributer/oil pump drive gear when you changed the cam? (or at least inpsect it for wear?)

I've seen new cams chewed up by worn drive gears..

I have moved the pump spring to the pan and also have left it on the pump depending on the condition of the cup. If i leave it on the pump i flair the "bottle cap" for easier pan alignment.