Important -- Oil Pump Issues

[pumpbldr]

Melling has just changed a part on the FE series oil Pumps that is causing an issue. They were recently out of stock of FE pumps due to a lack of supply of the relief valve plug. They found a supply of new plugs, but it is different, it has a small hole in it. People were calling me saying that they called Melling asking whats up. Basically Melling said the plug would be fine and NOT cause an induction of Air into the supply/Pickup side through the transfer port of the pump as it would submerged in oil. Problem is these plugs are 3 inches above the pickup. Most cars leave hard oil sloshes to back, leaving plug void of oil and inducing air. Also cars corner and trucks mud womp. FE guys want as much oil in the pan anyways, restrict things, much less now would have to be worried about a sucking sensation at around the "full" mark. BAD, Very Bad. Dont run these. Either epoxy the hole or call me or one of the other FE builders. I have the proper solid plugs. I would hate to see someone burn up an engine for a small over looked new thing. I will be making contact with Brent, Jay, Barry and Blair. I wiil sent them some plugs from my own pocket, for them to have and give you if you need them or have orders with them for FREE.

Thanks, Doug aka pumpbldr
Precision Oil Pumps

[blykins]

That's why you're the man, Doug. 

Thank you, sir.

[jayb]

Almost unbelievable that Melling did that.  They should look at some of my oil pan videos, that show the level of the oil in the pan dropping from just running, static, on the dyno.  Thanks for bringing that to everyone's attention, Doug!

[winr1]

Thats why many of us recommend you to others ... thanks !!



Ricky.

[TomP]

And that's a huge hole. Even a pinprick hole in the pickup tube can starve an engine of oil.

[cammerfe]

Doug---

Very classy of you. But that can be said of all the people here. Jay seems to attract that kind of a following.

KS

[My427stang]

Thanks Doug, I will check shelf stock tonight

[gregaba]

Hi Doug.
I ordered a pump from you about 4 month's ago and received it. I have just got the short block together last month.
Should I remove the pump and check it?.
Would hate to blow it.
Greg

[BattlestarGalactic]

So the hole is in the welch plug?

Drilling/tapping for a pipe plug would eliminate the issue. 

[CV355]

What is the range of dates affected?

[pumpbldr]

Any pump from my shop has the correct plug in them. The date range of this is recent as in last couple months. I have scene this mainly in M57B, M-57HV and M57. I have NOT scene them in the "A" series yet . Changing over to a screw in style plug is really not possible. The FE pumps have a short spring to begin with. By adding a thicker threaded plug would require a shorter spring and not allow the valve to move far enough to bypass correctly. BTW I have contacted Jay, Brent and Chris/Pond yesterday and shipped them the correct plugs to have on hand for all to have. Still have to make contact with Barry and Blair

[gregaba]

Thanks for the update.
 I inspected the pump when I received and think I would have noticed a hole that big but wanted to be sure.
Greg

[BattlestarGalactic]

I have either counter bored the plug to allow the spring to go inside or cut it shorter so it fit just like the welch plug.  Its been many quite a while since I did one of mine.  No issues in my 3 FEs.

[Barry_R]

I just received a new M57HV and can verify the hole in the plug.
Might not be the dumbest design issue I've ever seen, but it has to rank in the "top ten".
I also verified that it is open to atmosphere - you can send air through the pump inlet and it whistle right out the plug hole.
I don't know if I have any plugs in stock, but I am "for sure" going to need some.

HUGE THANKS to Doug for finding this change quickly.
He has probably saved numerous FE engines from premature failure!

[Barry_R]

Follow up to this issue.

Spent a bit of time on the phone with the tech guy at Melling.

Pumps with the hole in the plug are now considered to be "defective", and have been pulled from Melling inventory system and reworked.  They cannot control inventory outside of their own network, and pumps with the hole are doubtless sitting on shelves all around the country.  Please inspect any pump you get and do not use one with the hole in the plug until it's fixed or replaced.

As to how an error of this magnitude got past Melling's folks - - the problem lies in the testing procedure.  Melling tests oil pump function by submerging the pump in fluid and spinning the shaft, without an inlet screen assembly in place.  This probably makes sense in production, given that screen assemblies can be widely variable in design and difficult to assemble and remove.  But it effectively masks this type of problem by covering up the hole in the inlet side of the pump.