You Know you have a problem when

you tare down an engine and find this.....
the oil pump rod is on the right...some of the material is from it
but haven't taken the piston or crank out yet.
the cam had heat scorch marks so it looks like the oil system failed.
I will see if the crank and mains are gone...at least I have 3 blocks.
Robert

 

When I removed the tired '74 block last fall and removed the pan, that's exactly what I found.

 

Very common problem with the 302, when the oil pump rod fails. Sorry it happened, but glad you found the problem.

 

yep turned the rod into a corkscrew

 

I'm guessing that isn't a chromoly (well, actually, they do the same thing - it just takes a little more umph to twist or break it).

A friend of mine just had his chromoly twist because an end of a push-rod came off and got into the pump. Sad.

Good luck. I hope the rest of the damage isn't too severe.

 

That does not look good. I'd say there is more damage than just the oil pump. Just curious but how does a pushrod cap get thru the pickup screen?

 

That is not good!

 

When it breaks (see attached).

 

makes me want to just go and get a new boss 302 crate engine..but just a block is $2,000...but it sure would be nice to put on the stripes.
Robert

 

That sucks. I'd cut it down, round the corners a little and make a key chain out of it.

 

if it is a known problem, what is there to keep it from happening

 

It isn't the pump rod that fails. It's just a casualty of the oil pump locking up with debris. If the pump jams, somethings gotta give.

 

Oh well......sorry! Its still a very common problem, if the shaft twist or breaks the pump wont pump! Wonder why they sell heavy duty shafts?
Todd