Tack weld or no tack weld for oil pick up to pump.

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buddy350

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Have read that some people are for adding a small tack weld to keep the oil pick up tube to the pump.

personally I’m thinking I’ll just make a little bracket and weld the bracket to the pick up so that the pick up and be bolted to the pump.

When I pulled the pan there was nothing to keep the pick up from just vibrating out of the pump.

Not even sure if the pick up tube is custom.
Just looks really long for a stock bbc 454 motor.

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Snoots

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I had my pick-up screen to tube and tube to oil pump tack welded.
As long as it's a good weld, it's a good thing to do.
I also safety-wired the screws on the oil pump baseplate.
 

bucket

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Just a simple tack weld or two and call it good. You just want to make sure it's setup for the proper depth in the pan before doing so.
 

Craig Nedrow

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Just built my 454, and I ALWAYS secure the pickup to the tray. 175 Miller on 4 heat, and 6 wire for about one second burst.
 

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Tack weld is just cheap insurance for the pickup not to come loose and drop into the pan. Its a rare occasion that it occurs but an expensive one if it does.
 

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It’s also suggested to remove the pressure regulator spring first. However, I seriously doubt the spring could be damaged by the heat from a tack weld.
 

buddy350

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Spoke with a few of the guys at a shop today.
Everyone discouraged welding onto cast.

So I will make a Bracket and it will be welded to pick up tube and bolted to pump.
 

idahovette

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Don't know about your guys at the shop , but I've seen a butt load of pickups welded to oil pumps. Probably 9 out of every 10 have been welded, but brackets are good too as long as they don't flex and break.
 

bucket

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Don't know about your guys at the shop , but I've seen a butt load of pickups welded to oil pumps. Probably 9 out of every 10 have been welded, but brackets are good too as long as they don't flex and break.

Yeah, what this smart feller said.

Yeah the pump is cast... but it's steel, not iron. There's no special technique to welding on it, except a preheat if your welder doesn't put the heat to it. But most any common mig is up to the task.
 

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If you TIG it with silicon bronze rod you will keep the heat lower.
 

buddy350

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Thank you

will be adding a tack.
 

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It’s also suggested to remove the pressure regulator spring first. However, I seriously doubt the spring could be damaged by the heat from a tack weld.

It doesn't have to get the spring very hot to damage it. Pull it out, tack the pickup in at least a couple of spots, then put 'er back in.
 

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