I appears that I am getting a fair amount of leaking from the oil pump on my 1957 Ford wagon with a 312.  Drips off the cover of the pump.  I've had the pan off in the not too distant past and the seal for the oil pick up is fresh and snug and seems not the source of the leak.  I also resealed the pump to the block at one time .  I see they make a rebuild kit for the pumps but it makes more sense to me to do a replacement instead of trying to rehabilitate an old pump.
I would appreciate any thoughts or advice as to how to proceed.  Also any suggestions on one pump over another of the pumps that are available.

Thanks
Jeff

Jeff Petersen

See if this helps at all  - https://www.eatonbalancing.com/2022/01/15/ford-y-block-oil-pumps/

Does the engine seem to have good pressure?

Maybe blow-off the area with brake clean and determine exactly where to leakage is coming from? If holding proper pressure, maybe consider just re-sealing the pump?

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Thank you for the link, it was very interesting.  I learned that I do have the Gerotor style pump.  Yes the engine seems to have adequate oil pressure. 

Jeff Petersen

Assuming it is indeed the oil pump being the source of the oil leak, then the ‘O’ ring at the oil pump cover would be at the top of the list.  The cover can be removed from the pump without actually removing the pump from the engine.  Check that the four cover bolts are tight before removing the cover.  If removing the cover, then check it for straightness or heavy scoring once removed.  Then examine the O ring for brittleness, compressibility, or anything that would keep it from sealing to the cover.  Then check the oil pump housing where the cover attaches.  It’s not unusual for the ‘ears’ where the bolts attached to be distorted due to overtightening.

The gasket between the oil pump and the block is another consideration.  I have seen a situation where the wrong oil pump gasket for the pump was being used and that was causing a leak.  Another possibility would be the oil pump bolts being too long subsequently bottoming out which can have the pump being insufficiently tightened to the block.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)