well first let me update the situation..

86 se 2.8 that is getting a 3.2 put in...(ARI kit)

i am putting a new oil pump in but however usin my old pickup tube and screen, they are clean, not bent, and nothing gooey or nasty in or on them...i put it on the oil pump, with a tiny dab locktite to keep it still, line it all up and the right angle and such, pretty snug fit.
now i am asking in terms of assurnace to keeping the tube in....does it need to be tack welding or my father had the idea of using a medium gauge copper wire to wrap tightly around it and around the pump. hes done it before on older engines when he was younger and had no problems...any input or ideas?

also, what is everyones feelings on using th e blue RTV sealant for gaskets? i know some sort of sealant is needed and i was going to use this on the cork and rubber oil pan gaskets i have. but my father recommended using NAPA High-Tack on the paper type gaskets that i have for the water pump and timing cover. Anyone have any experiences or suggestions on this?

im taking my time with this engine and making sure everything is right the first time before i mess it up and have to redo anything...sorry if any of the questions i ask are too obvious or other what "dumb", but im in the learning phase and have many different people preaching different schools of thought on me about this engine build....

quote Originally posted by sublime922: my father had the idea of using a medium gauge copper wire to wrap tightly around it and around the pump. hes done it before on older engines when he was younger and had no problems...any input or ideas?

I've done this with no problems at all, and aside from tacking the tube in place, its my recommendation.

quote also, what is everyones feelings on using th e blue RTV sealant for gaskets? i know some sort of sealant is needed and i was going to use this on the cork and rubber oil pan gaskets i have. but my father recommended using NAPA High-Tack on the paper type gaskets that i have for the water pump and timing cover. Anyone have any experiences or suggestions on this?

I've used either way with good results. I prefer to use the high-tack with paper just because it seems like it would hold up better, but I've never had a problem with either.

[This message has been edited by Rainman (edited 03-29-2004).]

I've heard bad results with using the rtv on the waterpump. Has something to do with the fact that the goop creates a thickness that might not seal right in someplaces. The papergaskets supplied with most pumps are adaquate enough, and tend not to leak by themselves.

On the oil pump tube, wire feed a small spot weld from the pump to the tube (about 1/8" long weld). Do not get carried away and try to weld it more, it will heat distort it. Any other way might work, but might fall off.

High tack on the paper gaskets is fine.

Most modern gaskets are better off dry. As long as you are using high end gaskets (fel pro) the only spots you need to put RTV on is the corners where the gaskets meat each other.

Tack welding is best for the pickup tube. The wire will hold it on, but may not prevent it from rotating downward against the bottom of the pan and possibly restricting the flow.

Use as little RTV as possible. It can destroy Oxygen sensors in during the curing process (the regular, vinegar smelling RTV- they do make sensor safe RTV) and it can come lose anf form little gummy worms that can clog the oil pump. Like was mentioned previously, High Tack on the paper gaskets is fine, witha dab of sillycone at the corners.

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1986 SE 350 V8

ok sounds good...thanks for the advice everyone...things should start coming together a little faster now