A buddy of mine sent his 409cid out to be rebuilt got it back as a short block and put the rest together. He asked me to get it running . when i went to prime the motor i found that the guys that built the motor forgot to install the oil pump shaft therefor i could not prime it and it is all ready in the car trans hooked up ready to go.... Can i install the oil pump shaft from the top dist. hole as long as everything is lined up right or do i have to drop the pan if there is enough room if not the motor will have to come out?????????

No the shaft can not go down though the top the pan and pump will have to come off to do it right.

Drop the pan.

And if they forgot the pump shaft, I would sure wonder if they set the pick-up off the bottom right too??

And use one that has a steel sleeve instead of the cheap nylon jobber..

pdq67

WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 409 pump shaft just MIGHT be there afterall. Here is why.
If you are trying to prime the 409 pump and you are using a STOCK length SB/BB type dist or priming tool, that is why it won't engage the 409 pump shaft.
The 348-409 engines have a LONGER dist that what was used in a SB or BB. Consequently, IF, JUST IF, the 409 shaft is installed in the pump, then you just need a longer priming tool (such as an old 348-409 dist). So, first, take a good look down in the hole to see if the pump shaft is there.

WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 409 pump shaft just MIGHT be there afterall. Here is why.
If you are trying to prime the 409 pump and you are using a STOCK length SB/BB type dist or priming tool, that is why it won't engage the 409 pump shaft.
The 348-409 engines have a LONGER dist that what was used in a SB or BB. Consequently, IF, JUST IF, the 409 shaft is installed in the pump, then you just need a longer priming tool (such as an old 348-409 dist). So, first, take a good look down in the hole to see if the pump shaft is there.
Ok so your saying that a SB/BB dist is different then a 348/409 motor? kool so if i pull out the dist out of my 348 motor on the stand i shound be able to tell.... That would be great and thank you for the good info.......

That is correct, a SB/BB dist is SHORTER than a 348/409 dist. AND, JUST IF that is what you are using as a priming tool, then it won't reach the 409 intermediate shaft (of course, that is it the shaft is in place).