In the past couple of weeks, I've been disassembling the 350 out of my 72 Malibu, preparing for the rebuild. Well, when I took off the oil pan and looked at the oil pump filter, all these little pieces of white plastic fell out of it, where the screen is. They look as though it was something that has been broken into little pieces. My question, what in the hell was in this engine??? Everything looks good in the engine, crank bearings look good, nothing looks scrapped. Any ideas or input welcomed.

I guess it's the cam timing gear. The nylon coated gears tend to disentigrate.

Or some of the oil pump shafts had a white plastic collar, which is more likely. Hey man, it's plastic, don't worry.

If someone ever did the timing chain (hint! is yours double roller?) and didn't take the pan off...
Most likely cam gear bits.

Good thing there's a spring eh?

Dave

If someone ever did the timing chain (hint! is yours double roller?) and didn't take the pan off...
Most likely cam gear bits.

Good thing there's a spring eh?

Dave

OOPS! I meant screen!!!!

When I tore down my 71 350 I ran into the same thing. Turned out to be the connecting collar on the oil pump shaft.

Steve

Always replace the oil pump shaft with one with the steel collar. The steel collar is pined on the shaft. I also think it's the plastic collar you found.

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ACES #2637
TEAM CHEVELLE #69

yep,
Its the drive collar or the nylon from timing gear,one word of wizdom,clean all your oil passages,although you have a pump screen,clean them out,some may have got through,after its back together is not a good time to find out. hope this helps.good luck on that rebuild. 67rat member #199