Oil pikup tube question

[fritz]

I have the pan off to replace the old rope seal. The oil pu tube looked like it needed to be replaced, so I checked at the local GM parts. They told me the 84-85 pu was not available, but the 86-87 was. I checked in the Postons catalog & it indicated the tube was the same 78-87. So I called Tony at Postons to verrify that the 86-87 tube will work in my 84. He said "they are all the same pu tube". So I just ordered it(GM#25505644) from GM. Got it today. Looks big time different. Also looks like it would fit in the pan sump about 1" shallower.
Anyone have any experience here?? Don't want a mistake with oil supply.

 

[tb3]

I too ran into the same problem when recently changing my pan gasket and rear main. I removed the pickup tube because the screen had lots of junk in it (mostly gasket crap). I figured replacing would be cheap, and they are, however, when I went to the parts store, the one they brought to me looked entirely differant (a bit shorter if I remember correctly). After doing some searching around in their books, they came up with one that matched length wise, but I noticed it did not have a bypass in it. I figure its better to pick up dirty oil vs. no oil at all if the metal screen gets clogged. So I took mine to work and soaked it in the parts cleaner for awhile and cleaned the screen out with a toothbrush. (unfortunetely, I have a bad aftertaste now after I brush my teeth)(ha ha, that was a bad joke). After cleaning it, I blew it out with compressed air. Now its like new again. Problem solved. I hope its that easy for you. If you don't have a parts cleaner tank, then you could probably use some aerosol brake cleaner, or could just use some dish soap and soak it in the sink. (your wife will love you for it). Just be sure and coat it with engine oil right after washing it. Don't forget to put a new gasket on too, Very important!

 

[fritz]

pan removal

did you guys have to lift the motor to get the pan off?. I could not get my pan off. so i removed the pu tube & let it fall into the pan. Now I can't get the pan back on with the tube in place. I thought that the tube might be bent. Thats why I ordered the new one, which is not the same . I can see looking at the 86-87 pu tube that R&R of the oil pan should be easy. Question is, can I safely use the 86-87 pu in my 84

 

[tb3]

You shouldn't have to lift the motor. It might make it tough if your motor mounts are really worn. I don't know about the 86/87 pickup compatibility. I would imagine the concern would be if there is any differances in the pans with the diffferant model years. There where 14 bolt and 20 bolt pans on the turbobuicks. I personally, would just clean up your original pick up tube and reinstall it. I wouldn't take a chance on the clearances between your new pickup and the oil pan you have. I would be concerned of the pickup contacting the pan possibly when its all torqued down, and... I wouldn't want to take a chance on the pickup being to high, or low in that pan. Get the car jacked up and supported nice and high to give yourself plenty of room, it makes it a little easier if you pull the starter, tie back your tranny lines, and take your time, it will go on. You may have to move your gasket around a little bit while your twisting and turning the pan, use minimal (if any) silicone so you don't make a big mess all over everything when the gasket touches other parts (that are probably pretty dirty). and once again, don't forget to install the oil pickup tube gasket, very important. good luck

 

[fritz]

Anyone

use the 86-87 oil pu in their 84?

 

[usetaboost]

well I'll throw in my experience, what little I have but we all learn. I took my tube from my 87 motor and used it on my 82 block with a 14 bolt pan with no baffle. Fit just fine. Have fun trying to find exactly what u want. I ordered all 7 I think, tubes and not a single one was right. I'm starting to think my motor come from a riviera but who knows.