oil pump replacment big block

[magnumsebring]

I ran across a 1972 SSP with a big block 400 while looking for some parts for my Sebring Build
It was to good to pass up- So I drug it home
I need to swapp out the oil pump ( the oil pump shaft sheared off in the pump)
My question is what the easiest way to pull the pan for the oil pump swap?
It has dual exhaust- cast iron exhaust manifolds
will post some pics
Thanks

[droptop]

The oil pump bolts to the lower left side of the block on B and RB engines. Remove the dist and drive gear, and then unbolt the pump. It might be a good idea to put a magnetic oil drain plug in.

[magnumsebring]

I already pulled dist and shaft
wanted to know the easyist way to get pan off
Jack motor up? Do I need to remove linkage?
Just thought someone might have pulled a pan off while motor was in the car and had any advice
Greg

[1bluegtx]

If it is a big block (dist. in front of motor) you do not have to pull the pan to change the oil pump.the pump is bolted to the outside of the block,drivers side below water pump.If you insist on removing the oil pan it can be done by raising the motor a little and removing the tie rod center link.

BRIAN

[magnumsebring]

I have never owned or worked on a big block
I have only worked on 318-340 and 360s
I didnot want remove the oil pan- Thought I had to- to get to pump
Thanks guys
Greg

[moparite]

You might want to check out the motor more closely. What caused the shaft to snap? what other damage did it cause? especially if you don't know it's history. Motors that have never been tore down always need things. They are going on (or are) 40 years old! Other than the normal wear things, bearings ,timing chain etc. The old big blocks used a plastic covered timing gear. The plastic breaks off and is found in the pan. Another issue is the oil passages going to the rocker arm clog up with cam bearing material. If you pull the rocker arm shaft off look at the oil passage in the rocker arm post(second from the front of the motor). You will most likely see a grayish colored goo there. It is cam material that wears off over the years. Oil pressure comes up from the bottom of the second cam bearing. The cam has two cross drilled holes in it to let the oil flow to each rocker arm. This is just a few things i found on late 60's big blocks when i tore them down to rebuild. The motors where clean(no sludge) with minimal wear(for their age). I'd take care of all it's issues before you take it out for a ride and have something go south.