360 oil pump

[vpittman]

Hi all,
I'm rebuilding my '76 360 and found that it has a melling m72hv oil pump...

I've read here that the 360 doesn't need the high volume, but higher pressure. But will the high volume pump I have hurt anything ? Should I still add the high pressure spring to make it high volume/high pressure ?

Thanks !

[Cooter]

Careful with that "High Pressure" thing. I've torn down racing engines that had a "high Pressure" pump and it grooved the main and rod bearings.

Pressure isn't needed so much as enough volume. If the engine isn't hurt, the HV pump should provide an increase in pressure as well as volume.
They tends to go hand in hand. But, if the engine is worn out and someone covered up worn parts by installing a HV pump, then all bets are off.

[vpittman]

Thanks Cooter...

When we took it to the machine shop he said the bearings where shot, not due to oil pressure but because the previous owner used anti-sieze... so I'm replacing all the bearings anyway.

Should I go ahead and replace the oil pump as well, with a standard volume ? It's only $30, but if the one I have won't cause any problems its money I don't have to spend. I just don't want to overlook something now that I have it all apart...

Thanks !

[72cudamaan]

If your bearing clearances are good, then there is no need for high pressure. A standard
pump is usually sufficient. A high volume can suck the pan dry and cavitate the pump, so be careful there as well.
And replacing the pump is always recommended as cheap insurance.

[vpittman]

Forgot to mention that I will be going with a 6 qt. oil pan

[Chryco Psycho]

I tend to go the other way , the higher volume can empty the oil pan on a long pull , a friend starved his engine in a Superbird on a top speed run , far longer than a 1/4 mile so I tend to stay with making evry effort to get the oil back to the pan as easily as possible & run with a std volume / high pressure pump

[vpittman]

Thanks everyone,
Think I'll go ahead and get a new standard volume