Cam sync stuck on oil pump drive

[tmm313psu]

Unfortunately when removing my can sync to replace it, the oil pump drive shaft came with it as one unit. It will not stay in the new sync enough to put it back in as one unit. I tried to put just the shaft in but I'm not sure I got it in right. Any suggestions? How much of a pain is it to drop the oil pan and pump? What if I fire it up as is? If the shaft is not in the pump will it do damage where it is at? Any help is greatly appreciated.
2000 explorer 4.0 ohv 4wd

 

[SoNic67]

You have 4WD. The front end is in the way of removing the oil pan. Also the steering rack is right against the pan.
You need to remove the engine to get access to the pump.
Or drop the front end and raise the engine just a few inches to clear the oil pump (is in front of pan). That of course means the the exaust manifolds need to come out from block - that's the hardest part.
I did pay somebody to replace the oil pump and that's what he did.

 

[snoranger]

You have 4WD. The front end is in the way of removing the oil. Also the steering rack is right against the pan.
You need to remove the engine to get access to the pump.
Or drop the front end and raise the engine just a few inches to clear the oil pump (is in front of pan). That of course means the the exaust manifolds need to come out from block - that's the hardest part.
I did pay somebody to replace the oil pump and that's what he did.

You sure about all that? You sure your not thinking about your v8 as opposed to his v6?

 

[SoNic67]

Well... yes. But he still has the front diff in the way, no?
LE: I checked. Haynes book, for the pushrod 4.0 has the same indications like for my 5.0:

Oil pan and baffle - removal and installation
1. remove the engine from vehicle
2. ....

.

 

[Dono]

yup, oil pan won't come off unless motor comes up. sorry

 

[tmm313psu]

how far up? ive done plenty of 5.0s and 5.8s in trucks that you can jack up and get the pan out. will that work with these? also, is it possible that the oil pump drive fell into place again or is it nearly impossible to do from the top?

 

[SoNic67]

I guess you can be lucky to hit it right... I would also try rotate the shaft by hand moving it with the "flag" of the syncronizer (so you can reach down there).

My mechanic jacked up the engine some 4" - after the front end was down. But that was for a 5.0L.

 

[tmm313psu]

well with much patience and nail biting i was able to get the oil pump drive back into position from the top side. i guided it straight as best as i could and when i could no longer hold onto it i let it drop and crossed my fingers. i heard it hit metal and new that it wasn't the oil pan. i was able to feel it in position right beneath the hole in the block where it needed to be. put everything back together and fired it up, good oil pressure and no weird noises. thanks for the suggestions! hopefully i never have to deal with it again........

 

[SoNic67]

3 points! Good job!

 

[Dono]

I'm impressed! I guess you had nothing to loose by trying ayway.

Congratulations.