Reply to "Oil Pump Drive Shaft - ARP or OEM"

After 15 years of exposure to this question, I have read arguments on both sides that make sense to me.

I personally believe the basis for this entire discussion was formed around the reality that the stock ford rubber valve stem seals were destined, over time and with the subsequent heat exposure, to lose their elasticity, thus hardening and becoming very brittle, and then ultimately breaking into tiny pieces. Those tiny pieces made their way through the oil passages and through the oil pump screen causing the pump to jam, with the shearing of the distributor gear pin being the common result.

Some opinions apparently feel the stronger driveshaft may help the pump chew through the small pieces? The other viewpoint perhaps feels that a jammed oil pump should cause some failure - and subsequent engine shut down – rather than pumping small, chewed up pieces through the oil passages.

IMHO, If the Cleveland engine in question is no longer using the OEM rubber valve stem seals, I can see no advantage or disadvantage to either a stock driveshaft or the stronger after market versions.

Flame suit on.

Larry