I’m replacing my front cover and wanted to move the oil pump from my old cover to a replacement cover. When I removed the old cover the innermost oil pump gear was stuck on the crankshaft but I was able to slide it off.

So I swap everything good, put the innermost gear back with the set and line things up with the woodruff key. However when I went to put the cover back on, the innermost gear was pushed out the front and I can’t get it back in.

I didn’t think anything of it at the time until I had buttoned everything back up. Is it possible to slide it back in from the front or am I screwed?

 

Same thing happens to me every time. You can just slide it on with the front cover installed.

 

I’m having a hell of a time with it. Spent at least 3 hours today and can’t get it lined up right

 

Ok I think I got it. I used an inspection camera to make sure everything was lined up and spaced properly but it still wouldn't go in. So I finally got the spark I needed. I split apart the old oil pump inner gear and used it and a hammer to tapped it into place. It went in without much force. So I either got it, or completely f'd my oil pump.