Hi guys, in the process of rebuilding my 454 Alpha engine I have come across a problem. The oil pump I have should have a gasket but this is not shown on any parts catalogue that I can find.

A new Mercruiser pump is too expensive so am considering aftermarket.

The engine is fairly standard so do you know which might be the best ona budget for me?

the oil pump to main cap dont use a gasket, you want to use a melling mel.10778c

X2 on the 10778C Good harty pump..

Have a look at the Moroso 22162, IMO, it's a grade up compared to the melling previously mentioned.

Melling 10778c is what I use. There is no gasket between the pump and main bearing cap, however, there is an O ring.

The gasket was not between the pump and the block, it was on the top of the pump itself.

Are these pumps mentioned a straight bolt on, or do you need to fit a special pick up?

Your oil pan will dictate what pick up you will need to run. Any standard type oil pump pick up will fit the Melling 10778c pumps.

I will be running the standard sump, so how will I know if a particular pick up will work?

you remove the old pick up off the old pump,install the melling pump, install the pick up tube you removed, adjust the pick up tube to the correct dimensions per the bottom of the oil pan,,make sure everything clears, remove oil pump and pickup in one piece,weld the pick up to the pump so the pick up dont fall off from crashing through waves..

Mount the oil pump, fit the p/u to pump, install pan gasket. Then I use a little piece of modeling clay, play dough or wax and make a 1/2" ball out of it and stick to the highest point of the pickup. Install pan and put a couple of bolts in and lightly torque. Remove pan, I like to see the clay smashed to 3/16" to know the clearance of the pickup in relation to the bottom of the pan. Repeat the process until you get the clearance correct. Then remove the pump assy. and tack weld pick in place. Do not weld the crap out of it as you may warp the pump cover. Cover it up well as not to get slag from welding anywhere into the pump or pickup. I personally remove the cover b-4 tack welding the pickup to the pump if I use that method. In most marine applictions I remove the pump cover and drill and tap for a set screw, Green locktite the pickup into the pump housing after clearancing, then green locktite a set screw into the housing and retain the pickup that way. Your call. Just my way I like to do it , then I can inspect the pump clearance while apart and make sure all is good b-4 installation. I never reuse a pickup though...