Bit of a backward step this yesterday. Got the short block back to my unit and installed the BDE engine mounts, water pump etc. After spending a ridiculous amount of time clearing the crank timing gear (wasnโt smooth going on the crank snout) I span her over to start working out true TDC, when I felt a gear like notchyness at a certain point in rotation. Given it was smooth as silk when I span it over prior to pump install, I instantly thought oil pump. Removed the sump and pump, and all spins over smoothly again. Pump was a replacement sent by EPR immediately after its failure, and clearly wasnโt new as it had very little assembly lube inside it. Having taken it apart I can see it galling inside the pump on the leading edge of the small gear, so in the bin that goes and a new pump on orderโฆ.. dear lord theyโve got expensive!!