Quote Originally Posted by BamaNomad View Post
I've always braized the pickup tube into the pump plate (NOT the assembled pump), and I've never had any issues getting the pickup tube into the plate. After braizing the pickup I then use fine sandpaper on a thick piece of flat glass to ensure the surface of the plate is flat and will seal properly. When I assemble a pump, I also use the glass/fine paper to smooth all the flat rub surfaces of the pump parts and deburr/sand the edges. On assembly I use molybdenum disulfide grease on all the rub surfaces. I think these steps help to ensure that one never has a pump issue.

BUT.. I'd still like to see a photo of your 'tool' for inserting the pickup, As well as a photo of the 'pickup retention clamp' you refer to...
Bama-

Here is the tool for driving on the pick-up:

Attachment 9362
Attachment 9363

And here is the retainer that I got from Jegs:

Attachment 9364

I use the driver and retainer on every pump I put in after I set the pick-up to pan gap. For that I made a tool that is the depth of the pan and I set the pick-up about 3/8th off the sump bottom. Some guys use modeling clay but I dont want that crap in the pick-up mesh.

Scorp