oil pump screwed ?

I recently did some testing of oil pressure output using a new HV pump bolted to my 360 block which has the oil output threaded and a 1/2 fitting output going directly to a very high quality gauge and I used 10w30 oil. I tried 2 different springs (stock one and the high pressure one). I can tell you that if you tapped the plug in that far it will most likely excessively high pressure and won't push the plug out on it's own. While doing this test with the stock spring the pressure relieved at 72 psi. Just to see what happened I tapped the plug in approx. .030 and the pressure went up to 75psi. Tapped it in approx .050 more took it up to 80psi so this shows that they are very sensitive to how far you drive in the plug. The high pressure spring relieved at 85 psi. with the retainer drove in just far enough to get in the cotter key. At no time did the oil pressure force the retaining plug back. The high pressure spring is only rated at 21 lbs when compressed which isn't enough to move the retainer.

Sorry to give you bad news Walt but it needs a new plug drove in to the right depth. You can get the plugs at your local NAPA. Their 5/8" dia. and only cost about 50 cents.

Also this is just my .02 but I don't think a high pressure spring is necessary unless your running excessive clearances like in a race engine. Too much oil pressure can actually wipe out your bearings too much like a high pressure washer can take off paint.