Is the oil pump pickup suppose to swivel on a 1944 Farmall A

[claystroup]

I was given a 1944 Farmall A by my father in law 2 weeks ago and have begun to do PM on it to try and get it in good running order. On Sunday I drained the engine oil which was some of the worst looking oil/sludge I have ever seen in my 57 years. My father in law purchased the tractor last May at an auction for $600 so he has no service history on it. I have put 2-3 hours run time on it since and it runs pretty good for its age. So after draining the oil I put the drain plug back in and poured a gallon of diesel fuel in and let it sit over night. I drained it tonight and it came out black. Stuck my little finger in the drain hole to see if I could feel any sludge/etc. I felt the screen on the oil pump pickup tube and I was able to push it up about 3/4" like it was on a swivel. Is this normal or should it not move?

[Jim Becker]

Normal. It is intended to float on top of the oil and avoid whatever settles to the bottom.

[claystroup]

Thanks for the info on the pivoting oil pump pickup. I didn't really feel like dropping the oil pan if I didn't have to - Clay