The stock GM windage tray on my 1972 350 is held in place, in addition to studs on main bearing cap bolts, by the oil pump mounting bolt. Removing the oil pump mounting bolt to remove the tray will cause the oil pump to drop unless you make arrangements to hold the pump in place while the bolt is out.
I mention this because if the oil pump is removed, I believe there could be the risk that the alignment of the oil pump drive shaft into the pump could be disturbed. This could cause the need to remove the distributor to reinstall and regain alignment, and then re-time.
This isn't an issue if the distributor is already out of the engine. In my case, I was only working on the bottom half of the engine, and any distributor and timing work would have been additional steps that I really didn't need to perform.
I mention this because if the oil pump is removed, I believe there could be the risk that the alignment of the oil pump drive shaft into the pump could be disturbed. This could cause the need to remove the distributor to reinstall and regain alignment, and then re-time.
This isn't an issue if the distributor is already out of the engine. In my case, I was only working on the bottom half of the engine, and any distributor and timing work would have been additional steps that I really didn't need to perform.
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