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I'm rebuilding an engine and I noticed one out of three oil pickups I had laying around had thick string attached to the bottom part that pops off. I'm not sure how it was installed or what it did. Doesn't look that important considering I've taken apart several before and never seen this before and seems like it could ruin the engine if it started to come undone. Should I leave it out? If it's critical can someone explain how to situate it so it does what it needs to do.

Thanks.
Dave

I think it was a gasket to seal the oil float pickup lid or cover. Mine had what was left of it too. I left it out. All the other engines I've cleaned up didn't have it and are fine. Amazing how much crap sits in there huh? John

Thanks John.

Yes it's amazing. The best was when I found part of a Ductape shim bubba used to adjust crank end play sitting in the pickup screen.

Yep,

Just like finding bozo's RTV in the oil intake screen or RTV on exaust manifold ports!

RTV has it's place, but definately not anywhere near gasoline. My M37 gave me fits because the Dumb Previous Owner (DPO) Sealed the pickup assembly to the top of the fuel tank with it. The ring that squished out and fell off inside the tank, was no wider than a thread when I dryed it. When soaked in gas, it was the same diameter as my fuel line. It sucked it all the way up and through the elbow on top of the tank . I was deep in the woods when the engine quit or ran out of gas. Luckily I had my tools with. The firewood I was loading in the back was not yet to the box access cover . I had to remove the string twice before I got it all. It measured about 10 inches long. When I write the book this event will be in chapter 29. It's a large book! John