They are putting the oil pump into the timing cover aka 3800 series II and III. It is driven by the crankshaft snout with 2 flats machined and matched to the oil pump. Timing is controlled by crankshaft and camshaft sensors information, sent to the computer, and fires the appropriate ignition coil...Lt1 motors have the distributor located between the water pump and timing cover, directly driven by the camshaft...I'm open to correction on that last fact, by anyone knowledgeable...Hope that answered your question...Cheers!
