yes the flared in end is bottom to stop ball falling out, i dont think it has a spring in there holding ball down,ball is just there for when engine stops,ball falls to bottom and seals/holding oil in the pump. locktight might be ok,but id be worried it might come loose,it would only fall into the sump and oil in sump will fill up to much untill pump picks it up, but motor will blow lot of smoke/to much oil splashing around, id try find another pump on ebay,or get it brazed back on,but might worp the bottom plate,but prob cheaper to try that before buying another pump,, norm see them on ebay....a few different models used those...