joeveto

Hey all, I'm in the midst of a cam swap (have been for some time) and I'm dropping the pan. With 106K, should I change out the oil pump? The pressure in this car is fine (knock on wood). From what I can tell, it's been very well cared for.

I'd like to just leave it alone.

What would you guys do?

vader86

Its hard to put a mileage limit on it, the SBC Oil pump is one of the things Chevrolet did right. Mine lasted about 135K, then I noticed idle pressure problems.

It could last over 200K, if youre lucky.

Corvette Kid

Yes, way too many varibles to put a number on it. I wish they had a bolt on pick-up though! Usually by the time an oil pump starts flaking out it's time for a lot of other things, bearings, timing chain, if not a complete rebuild.


[Modified by Corvette Kid NC, 11:03 PM 4/14/2004]

chriswtx

IF you are droping the pan, I would replace it. They are cheap enough to buy that I would do it just like preventitive maintainence. Don't think about it "Just do it"... :p:


[Modified by chriswtx, 10:24 PM 4/14/2004]

Corvette Kid

Yes and I would seriously consider slapping in a set of bearings, too. If I had done that with my cam swap at 93,000 it would have saved me a overhaul not too long after.

chriswtx

yes bearings are cheap too. The rods are pretty easy to do with the engine in the car, the main bearings are a little tricky but if it apart anyway, why not you would have a fresh bottom end for about $100 in parts. :D


[Modified by chriswtx, 10:35 PM 4/14/2004]

SPEED750

The oil pump is nothing but 2 gears meshing together. If the shaft doesn't brake or the pick-up doesn't fall off, it should last forever. But $40 for a high volume pump is cheap insurance. :chevy

chriswtx

You dont need the high volume pump, just go with the factory high pressure pump

Corvette Kid

When changing mains, either do one at a time or do the three centers and then the two ends (or vise-versa.) Never loosen all 5 at once or you could damage the crank seals, of course the front one is not an issue in your case. Also, if you did not already have the front torn down I would tell you to loosen the engine belts. It makes rolling the top mains out and back in easier.

Atok

Leave it alone. When I removed the old engine from my truck (about 120k of hard work) I checked the wear on the oil pump. It was still well within GM specs, virtually no wear at all. I then compared it with a new pump, the difference was 0.001 or less on all measurements.

GM oil pumps just don't wear out, the main/cam bearings will wear out long before the pump.

chriswtx

They are very reliable but like I said they are cheap and it good insurance when your engine sees 6500rpm with that new cam.

SBNova

I have a rule of thumb- never see your oil pump without changing it. Same with timing chains. They are too cheap to leave used, too labor intensive to change later.

Oil pumps rarely wear out. They are two gears on shafts meshing together, but they have end play which worsens with use as they grind into the base and end plate, and the same with side clearance. Usually when an engine loses ol pressure its because of bearings. Installing a new pump can crutch the problem due to tighter tolerances, but its just a bandaid for worn bearings. Pumps are like $25 for a melling- just get a new one. Keep the standard volume or you can suck the pan dry. HV's are for extra capactiy pans. You can pump oil up quicker with a HV, but it still drains back at the same rate. You need the extra cap. with the HV.

Atok

Good point. :iagree: