To replace or not to replace: oil pump drive (LT1)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 244
To replace or not to replace: oil pump drive (LT1)
I'll be replacing the oil pump and main/rod bearings as cheap insurance to keep the bottom end together for the ported heads/cam. Should the oil pump drive be replaced at the same time? Of course the easy answer is yes, but I am on a budget - what is the norm for this kind of work? I plan on limiting the revs to 6000-6300 and I anticipate 350-370 rwhp.
Has anyone had a failure of this part? The current motor has 110k miles.
Has anyone had a failure of this part? The current motor has 110k miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
I'll be replacing the oil pump and main/rod bearings as cheap insurance to keep the bottom end together for the ported heads/cam. Should the oil pump drive be replaced at the same time? Of course the easy answer is yes, but I am on a budget - what is the norm for this kind of work? I plan on limiting the revs to 6000-6300 and I anticipate 350-370 rwhp.
Has anyone had a failure of this part? The current motor has 110k miles.
Has anyone had a failure of this part? The current motor has 110k miles.
Check it for abnormal amounts of wear on the gear and looseness in the shaft/housing.
As long as it checks out good feel free to re-use it... just don't use a 3/4" drive impact to install it.
If you want/need to buy a new one they are availiable from GM parts counter and only cost about $40.00.
Will
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 244
Most failures I see on the LTX composite oil pump drive is from people over tightening the retaining bolt and cracking the ear off the housing.
Check it for abnormal amounts of wear on the gear and looseness in the shaft/housing.
As long as it checks out good feel free to re-use it... just don't use a 3/4" drive impact to install it.
If you want/need to buy a new one they are availiable from GM parts counter and only cost about $40.00.
Will
Check it for abnormal amounts of wear on the gear and looseness in the shaft/housing.
As long as it checks out good feel free to re-use it... just don't use a 3/4" drive impact to install it.
If you want/need to buy a new one they are availiable from GM parts counter and only cost about $40.00.
Will
I'm a big fan of my torque wrench and tightening fasteners to spec so hopefully overtorqueing won't be an issue. I guess I'll inspect it upon disassembly. I don't know what I'm looking for as far as wear and tear unless it is obvious so I will likely post pics when the time comes and ask for input. I was expecting a bigger price tag than $40 though.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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For $40 bones, I'd go ahead and replace it. With my luck, the pump drive would fail as soon as I got everything buttoned down again...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
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From: Colleyville Texas
My oil pump drive shaft went out going down the track. Oil pressure went to 0 instantly. Shut it down and towed it home. No other damage.
Going from memory but it seems like the shop said changing cams tends to enhance failures since there is a different wear pattern? Not sure if the GM part is the best way to go with different cam.
Going from memory but it seems like the shop said changing cams tends to enhance failures since there is a different wear pattern? Not sure if the GM part is the best way to go with different cam.
