Tired of the hum from the fuel pump in my 1997. How hard is it to replace the driver side fuel pump and what does it take.

 

I have never replaced the fuel pump but this is a place to start.
https://www.lingenfelter.com/PDFdown...L710650197.pdf

 

 

If you have the skill to change a tire, you have the skill to replace the fuel pump. The hardest part is getting the fuel level low enough so you don't take a bath when you pull the pump. Then you remove the wheel, a couple of nuts or bolts for the shield, and 6 or 8 nuts on the pump. Then reverse the process.

One trick. You must unclip the fuel sending unit base (plastic) from the fuel pump bracket (metal). This will allow you to then place the fuel sender float arm tight against the body of the pump and slide everything in or out of the opening.

Order the part and inspect it to ensure the tabs on the sending unit base are in tact. Then take your car apart. I took my car apart while waiting for the part to ship and was down for a couple of extra days because of the broken tabs.

 

Weren't 97s known for being louder? I don't hear my LPE Walbro, but I have a loud exhaust.

Having done pumps a number of times...

​​​​Go slow and easy.
Drive the car until very empty.
Do replace the gasket and bolts. (I have two brand new sets for sale in the for sale section)
Avoid racetronix pumps. Theirs seem to be having quality control issues in the past two years.
The LPE pumps run great.
***when screwing the 6 bolts back into the cap, be sure you are not doing it at 2am and trying to rush it. I mistook lb-in for lb-ft of torque and stripped the weak threads in the tank. You can't tap them, too shallow. I had to replace my tank. Total fiasco. Lol.

If you want to try a 99 factory pump, I still have mine from two years ago sealed in a bag.

As for changing level sensor, go for it.

As for also opening the passenger side for the siphon pump. Why double your work unless there is a problem?

Do go carefully with the little bolts when reassembling. My Popeye hands messed that up. I would also go ahead and refresh your electrical ground on the frame back there while the wheel well is open.

 

 

I've gotten into the habit of adding Kopr Shield to them to help prevent corrosion or weathering.

 

Don't know if this helps, but on my '98, I noticed increasing pump noise coming from the driver's side. Before ripping things apart, I decided to try a new filter - an easy job on early cars as the filter is in the fuel line and not in the tank. Long story short, a new filter quietened the pump down. I guess it must have been straining against the old filter. That was about 5 years ago. No issue since.

 

Anyone have the part # for the GM gasket anymore? Last part # I had was 124459863 and it doesnt seem to be valid anymore.