Ok, so the book says to always replace the oil pump during a rebuild. I'm assembling my 383 for the 2nd time. I took my stock pump apart, it's pretty simple, 2 gears and a housing with a melling drive shaft and coupler. I don't have a problem spending $40 or $50 on a new one, but this one shows no significant wear and who knows how good the replacement will be. Anyone have comments on this? Thanks!

 

...but how many miles are on the pump?

 

The pump is stock original, about 80,000

 

Don't even bother with that just get a new one.

 

Just a small amount of wear on the pump (not visable by eye) can cause a loss of pressure, so its really not worth the risk.

 

I beg to differ. The oil pump is the most well-lubricated part of the engine. And with only 80,000 miles, the pump itself is likely in good shape. I wouldn't hesitate to reuse it (depending on his build specs), as long as he replaces the plastic coupler on the drive shaft.

 

Well lubricated, yes, but it also gets oil b/f its filtered. I'm not arguing, he could probabaly get by with the old one (I would recommend replacing the spring too if he does) but its just too cheap not to replace IMO.

 

I would replace it.

 

I guess Its up to the owner if he wants to reuse a part as vital as an oil pump but that was just my opinion, if it was my car I would just replace it.

 

Thanks for the input guys, One point that concerns me is choosing between a proven part that exhibits no appreciable wear or defect and trusting my engine to a replacement unproven part that could have a manufacturing defect.

 

Or perhaps you could say a part that is 80k miles old and may fail at any time... You are also judging "no appreciable wear" by the naked eye.

Get a Melling 10554, add the white GM spring and be done with it.

 

i had the gear in the top of the motor shear off on my lock my oil pump up. and luckily i noticed the loss of oil press. (due to my LED wired to my idiot light lol. shut the motor off and almost wiped out my entire motor. all becuase when i did my 383 i didnt replace it all. my suggest. would be to replace it all. its not worth losing a motor over a small part.

 

If I go with the 10554, do I need a new pickup for a stock pan?

 

X2 With it being a relatively inexpesive part to replace on a new build, why leave it in there?

 

I reused my factory pickup and welded it on.

 

You should never reuse the screen (unless you are going to weld it on). If reused, it should also be checked to be sure it is clean.

GM pickup tube, 12550042 for a stock pan.

 

That's what I just did as Im going thru my engine rebuild.
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