Should I replace the oil pump?

TitanTn

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I pulled my inboard engine to do some work to the boat, but I want to do some maintenance to the engine while it's out. The engine ran great all last year with no issues. I'm hoping to not pull the engine out again for many years, so I'm thinking about pulling the oil pan and replacing the gaskets. Should I also replace the oil pump? I've never had one go out, but obviously it'd be a bad thing if it did. Is this just overkill?

The engine is a 7.4L from a 1986 boat. Everything runs great, but I don't know a lot of history on the engine either. Thanks.
 

Bondo

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,...

Generally speakin',... An oil pump will last as long, or longer than the whole motor...
 

robert graham

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

On a 25 year old motor, while it's out, maybe good preventive maintenance to replace the oil pump, clean the pick-up screen, replace timing gears and chain, the rear main seal, maybe the valve seals, clean/brush oil return passages, inspect the flywheel teeth for wear, check compression for valves and rings.... May as well do it right while you have it out! Good Luck!:)
 

cr2k

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

If you do replace it use a high volume oil pump NOT a high pressure.
 

Bt Doctur

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

CR2K, ONLY if you also install the 12 qt pan.4 qts gets sucked up rather quickly
The standard pump is all you ever need
 

Don S

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

On a 25 year old motor, while it's out, maybe good preventive maintenance to replace the oil pump, clean the pick-up screen, replace timing gears and chain, the rear main seal, maybe the valve seals, clean/brush oil return passages, inspect the flywheel teeth for wear, check compression for valves and rings.... May as well do it right while you have it out! Good Luck!:)

Removing an engine to work on something is not usually a big deal, and in and out normally takes between 2 and 8 hours. Total rebuild of a good running engine just because it's out of the boat is a waste of time and money IMHO.
 

RogersJetboat454

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

It's easy to play the what-if game from both sides here.

My vote..

Leave it alone. The bearings will usually become terminal and check out long before the oil pump. :)
 

Bondo

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

It's easy to play the what-if game from both sides here.

My vote..

Leave it alone. The bearings will usually become terminal and check out long before the oil pump. :)


Ayuh,.... The stock oil pumps are More than adequate...

I'd fix whatever it needs, 'n scope out the rest of the motorbox/ bilge to see if anything needs attention, 'n slap it back in....
 

TitanTn

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards the "don't over do it" crowd since everything is running fine. I'm going to pull the oil pan to inspect and clean for sure. glad to know that the pump can outlast the engine and it makes sense that the bearings will definitely go first. And removing the engine isn't tough, but it is a little bit of a hassle.
 

joewithaboat

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

I'm with most of the others and would generally say "if not broken don't fix it"
I would however have a look at 1 or 2 rod and main bearings while the pan is off. Proper re-torque is a must if removed!!
Stock engine needs nothing more than a stock oil pump. Timing chain is worth replacing, bound to have some hours on it. That vintage i bet its a nylon coated top sprocket and ill bet the chain has some slop.

Good luck!
 

netting one

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Just my 2cents: Im a maintance guy so it couldnt be easier out of the boat! You didnt mention the hrs but the year is going against you. I would do all the gaskets, oil pan,timing cover seal and chain ,rear main, oil pump, new head gaskets,(maybe take heads to machine shop and have them checked, intake and valve covers and exhaust! To me oil leaks are the worst and would hate to pull the motor out again in the summer good months. There are some important steps on reasembly so watch what you do there. timing chain,head torgue,valve adjustment,engine timing. Do a good tune up and no worrys in the summer. dan
 

robert graham

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Removing an engine to work on something is not usually a big deal, and in and out normally takes between 2 and 8 hours. Total rebuild of a good running engine just because it's out of the boat is a waste of time and money IMHO.

A new oil pump and screen, timing gear and chain, rear main seal, check/replace valve seals, wouldn't be considered a "total rebuild" It all depends on the history of the motor and how much longer he's going to keep running it. But while the 25 year old motor is out on the floor, it's a great time to update/upgrade a few "wearable" items like seals, etc. ;)
 

TitanTn

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Thanks again guys. I'm working on tearing it down right now and will decide on my course of action as I see what things looks like. There are only 500 hours on the motor, so it hasn't seen a lot of use. So far everything is looking pretty tight. I'll probably get to pulling the pan tomorrow night.
 

robert graham

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Thanks again guys. I'm working on tearing it down right now and will decide on my course of action as I see what things looks like. There are only 500 hours on the motor, so it hasn't seen a lot of use. So far everything is looking pretty tight. I'll probably get to pulling the pan tomorrow night.

500 hours seems pretty darn low for a 25 year old motor....if it's been maintained and the oil changed regularly, then maybe just drop the oil pan and remove the valve covers to check for sludge, etc. Good Luck!:)
 

TitanTn

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

I'd replace the starter while it's out!!

Actually the starter is right on top and probably the easiest thing to remove from the engine while it's still in the boat. I'd love to just replace the starter, alternator, etc., but the budget insists that I remain frugal.
 

dubs283

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

I'd love to just replace the starter, alternator, etc., but the budget insists that I remain frugal.

if money is an issue why are you considering replacing parts that aren't faulty??

tune-up parts are maintenance replacement parts, oil pan gaskets and oil pumps are not

i understand that you are going as far to remove the engine and want to do some extra stuff, fine...but why spend limited dollars on something that isn't broken??

just save the dough for things that will fail - blowers, bilge pumps, tune-up parts, water pump, lights, buff and wax, trailer parts, etc...
 

TitanTn

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

if money is an issue why are you considering replacing parts that aren't faulty??

Because I'm doing preventative maintenance on items that are more difficult to get to. Someone else suggested the starter. I'm not replacing items that don't need replacing and are easy to get to. I'm considering replacement of wear items that are more accessible while the engine is out. So $30 for an oil pump and $10 for a gasket set doesn't seem like a bad idea since the motor is already out.
 

natemoore

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

I pre-emptively replaced the oil pump on my '87 engine while it was out for a rebuild even though oil pressure was good before. I equate it to replacing the water pump while you're doing a timing belt job (on a car). Since you've got it torn apart, may as well....
 

RogersJetboat454

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Re: Should I replace the oil pump?

Because I'm doing preventative maintenance on items that are more difficult to get to. Someone else suggested the starter. I'm not replacing items that don't need replacing and are easy to get to. I'm considering replacement of wear items that are more accessible while the engine is out. So $30 for an oil pump and $10 for a gasket set doesn't seem like a bad idea since the motor is already out.

An oil pump is not something I would generally classify as a "wear item". As stated before, your bearings along with several other parts of the engine are more likely to wear out before your pump. I would be willing to bet you if you pulled apart the pump and measured the clearance between the gears, its still well with-in factory specifications. It's your money though.... Just hope the new pump isn't a dud. ;)
 
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