I am working on a motor getting it built up for my car. The motor is recently rebuilt and has less than 15K since the rebuild. The motor had good oil pressure and no oil issues. I have the motor out and on a stand. I am going to replace the oil pan and timing cover while it is out.

Should I put in a new oil pump as long as I have access to it?

The one in it worked fine but I have heard people say to replace it when you take the pan off, is this true?

If so should I use a stock replacement or one of those high volume pumps?

What do you think?

 

If you've got a lot of money wrapped up in this motor and it would make you feel more comfortable knowing you replaced, then go for it. Honestly though, I don't think you have anything to worry about if it wasn't giving you any trouble before. My reasoning for this is simple. If removing the oil pan mandated that you must always replace the oil pump when doing so, the dealerships out there would be using that to their advantage to make even more money every time they dropped an oil pan. Since they don't, I guess it isn't mandatory. I hope that helps you out. If you do have a lot of money tied up in the motor, just remember that to much volume could empty your pan, leaving the oil pump pick-up sucking air.

 

If the pump itself has only 15K, I would say it is fine. Especially if the maintenance was properly done it a timely manner. I would change the nylon sleeve on the pump shaft to a metal one if you haven't already done that. I put a nice one from ARP in mine.

Are you using a stock size pan or a larger one? If it is stock size I wouldn't go with a high volume. Instead, spend the money on a windage tray and hardware.

 

Thanks Guys

Good point about the dealerships!

It will be a stock pan. I did not know a high volume could pump the pan dry! I won't mess with one of those.

We took a closer look at the pump and it is a Melling. Those are pretty good pumps so I will just let it be.

But I do appreciate the info, I just want to do this right so I don't have to go back and fix or change anything later.