Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Damn! The VP44 won't come out of the block!!

[John - K5AWO]

Okay, here is the scoop.



My son PJ is working on his truck, he has the VP44 almost out and about an 1/8" of clearance beyond the end of the studs. It's "hanging in free air", but it will not come out of the hole.



It seems to be hanging on something on the block. It has clearance between the stainless line below the injection pump (line going into block) and the pump housing.



The pictures of the procedure from the nwbombers site show a gasket material?? that has had a lot of material cut away with a knife or chisel.



The pump can be rocked around about an 1/8 inch side-to-side and up/dn. but that is all the movement that can be obtained.



The woodruff key is completely clear and six threads can be seen on the shaft in front of the tapered part.



PJ is about to help it along with 4 oz of C4 if it don't start moving quick. :-{}



it's 11:00 p. m. now and he has quit for the night. Besides, 04:30 sure comes around quick for tomorrow's start on a new day...



Comments anyone??



-John

 

[camnicolson]

John,



May seem like a dumb question, but did he press the gear off the taper on the pump shaft? In your post sounds like the gear is still on the shaft. If it is still on need to get a puller and pull it off.



Cheers,

Cam

 

[Partyat33]

I goes in and out pretty easily. The TBAR puller is needed to get the gear off the taper. Its pretty tight. I can't think anything else, did he get all the nuts off. Seems like there is four on the pump and one or two on the block !!





Dennis

 

[John - K5AWO]

To clarify. The woodruff key is completely clear of the of the gear. He used a steering wheel puller to press the shaft out of the gear. Even after he heard the 'pop' indicating the shaft had broken free of the woodruff key/gear, it would not slide on out of the hole.



He had to continue using the puller shaft screw to press it on out of the housing.



The VP44 case is clear of the four mounting studs. I just can't fathom why the thing didn't just "fall out" in his hands after it broke free of the gear?



I haven't seen it yet myself, am taking off early from work to go over and give it a personal inspection.



It's not like he doesn't know what he is doing, he has worked as a mechanic for 12 years and is a certified Aircraft Airframe mechanic line chief for MDI Helicopters.



We are both used to hearing gears/shafts give that "pop" sound and then taking the press off and removing whatever it is we are working on.



I'm stumped at the moment... Will report back later today.

 

[PHX ATC]

John, do you need me to bring my 15 pound sledge hammer over there?

 

[camnicolson]

John,



There are 3 bolts holding the lower support bracket, they have got to come out as well. The manual says:

" remove 3 lower pump bracket bolts and remove lower pump bracket. Loosen, but do not remove 2 engine bracket bolts.

Remove 4 pump to gear housing bolts(already done), remove pump from housing"



Good luck!



Cheers,

Cam

 

[John - K5AWO]

Duh,



I sure hope he didn't miss that issue with the lower support bracket.



Since he and I both own the same model truck, I think the factory manual would be a good investment. He has the Hayne's book, but it is less than insightful.



John