Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How long to replace a VP44? (for the first time)

[GOT-Torque]

Getting close to swapping in my hotrod pump, just curious about how long it should take?



4 hours?



I don't have the specific gear puller tool, I was going to use the rear engine lifting bracket trick that others have mentioned on here.



Any tips or tricks to make it go smoother?



Thanks...

 

[Cummins724]

A steering wheel puller works great on the gear... . thats what I used after breaking my gear puller. Make sure that you have a mirror to see inside the front case for aligning the TDC.

 

[JEastbourn]

What is the rear engine lifting bracket trick? I am sure I will have to replace a vp44 someday and am trying to gather as much info as possible. Thanks.

 

[klaybus]

Time? Depends on if you drop the woodruff key down the front of the timing case... . Take your time while your trying to align the gear or it'll take you forever. I was watching my brother in law do his & he was hurrying & trying to bull his way through it. It wasn't pretty! Take your time, it's not too difficult IMHO.



Clay

 

[Cummins724]

I did mine using the Haynes manual from Advance Auto... . pretty detailed. I just read it... then dug in.

 

[Partyat33]

You will need a close swivel to get one of the bolt off. If that bolt is not too difficult you can do it in less than 2 hours.

 

[SnoKing]

You will need a close swivel to get one of the bolt off.

Could you explain this a bit? SNOKING

 

[Partyat33]

One of the bolt (or nuts can't remeber) is at an awkward angle. I had a heck of a time getting it off. Everything else is easy. There are six bolt/nuts that hold the vp 44 in place. Four facing forward toward and two on the block. I am prett sure it nuts to the front and two bolts in the block. Be careful with the key. Makes sure you are at TDC or it may fall.

 

[mhenon]

One of the bolt (or nuts can't remeber) is at an awkward angle. I had a heck of a time getting it off. Everything else is easy. There are six bolt/nuts that hold the vp 44 in place. Four facing forward toward and two on the block. I am prett sure it nuts to the front and two bolts in the block. Be careful with the key. Makes sure you are at TDC or it may fall.

Is the key and timing mark in the same position for TDC? Can you actually see the keyway before pulling the gear?

Mike

 

[SHobbs]

Only thing I needed was a torch to get the gear off the pump shaft. Almost broke the puller before that, a little heat and it popped right off. My first time took about 3hrs.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Took me the better part of a day to do mine, but I was doing lots of cleaning and other minor mods while I had the pump off - plus I tend to go very slowly in unfamiliar territory! :-laf



I didn't need any unusual swivels, just s pair of extensions on my ratchet to reach in behind the pump close to the block for the nuts there.



Do yourself a favor, and paint a dab of white paint on the nose of the key on the new pump, makes it easier to see and align with the gear when installing the pump, plus easier to verify the key still sits square in it's groove after installing the pump.



After removing the rear engine hoisting loop, leave it off, and reinstall the bolts with appropriate thickness washers - the bolts secure the intake plate, and with that loop removed, #6 injector is FAR more accessible. The bolt hole spacing on the hoist loop is close to what is needed to thread pulling bolts into the VP-44 drive gear, and a few guys have opened the holes and then used the loop as the puller with the appropriate bolts, which I think were the bolts holding down the air horn, with washers/spacers as required.



I just went ahead and bought the puller from II same time I ordered my rebuilt VP-44 - but at $25 or so, it would make more sense to just use some scrap bar stock and make your own.



Good luck!

 

[timbo]

Do yourself a favor, and paint a dab of white paint on the nose of the key on the new pump, makes it easier to see and align with the gear when installing the pump, plus easier to verify the key still sits square in it's groove after installing the pump.



Take GARY's advice here!!

 

[GOT-Torque]

Thanks for all the replies, not sure if I will get a chance to do it yet tonight. I might have to wait until next weekend.

 

[GOT-Torque]

Well, I got the new pump on Started at 4:30, finished at 10:00. That included two trips to town, eating supper, and runnin' off a salesman.



It wasn't really difficult at all. My pump gear popped right off. My wife was already asleep by the time I finished so I had to bleed the air out of the injection pump and lines by myself. Makes more of a mess this way.



Idle is alittle higher, and sounds much meaner No big lopey idle though



Power is definately up and smoother as well, more testing to follow.

 

[ILIANBG]

Very good. Great job. Which pump did you use? What mileage did you have on the first one?

Ilian

 

[GOT-Torque]

Installed an II Hotrod VP44, my stock HO pump only had 35,000 miles on it or so. The original pump was replaced under warranty a few years back.