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Newbs 1st post, lift pump?

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1st Diesel - 1st Post

New member.

HI there, 1st post for this, newbie to forum and diesel.

Just bought a 97 / 12v club cab with 166,000 on the odometer, and was wondering about the fuel system and if I need to upgrade the lift pump or what?
Also, it looks like someone has already done some work in the timing cover area, but I guess I need to get the KDP kit and dive in to make sure, what else should I do while in there?
Sorry if this has been answered already elsewhere, but after "lurking and trolling" for a few days I figure I might as well ask.
Thanks in advance
 
Welcome to the TDR, and to the Diesel world. Recommended to get the repair manuals for your truck, Geno's has them. Dowel pin is a good start, if it has not been done yet. IF your going to up the power out put, get gauges, EGT and Boost first this is important.. Most do the exhaust system for the noise they make, not necessary for power unless you are going to go high power, 400 plus HP. And it is recommended to stay away from the FRAM oil filter, use the Fleetgaurd stratogaurd, #16035 from geno's Or a WIX, the others are very questionable because of there construction. Do a "YOU TUBE SEARCH" for a demo, and you'll see why.
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What is the reason for considering up grade to the lift pump? Get a gauge and check out the out put pressure, there is a port on top of the intake in the rear. You say it looks like someone has done some work in the timing cover area, maybe the dowel pin has been done already. IF you tear into the timing cover, check out the gear case bolts for any lose ones, 18' lbs is what they are but they are also LOCKTITE, so they don't work there way out. There is 5 bolts to check in there, these are what causes the damage to the gear case when they come out. And yet they may have been done if and when some work was done in there.
 
Thanks MLee;

Not gonna bump up the power much, would like to postpone a new transmission for as long as possible.
I think it has a 50ish hp fuel plate tho, as it pulls pretty strong and the previous owner mentioned it, but she couldn't remember the particulars, she had the vehicle for 19 years.
Already have ordered filters, tools(and a t-shirt) from Geno's and have made a wish-list which includes the gauges you mentioned,
plus a trans-temp as we will be towing with this in a year or 2.
Read something about low fuel pressure "starving" the injection pump and costing $$$$$$, maybe that was gen3's?

Thought I did do the signature, hmmm, it didn't take. Not a newb to forums as I used to be a moderator on an ATV site with over 20,000 posts and actually a few likes :D .


ah, there it is.
 
Lift pump issues where a 24V vintage problem. 1998.5 to 2002 trucks with electric lift pumps. Your 12V has a mechanical cam lobe type lift pump.

Measurement ATF temps in the pan will tell you when you just toasted the transmission. If you want proactive transmission monitoring, then a temp sensor in the output line is what you want. And do not go over around 220 degrees or so there. With synthetic ATF you can go higher to 240 or so. Stop and go heavy traffic raised the temps on my 2001.5 47RE more than anything else. Tight torque convert contributed greatly to this issue. Stock the 47's do not circulate ATF in park BTW, so cooling a hot transmission means you have to be in neutral. SnoKing
 
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