Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) VP44 install questions/observations need gurus

[tractorface]

Questions/observations about the VP44

I cannot figure out why the number on the keyway is important. I have compared my two pumps, keways, shafts etc. and have no idea what the difference is or why the arrow matters. What is the deal here. If there are slight differences it seems that mounting of the pump would be critical?

This leads me to my next question. I had to remove the power steering pump in order to loosen the engine bracket bolts. There was no way to get the VP bracket and the engine bracket to line up without doing this. Getting the brackets lined up and everything bolted up without distorting anything was a painstaking process. I wonder how many just crank the bolts down and hope for the best? Does it matter?



Did I have so much trouble because my truck had the old brackets and I used updated parts for my install?

We all know the VP equipped 2nd Gen trucks were designed hastily by Cummins to quickly meet the new emissions reqs. I was told by an engineer that worked on the project that many many ideas were kicked around before Settling on the VP as a stop gap fix until the HPCR engine was designed/finished. The VP mounting brackets on the early model trucks look like something I welded up in my basenment. Not very well engineered to say the least. Mine were broken so I got the updated version which is a much beefier set up. Word to the wise. If the mounting of the pump is important and I suspect it is replace your old hardware with the updated parts. Wonder how many failures could be directly attributed to the damn cheesey mounting brackets?. HMMM Did Bosch really update the pump or did the brackets just change?



Last question I removed the lifting eye, are the mounting holes blind or do I need to put the bolts back? I do not plan to reinstall the lifting eye.



Thanks for helping me try and make sense of it all. OH yeah, I hope to get the beast running this evening, not much left to do.

 

[340Mark]

The key is supposed to be offset to correct manufactureing tolerances. I tend to believe it. I think it affects the accuracy of the injection timing.



Mark

 

[YEEHAW]

The number stamped on the key should be the same as the number stamped on the side of the pump. It is offset for timing.



My injection pump r&r was very easy. I didn't have to remove the ps pump. However, I also didn't change the pump brackets so there was no need to remove the brackets from the block.

 

[Bob4x4]

If you are talking about the rear lifting eye,no problems... the holes go no where.



The keys are what set the pumps initial timing and vary fom pump to pump.



Bob

 

[Royal]

When the vp44 is rebuilt they use a new pump housing due too a wear problem in the advance piston bore. After it is rebuilt & calibrated they have to Time it. They use a fixture to set the timing and they select the correct key that fits into the timing fixture and lines up with the key way slot in the shaft. It's a fool proof procedure,so it should always be accurate.

 

[tractorface]

Thanks Guys

I think I get it. So the keys are different somehow even if the difference can't be seen. Seems like the slightest wear on the gear that the shaft presses onto would cause problems.

Got my truck running last night after finishing the install, just wish I was not so curious because I can't stop thinking that the difference between running correctly and having a problem is too small to be seen by the naked eye. I'll never be the same again.

 

[claykelly]

Ummm, pump bracket?? Am I supposed to have one of those? Just installed my new pump tonight and I didn't take any kind of bracket off, just the 4 mounting bolts. Do I need one of those? If so, where does it go?

 

[tractorface]

Yes you should have it

I was told the pump needs the bracket for support. I can save you a little headache. You want the Updated bracket, not the one that came with the 99.

Cummins part number is 3938707 listed as "kit, fuel connection" cost $51. 44. It includes BOTH pieces you will need. One word of caution to you. I had a lot of trouble mounting the bracket. You will need to remove the power steering pump to do this. Everything will line up whith the bolts loose, than slowly draw everything up. Looks like there is no way in hell it will work at first, but it will. It may even require removing the pump if I remember correctly :{ I had the damn thing on and off so many times I forgot how it actually was.



Sorry :{

 

[Partyat33]

There is an additional bracket that mounts to the side of the engine. You should not have to take anything (like the ps pump) off to get to it.

 

[tractorface]

Both brackets are in the kit

Both pieces are included with the part number I posted.



Party,

How do you install the mounting bolts without removing the Psteering pump???



Are 99 and 2001 different somehow?



Part 6 and 7 as well as some mounting hardware come with the kit.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bob4x4]

Yes... . 99 and 2001 brackets are different. The early bracket supercedes to the later style and both halves must be changed. The p/s pump is in the way. Have fun



Bob

 

[czahnle]

I just changed my 98. 5 VP44 Saterday. I removed PS pump and then the bracket from the block. Mine was broken at the weld. My Dodge dealer did not have a new bracket in stock so I had a really good welder friend weld it back together. Mine had cap screws with torx heads attaching the bracket to the block. I replaced the torx with normal 6 sided head MM bolts. That way I could put it back together like the manual said, that is tighten the bracket to the block last after the 4 pump bolts and the pump bracket bolts. I believe my repair will last.

Chris

 

[tractorface]

Old Brackets

They did not have them because you have the old mounting bracket. I managed to get my hands on a new "old" style bracket if anyone needs it. They are available just hard to get someone to realize it. Once I saw the new brackets I decided to get them instead, much beefier. BTW, My old style bracket was broken also. Have heard of a lot of them breaking, wonder if it has something to do with all the 99 failures???