94 2.3 oil pump

[dan1972]

looks like its time for a oil pump replacement in my 2.3 94 ranger. i have done oil pump jobs on other vehicles but not a ranger. is it possible to do it without pulling the engine out? previously i have been able to get by without having to rent a engine hoist but not sure on this one.

 

[XLTsplash]

On my Dad's old 1989 Ranger 2.3L I was able to drop the pan down enough in the truck to replace the oil pump and the gasket. On my 1997 Ranger 2.3L I pulled the trans the get the oil pan out.

 

[dan1972]

On my Dad's old 1989 Ranger 2.3L I was able to drop the pan down enough in the truck to replace the oil pump and the gasket. On my 1997 Ranger 2.3L I pulled the trans the get the oil pan out.

dropping the trany isnt too big of a deal. thought i might have to seing as how 2 bellhousing bolts go into the back of the pan.

 

[tomw]

In most cases, the oil pump is not the cause of pressure problems. After all, it is the part of the lube system that is fed first, bathed in oil, and rotates rather than reciprocates.
Are you sure a pump will fix whatever problem you are having?

Removal is difficult without lifting the engine and in some cases lifting does not provide enough clearance.
tom

 

[dan1972]

In most cases, the oil pump is not the cause of pressure problems. After all, it is the part of the lube system that is fed first, bathed in oil, and rotates rather than reciprocates.
Are you sure a pump will fix whatever problem you are having?

Removal is difficult without lifting the engine and in some cases lifting does not provide enough clearance.
tom

well the guage started fluctuating about a week ago. when it happens the lifters clatter some.

 

[XLTsplash]

Some of the older 2.3L Ranger's had a problem with the oil pan gasket falling apart and clogging the oil pick up tube. The pan on my 1997 was easy to remove with the trans and flywheel out of the way. I found my oil pickup screen to be clean in my 97. My Dads 89 was clogged with oil pan gasket material.
If your Ranger has a 5 speed it would be a good time to install a new clutch.

 

[dan1972]

Some of the older 2.3L Ranger's had a problem with the oil pan gasket falling apart and clogging the oil pick up tube. The pan on my 1997 was easy to remove with the trans and flywheel out of the way. I found my oil pickup screen to be clean in my 97. My Dads 89 was clogged with oil pan gasket material.
If your Ranger has a 5 speed it would be a good time to install a new clutch.

clutch isnt very old. managed to get the trans out and the pan bolts today. tomorrow the flywheel/clutch. sill worried about clearing the oil pump though. its at the front of the block. might have to remove a engine mount and jack the engine up a bit for clearance.

 

[tomw]

When you remove the flywheel, make a couple scratch marks on it and the crank so you can be sure to put it back the way it came out. I don't think there are any balancing weight considerations, but 'just because' is a good enough reason to me.
I kinda still think the pump is going to be found good, I may be wrong, and I would obviously check the pickup screen before removing the pump. If you do replace the pump, take a look at the main and rod bearing inserts. You can just remove the individual caps, clean and dry the journal and bearing, and use some Plastigage to check the clearance in-vehicle. If the inserts look worn, for a few dollars you can replace with the proper size if they are marked .010 or .020, etc. You can also (well, could) buy slightly undersized inserts from FoMoCo to get the bearing clearance correct without grinding the crank. They would be in the .00010 and .00015 area of diameter smaller than factory. Using them, you can close up the gap if yours are a bit too loose. I don't think mains are available that way.
tom

 

[XLTsplash]

When you drop the pan down, you will have enough room to get you hand between the pan and the engine block to unbolt the pickup and pump. When you have the pickup and pump removed you will have the room need to get the pan out without a need to unbolt and lift the engine.

 

[dan1972]

well eventually got the pump in...and now have clutch issues! upon re assembly i cannot get the clutch to disengage. firm pedal but wont go into gear while running. truck pulls fine but i have to start it in gear! i think this means the input shaft is through the clutch plate. what else could it be? shaft not going into pilot bearing? i have it back apart and wonder how i could check this without having to re-assemble everything only to have to disassemble it again.
any ideas guys?

 

[XLTsplash]

Remove the rubber inspection plug and look at the release bearing to see how it's moving when someone is pushing down the clutch pedal. If the problem is with the hydraulic release, you can buy a complete new bleed assembly that comes with slave, master, release bearing, line and reservoir. You just install it and go. No bleeding need.

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

When you drop the pan down, you will have enough room to get you hand between the pan and the engine block to unbolt the pickup and pump. When you have the pickup and pump removed you will have the room need to get the pan out without a need to unbolt and lift the engine.

Bumping this old thread as I need to do a pump/pick-up/gasket job on my neighbor's '89 2.3 Ranger. So I'll actually be able to do this without using a hoist to hold the engine up? I do have one, so if it makes it easier I'll do it. But from what I've read I then need to drain the coolant and disconnect the radiator hose.

Rough idea on the number of hours to do the job?

Thanks...

 

[Shran]

You need to pull the trans to do it, it's doable without lifting the engine at all and I have done it before. Not knowing your skills, tools and how fast you work, I would budget at least a full day. I would guess that I could get it done in 4-6 hours but I work pretty quick and have done a lot of them.

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

You need to pull the trans to do it, it's doable without lifting the engine at all and I have done it before. Not knowing your skills, tools and how fast you work, I would budget at least a full day. I would guess that I could get it done in 4-6 hours but I work pretty quick and have done a lot of them.

If you look at what he wrote, he did it without removing the transmission.