I have a very high oil pressure reading and an expanded oil filter on my 71 Charger big block. How difficult is it to replace the oil pump or should I first try replacing the pressure relief spring and how difficult is that?
Thanks

I'd unbolt the plug on the pump and replace the spring w a MP std one. This might take of things fast/cheap. How high is your psi?

Thanks for the reply. I really don't know how high it is except the gauge reads nearly all the way over to the right (no numbers on the gauge)and the oil filter itself has bloated way out.
attaboy

I'm headed out of town tomorrow (not in that car)so I won't be able to check it until next week. I can get a spring from MC but they will have to ship it to me which will take a few days anyway. What should I look for besides the spring maybe being broken?
attaboy

It could be the relief valve itself stuck(the valve the spring works against).

For the price of a pump, I'd replace the whole thing, then you know it's fixed.

I had a relief valve that was stuck in a new pump.

Hi,
I agree that's the best way to correct the problem except that I have to pay someone to do it because it's my understanding that the process of getting the new pump back in is very difficult. Doesn't the motor need to be raised a bit and the distributor needs to come out so the new pump can go in?
Thanks

Had a friend once his 440 would do that and it was in fact a high pressure not high volume pump. The high pressure is for industrial use with a canister filter. (water pumps and such 24 hours a day 4000 rpm's) would go over 140 even with a stock spring. Took it off and put a high volume on and that fix that.

The high pressure one had real sharp pointy gears as opposed to the rounded ones on a High Volume!

The pump that's there now has been there for the last 10 years and worked fine (normal readings, no deformed filter). This problem just started a few days ago. That's why I'm looking first at the spring. Maybe it just broke.....I hoping.
Thanks

I "think" that if the spring is broken, the pressure would be lower .

Probably a stuck relief as mentioned above.

codfish

I had to pull mine on a fresh engine because I couldn't get it to prime (forgot to add some petroleum jelly). It was fairly easy to pull it off and put it back on. I didn't pull the oil pump drive shaft or anything, just unbolted it and pulled it right out.

That being said, if you do go with a new oil pump, be sure to check it out before you just throw it on. The owner of the machine shop where I built my engine said to me, when I wanted to get a new oil pump, "I rebuild every new oil pump I install. So we can rebuild a new one or the one you've got, I really don't care, it is your money."

I replaced the oil pump in my 73 440 Charger on the side of the interstate in the rain with a box end wrench.

Did the same with a 68 383 Polara, but I was able to pull it up on the curb, sunny and 90* though on black top!

Ah the broke teen years!

IMO ...back-up and REgroup.

Get a GOOD oil pressure gauge and put-it on the motor.

quit useing Fram filters......

Well, I bought a new pressure relief spring. I've taken a look anfd tried to get the nut off from the back of the pump. It's no go. I can't get a tool in there. There just isn't enough room. The motor moount is in the way. It looks to be easier to remove the whole pump. What's the trick to doing it right?
Thanks

The usual problem you run into when trying to change the pump in situ is the long bolt that holds the pump to the block, it sometimes will hit the K-member and won't come all the way out. No problem, just unthread the bolt and leave it in the pump as you remove it. The pump may need to be clocked a certain way to be removed.

Reverse the procedure to install, turning the pump body as it goes into the block so as to engage the hex drive shaft.

Thanks! I did finally manage to get the relief spring out while the pump was still attached to the motor. I used a "crow"s foot". Great little tool that. Spring was in good condition and not broken. I put the new one in anyway but had to use the old gasket. The new gasket that came with the spring from Mopar Connection was too thin and wouldn't seal properly.
Thanks for your help. I guess I'll try and do deed myself this week.
attaboy

Let us know if that takes care of it.