Oil pump life

[aero3113]

What do you think the life limit is on a oil pump. I am not 100% but I think my oil pump is original on my 50 Plymouth. Are the pretty much bullet proof or should I replace it before it fails?

[TodFitch]

What do you think the life limit is on a oil pump. I am not 100% but I think my oil pump is original on my 50 Plymouth. Are the pretty much bullet proof or should I replace it before it fails?

Not much in it that would fail suddenly. Generally the wear would be gradual and result in lower oil pressure especially when using low viscosity oil in a hot engine.

[greg g]

The manual gives a check for excesive wear of the rotors, so should be good till that clearence is exceeded. Other concerns would be the cam gear condition and the distributor drive slot. Other than those things and maybe a fresh gasket/seal, can't see much of a problem.

The other critical item is the pressure relief pluger and spring, to assure the output is well controlled.

[RobertKB]

My '53 Plymouth has 96,000+ miles with original motor and oil pump. Still have great oil pressure and have no plans to replace it. Even if I rebuilt the motor not sure I would change it if it met specifications.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have never built an engine where the oil pump was not installed as new..like putting a heart of a 85 year old in a new born..

[Norm's Coupe]

While I will agree with Tim on his remark about you should replace it, it's not necessary if the pump is good.

When we rebuilt my engine, we (mechanic friend and I) looked it over. Since it was working alright when we pulled the engine, I decided to just clean it up and put it back in. Have no idea how old that pump is, could be original, don't really know. But.......it's still pumping as it should and we rebuilt the engine back in late 1998. Sounds like others have kept their old pumps too. So.......bottom line is, it's up to you and what you think after looking at it.