by natureboy » Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:47 pm
I wouldn't say it's hard to change out the oil pump, but it's pretty involved and time consuming. If you don't have a Hayne's repair manual yet, get one. If it's the 2.6 you need to pull the valve cover, water pump, oil pan, distributor, timing cover, timing chain, a few sprockets and finally the oil pump and put it all back together again PRECISELY or you will totally FUBAR your motor. Pretty important to prime the oiling system, too. Definitely NOT the type of repair where you can just "wing it" successfully.
This would be the time to replace a number of hard-to-get-at parts while you've got it open, such as a complete timing set, and the balance shaft bearings and it's chain, guides and gears, or to remove those parts and do a balance shaft elimination kit, if you're so inclined.
87 Ram 50 long bed, 2.6l rebuilt, 5 spd, 4x4