Did my plenum and did my best to keep lifter valley clean, took a vacuum to it after i took the rags out but just incase anything fell down or i didnt vacuum up everything is there a way to clean or flush it all before installing a new oil pump/rear main? Just didnt want it to clog a new high volume oil pump. Also I was thinkin of runni seafoam through oil after its all put together and then changing oil to mobile 1..but again dont want to put it all back together and clog the new oil pump.Thanks in advance

 

Drop the pan, clean it out, change the pump and seal, stick it back together. Drive it. Don't bother with the seafoam in the oil. Just change your oil regularly, it will clean up.

 

ok, yea im doin the rear main,oil pump, pan gasket just wanted to be sure. Was gonna get the high volume then the guy at the parts store said unless i have performance parts there's really no need so i just got the regular pump and saved $20. Haven't installed it yet though if you guys think i should do the high volume.truck has around 135k miles. Also should i go ahead and put the mobile 1 in after im done or should i use cheap oil and run it for a while and then change it and put synthetic?Thanks

 

Clean the pick up tube also. It likes to get clogged up and stuff.

A high volume pump can mask worn bearings and clearances for a while on a high mileage motor.

I would just go ahead and put the quality oil in it

 

do you think 135k is high mileage?

 

Personally I don't. There are those that think anything over 100k is, and those that don't think anything is high mileage unless the car is rusted out from under the engine.

 

yea i think for a 97 its not bad..i got it with 120k a yr ago. Just didn't know if it would fall under the high mileage catagory for the high volume oil pump. I think ill just throw the regular one in and call it good

 

If you are getting your low oil pressure warning light coming on at stops, when the engine is fully warmed..... the high volume pump can make you last a while longer before the rebuild becomes absolutely necessary. Might not hurt to plastigauge the bearings while you are in there doing the pump. Give you a good idea of how worn they are.

 

I've only had the light come on once and it was because oil was low. It was before i realized i had to check the oil so often in this truck. Ever since i kept an eye on the oil it hasnt done that.Usually stays around the 40 mark i believe. How do I measure the bearings? Are they visible from inside the oil pan?

 

With pan off, you can see bearing and rod caps. The plastigage is used to measure the clearances. You pull bearing cap off, put a stip of PG in journal, replace cap and torque, then remove cap agains and measure width of PG. I am not sure but this may be detailed in FSM.