Picked up a 96 Avenger with the 2.5 V66G73. It had a major timing belt failure and 9 bent valves. I Repaired the heads and was replacing the timing idler, water pump and tensioner. The belt had heated up to where it cooked itself to all the pulleys and sprockets. Scraped all the residue off and took a long time to pry crank sprocket off.Finally removed the crank seal and thought while I was here remove the oil pump and inspect. I took all the bolts off the front and the pan bolts that were required. I am only able to pull the pump away from the block about 7/16 before it stops. I can't get any info on how the pump is driven and if it has siezed on the crank drive someway. Any body got any ideas. I can easily apply more pull but what is going to give?.

 

Can't wait for replies so I went the logical step and removed the oil pan. Anyone with the Haynes books or other tech manuals be aware that the 5 bolt oil pump assy on this engine is not the easy remove and replace. The pickup tube is attached as is the lower lip of the assembly that is on the inside of the pan. Not technically difficult just time consuming. I did find belt residue and the front seal destroyed so it had to be done to properly clean the parts.