Ive got a 95 ram 1500 5.2 and the oil pressure occaisionally will flick to 0 before it flicks back to the 40 range. I gues it sounds like and oil pump is due(139kmiles)
If it needs one how hard is it to replace and what should I replace?
Pan gasket, pump and drive gear? anything else? any DIY instructions on this?

Thanks
Harold

PS this is my first post. I'll try and upload a pic too

 

Harold,
Being your trucksa 4X4 you should have no problem replacing the oil pump.

Do a search under 2nd Gen Ram and I think somebody else had already listed the steps for performing this job.

Basically:
[ul][*]Tape a sheet of paper on your steering wheel that says "ADD OIL BEFORE STARTING".[*]Remove starter[*]Remove transmission brackets from the transmission to the engine.[*]Remove transmission dust plate[*]Drain oil[*]Unbolt the pan and slide it out.[*]The gasket is probably the re-usable rubber style. Examine it and if it looks good then re-use it, otherwise get a new one. no sealer is used when installing.[*]Unbolt the oil pump.[*]Purchase a Melling High Volume pump and assiciated gaskets if any.[*]Clean your oil pickup screen. If too crudded up just buy a new one for about $25.[*]Make sure the oil pump spins freely before installing it by spinning the connection where the input shaft goes. If it does not spin freely, get one that does. You can check this at the parts store.[*]Mount the oil pickup screen to the new oil pump.[*]When mounting the oil pump engage the oil pump shaft first then spin the entire oil pump until the bolt holes line up.[*]*** Critical *** Before putting the bolts in and tightening them make sure the oil pump mount is flush with the engine block. Failure to do this will cause a broken pump and at a minimum you'll have to do this process again. Worst case, blown engine so be sure you've done this right.[*]Torque the oil pump bolts to the recommended torque.[*]Clean the inside and outside of your oil pan. Now is a good time to give the outside a fresh coat of paint.[*]Re-assemble in the order you disassembled.[*]Add oil before touching the ignition key.[/ul]
Good luck. This should only take 1 - 2 hours to do at max.

FYI, in order to replace the gear drive, which is not necessary when replacing the oil pump, you would have to go through the procedure of pulling and replacing the distributor as this unit is installed from the top. Don't go into this unless you absolutely have to as installing the gear/shaft and distributor is slightly complex.

 

Thanks. I realized that after I registered the site would let me search. I didnt run across anything as short and to the point as what you gave me, though. Wish me luck.
Later guys,
H

 

One last thing I would recommend doing before replacing the pump.

Remove your oil pressure sending unit - it's to the left of your distributor behind the intake manifold - and install a manual oil pressure gauge to get an accurate reading. If you still experience the up and down pressures like your dash gauge shows, then replace the oil pump, otherwise try replacing your oil pressure sending unit.

 

Turned out to be the sending unit.