Changing your oil pump is pretty simple. Just ensure you torque the two bolts according to specs.
It is a messy job. I would drop the oil pan and let the crank etc. drip for a while ( a long while) while you go inside and have a beer. If not, you will have oil all over you.
Be careful w/ the turning rod from the distributor that turns your pump. Make sure you seat the pump correctly and don't force it. You'll know it is fine when the pump fits flush w/ the block.
The hardest part is getting that dang oil pan back on w/ the new gasket. Lining that turkey up w/ all the little bolt holes can be trying. I use fishing line and tie line around a few bolt holes after placing the gasket on the pan. If you have automatic transmission, ensure your metal bracket that holds these trans fluid lines (via a right side oil pan bolt) goes back the same way you took it off. This keeps the trans lines from moving around and getting pinched or punctured.
You mentioned your pump goes from 45 to 15 lbs. You may wait to get more input on this, but that doesn't seem too bad. Mine is new and read 60 lbs. I forget how far it drops at idle. But it is a significant drop at idle, so that 15 may be a little low. I don't know how many miles are on your motor, if/when you take your oil pan off, look at the pickup screen of the pump to see if it is clogged w/ any debris.
If i recall, you do not have to remove the starter when removing oil pan.
SgtDel
79 383 stroker Edited by: SgtDel at: 12/20/05 10:56 am