Sprint oil pumps

[SprintMWU773V]

I'm assembling the lower part of my engine and it's good practice I believe to fit a new oil pump. Some years ago I purchased a 'County' branded one. Given the questionable reputation for some of their parts is there an alternative? I'm assuming there's no original ones left and not sure if it's possible to recondition them anyway? I'm sure I remember issues with relief springs and general quality on the County ones.

Given the oil pump is a critical item I want to get it right.

[soe8m]

There's nothing wrong with these new county pumps. I would check the internal play. Sometimes you have to correct but that's the same as other new, nos or used pumps. Never trust any manufacturer.

The max pressure can be tested when running if the spring has to be replaced, shortened etc. The only thing to check is that the drive shaft when fitted in the pump sticks out as much as the original. I had one time that the shaft could go to deep into the pump just leaving 5mm shaft in the distributor drive gear. That shaft rounded at the tip after 50.000km............

Jeroen

[cleverusername]

I'm assembling the lower part of my engine and it's good practice I believe to fit a new oil pump. Some years ago I purchased a 'County' branded one. Given the questionable reputation for some of their parts is there an alternative? I'm assuming there's no original ones left and not sure if it's possible to recondition them anyway? I'm sure I remember issues with relief springs and general quality on the County ones.

Given the oil pump is a critical item I want to get it right.

Probably a good idea to prime it with Vaseline before fitting, otherwise it just sucks on air. Much easier to fit one of these on the bench, than trying on the car with the steering rack nearby.

You can prime them with a homemade tool. I found a socket that fitted the drive shaft, attached a bar to it, taped it together and ran it off an electric screw driver. Eventually I got a gurgling sound and good oil pressure ever since.

[SprintMWU773V]

Sounds like I'll be inspecting my stock pump then. Vaseline, heard that before. Guess I could also use Graphogen? I have a big tube, I'm determined to get my monies worth out of it! Failing that I do also have some Vaseline which I don't think I've ever used on my hands, just battery terminals.

[Emerald Sprint]

On the subject of oil pumps I remember having read on the old-old forum (before ez-board) that the original drive shaft for the oil pump is rather soft and that (IIRC from 15-odd years ago) the shaft from a Ford V6 Essex engine is compatible and from a tougher alloy.
As said it's something I read a long while ago and I'm not 100pct sure, but googling 'ford v6 essex oil pump drive shaft' does show a hexagonal shaft.

Greetings,

Joris

[gmsclassics]

Have a look at the recent post on oil pressure viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33381 and check your new pump has the same type of oil pressure relief valve as the old one. That should help ensure you get the correct oil pressure. Given you will be spending a lot of money on the engine, I would eventually check that with a gauge - in the post mentioned Jon Tilson suggests what the correct pressure should be.

Incidentally I used a small smear of sealer as well as the 'O' rings on all mating surface on the pump and transfer housing and now for the first time in 20 years I have no oil leaks from that area!

Geoff