I see that as long you keep a good lift pump on the vp44 will last. On a scale of 1 to 10 how hard is it to replace the lift pump? I saw they are pretty cheap through cummins.

 

They are not bad to do. You will have a learning curve with the first one, after that it is pretty easy. It takes 15 or 20 minutes.

 

I read the step by step procedure once and then did it my way. I didn't pull anything other than the pump itself and didn't use new washers. Not recommended but mine where in great shape and I didn't have any new ones(learning curve ;D). Did mine with no leaks and started right up after bumping the key once and letting the new pump fill the lines and filter up. I think I had in done in 25 to 35 minutes but had a 6 year old handing me tools and parts. Love that boy but he dosn't know a ratchet from a starp wrench yet.

 

The manual says to go from the bottom and remove the starter. I spanned a piece of plywood across the motor to lay on and did it from the top in about 30 minutes. I loosened the filter so it could be moved to gain easier access to the pump and removed the output banjo from the filter side rather than at the pump as it was easier to reach. Be carefull with the washers on the banjos as they are easy to drop and get lost.

 

TODAY"S TECH TIP

Here is an old trick I learned about copper compression washers. They are hardened by pressure (compression) and to soften them up again you can anneal them. put them on a wire and heat them to cherry red and let them air cool naturally. This will soften them up again for use. Of course they are not expensive, but in a pinch this will work fine.

Its an old aircraft mechanics trick. Come to think of it he dies in a plane crash! LOL (Kidding)

 

That's a good trick for copper washers but if you heat these, the rubber seal will more than likely flame up and go away. This could be a drag since the rubber actually does the sealing.

 

OPPS! I guess I should have looked at the washer before I gave my tech tip. It was such a good tip too! This site has covered just about everything and I thought I had something you guys could use. I was under the impression they were just copper.

 

They are kinda like a "V" lip seal with a metal backing ring. Doesn't take much to make them seal, I have used the same ones as much as three times. Not recommended though.