Oil Pump

I am rebuilding my 78 911 3.0L and I have read a couple of sources about an oil pump upgrade. It also requires new pick up screens and related hardware. The pump gears that came out looked good but the motor has 220K on it. Never before rebuilt.

Should I invest in the upgrade? Is it worth it? How long should I expect the original to hold up?
On other rebuilds I have had to prime the oil pumps (used vasoline, drill motors, etc.) Does this pump require priming? I have never seen anyone mention it.

One more thing then I'll keep quiet. Anybody test their oil cooler? Have a procedure, test pressure?? Thanks...

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78 911SC

David,

If the gear backlash is OK, there is no reason to think your pump isn't OK to reuse ... Bruce Anderson has seen SCs go 400K miles without a rebuild, so I don't think you have anything to be concerned about! As far as priming goes, forget about it, it isn't needed! Unlike 99.999% of the other vehicles around, the 911 has a gravity-fed, pressurized supply of oil from the oil tank!
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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

[This message has been edited by Early_S_Man (edited 02-06-2001).]

Uh, Warren, that's 99.98% of other vehicles. Please don't exaggerate just to make a point.

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet

Thanks guys. 99.98/99.99% either way I guess I can take the risk for that .02% I appreciate the response...

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78 911SC

In order to eliminate a problem when the 78SC was run at high RPM, Porsche changed the oil pick-up screen and the main oil pressure relief value parts. The change is not expensive and your dealer should be able to get the parts OK. Sorry but I do not have the P/Ns handy.
As far as the oil pump - as long as the vanes and walls are not scored or have groves cut in them it will work just fine.

I also recall hearing about the problems with the pickup venturi for the scavenge pumps on early SCs. I faintly recall hearing that this can be replaced/upgraded, without splitting the case. Or maybe you have the case apart anyway.

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'83 SC