Will new oil pump blow out the bearings

KBBARRETT

MEMBER
CHEVROLET SILVERADO

Hi,
I have an 1989 Chevy 4x4 with a 350 5-speed with 185K miles, thats been service every 3000 miles.
She lost a gasket at the oil filter mount that I noticed before I left the driveway (big puddle). Short drive to garage for repair, but now at cold start pressure starts out about 15-20 lbs, but after 10 miles of driving it drops to were the check gauges light comes on & it hoovers at about 5lbs. Luckily work is 7 miles away, I've heard that if I install a new pump it will blow out the cam bearings. I've change the oil and put in 10-40W and new filter too. Will new pump create to much pressure for my old engine? The engine still sounds smooth and runs with plenty of power.
Thanks

2 Replies

RSARARENCH

MEMBER
9 POSTS

I would drop the pan and see if the pressure relief valve came out of the oil pump, Ive seen the pin that holds it in come out or break and the spring and plunger falls out. If thats ok pull off a rod bearing cap and a main cap and see if theres any copper showing. If there is, replace the pump with a" high volume" pump, not that much difference in price. The bearings probley suffered from lack of full oil pressure, Thats only if the engine is not knocking. The high volume pump will take up the slack in the brgs. And no it wont blow out the cam brgs. Nor will it "wash" the crank brgs.