I will be putting new oil pump gaskets and seals in the 87 wagon this weekend. Is there anything I should watch or be ready for? It seems like a simple job. I wll be doing this instead of going deer hunting, unfortunatly.

I wll be doing this instead of going deer hunting, unfortunatly.

i don't recommend that! maybe pick up bow hunting for next year, it's much better anyway and a longer season so less time constraints.

 

as for the oil pump - the biggest tip is this, i had never heard of this but figured it somehow a few years ago - have a 1" socket handy. put that on the rotor of the oil pump once you have it off and use that to hold the oil pump steady while your back the 12mm nut off the front to replace the oil pump shaft seal. by far the best method for removing the oil pump nut.

 

have some grease or assembly lube handy to hold the mickey mouse gasket in place when you install the pump to the block.

 

use anaerobic sealant (or most people use the cheaper RTV) stuff at the 12 noon and 6 oclock positions of the oil pump housing where it meets the block. just a very thing, tiny amount. if you look closely at the block you'll see the very fine markings of where the two halves of the block come together behind the oil pump. these dabs of sealant are specifically for those areas. don't over-do it and have it squishing all over the gasket.