Hi Guys,
I've been having problems on accelaration and have narrowed it down to the mechanical fuel pump. I found a small leak where the two halves join together and it really hesitates when I try to pick up speed on interstate or from stop. My question is this, what is the easiest way to change it out? It looks really tight in there and I'm wondering if I should loosen up the power steering pump to move it a little and go in from the top. The crossmember is in the way to go in from the bottom. Anyone change theirs out that has any advice? Thanks for the help!

 

Hey Mother_Love

(First off, nice Wizards avatar. )

Which engine do you have? If you go into your control panel, you can put all your Bronco's stats in your "signature". That way all that info shows up automatically each time.

If you plan on doing a lot of your own work on the Bronco, I'd recommend picking up a Haynes or Chiltons manual. Of course, always lots of good info here too.

 

AbandonedBronco, first I'm impressed. Not too many would recognize Peace from Wizards. It was kind of an obscure movie, but wasn't it great? I can't post a signature until I have at least 25 posts, but will as soon as I am able. I do have the Haynes on it, but it's useless for this. It tells me the part i already know, that is how to replace it. It doesn't say anything about moving the power steering pump or A/C compressor. I am just having a hard time visualizing how to get down in there to get to the bolts and to the block to scrape the gasket off, clean it, etc. I have the 351W stock engine in it if that helps.
I was hoping someone had replaced theirs and has some tips for making this easier on me. I do plan on doing all of my own work, well as much as a shade tree mechanic can do anyway. I sold my 2005 Ford Ranger and bought this Bronco because I wanted to return to the good old days before all of the electrical and computerized crap made it almost impossible for a guy to work on his own truck, you know what I mean?
Any ideas?

 

Yeah, that's definitely an obscure one! I love the animation though, it's unique.
I saw it way back when I was a kid (maybe 5 - 7 or so?) and it stuck with me for years. Finally picked it up a year or so ago on Netflix and rewatched it. Good stuff, and a really interesting story line.

I forgot about the 25 posts deal. Hrmm... I personally haven't done one on a 351, so unfortunately I can't help you out. I'm sure someone has so it shouldn't take long to get a response on it.

I definitely know what you mean about being able to work on your own truck. I do all my own work, and I imagine it's saved me a ton of cash. Plus, it's a great learning experience and if something goes wrong out in the field, I know my truck in and out.

 

I saw that movie when it first came out at the theater on base while my Dad wasstationed in Germany. I guess I was about 12 or 13. Loved the movie and I have it on DVD too.
I figure for what it would cost me to have anything on my 2005 ranger worked on, I can replace the fuel pump, power steering pump, radiator, thermostat housing, fan clutch and water pump on 'Ol Blue. I've got a leak in the power steering pump too, so figure I might as well replace it at the same time I'm doing the fuel pump. That thing is just in an awkward place. I'll replace the rest of the aforementioned items towards the end of the month. This truck's in decent shape, it is all original and some of these old parts are really starting to show it.

 

Okay, here's the latest on this. I tore it all apart and go figure. At some point, someone got in there and broke the bolt mounting hole on the left side. It's like a half crescent now that hardly holds the bolt in. The right side of the mount was okay, so I used a lot of RTV and tightened down the right side and it seems to be holding okay. I think if it goes down the toilet, I will have to go with an electric pump, so if anyone's done that, let me know how you put that together.
I replaced the oil pressure switch while I was in there because I was getting bad pressures on the gauge, and that fixed it. I also replaced the power steering pump with a new one because I still had a leak in it after replacing the leaking high pressure hose. It now works great and no more noise when I turn. Hardest part of all that was learning the hard way that it's easier to replace the pulley while the pump is still attached to the engine.
Here's a couple of pictures of the process. It shows why you can't replace the fuel pump without taking off the PS pump first. Something the Haynes manual doesn't tell you.