I just buttoned up the oil pan and timing chain and read somewhere that I should replace the oil pump plastic collar for insurance. Can this be done from the top lifter galley? If I pull the shaft out will the collar come with it? O should I just leave it alone? I'm not sure how long it's been there?

Nevermind, I just noticed it can't be done.grrrrrr. How often do these things break? Think I will be fine? I would guess the motor was rebuild around 4 years ago (was a friend of a friends). I still see the cross hone in the cylinders if that means anything.

If the oil pump was not removed this time, and the collar was replaced only four years ago, you should be ok.

What do you mean removed? I removed the pump with the rod connected to check the main bearings and just put the pump with the rod and collar as one back on. Do you mean replaced pump and put the collar on a new pump?

As long as you did not separate the rod from the pump, it should be just fine. The plastic collars do get hard after many years of service and tend to break when you try to remove the shaft(rod) from the pump, but if this one is only 4 years old it shouldn't be a problem at all.

just did the same thing. Using a 70 lb new melling pump ( It says right with the pump instructions"Use a hrdened shaft WITH a STEEL Colar, Make NO Exceptions". I took the pan Back off & replaced the shaft. ($4.50) I'm not taking the risk of a $4 part ruining my new engine.

Ok, I bought the metal one. It's done. That sucked! I feel better though.