Lehman 135 lift pump replacement?

[mike66]

I'm looking for some advice from ones who have had experience changing out their lift pump on the 135. I have the oil cooler and water heat exchangers off and now can get at the lift pump a little easier. I have a new spare on board. Don't know how old the one on the engine is. Should I change it over to the new, or is the failure rate low enough that if it ain't broke...... Also, I've read that a tappet wrench is needed to get to the mounting nuts. True?
Thanks for any insights you might share.

[mike66]

Went ahead and replaced it. The new one was just sitting there unused for the last 5 years. Not a bad job, to bad my gen set is on same side. But where's the fun if we could do boat work standing up? Bring on the Twister kids, I'm ready.

[Russell]

I think that was a wise choice and now the old pump can be your spare.

[mike66]

True. This "while I'm in there" has taken over my life the past few days. Started with checking my heat exchanger zinc. Removed the end cap to check for pieces. Saw a lot of stuff, so off it comes for a good cleaning. Now it's easy to reach the oil cooler, so off it comes, swap for new. Now the lift pump is accessible, so swap that out. Today the transmission cooler, again swap out for new. And of course new hoses and clamps everywhere. Think I'll leave the exhaust elbow alone.
Then, on to the Westerbeke.