H23A VTECH blue top, stock block, built head/ ferrea comp + valves, supertech 93lb dual springs, titanium retainers, new seals, light port, stock cams. Im replacing oil pump, Already have water pump, gates belts, manual timimg tensioner, 51k head gasket. Im trying to figure out if im ok running a auto parts store oil pump$280 then shim it or OEM $360 then shim or there is a OEM 4piston ported pump online for $384 then shim it....wtf should i do. Im only running stock block until winter when i sleeve and build it. So im not putting my head and timing back together until i replace my oil pump...some input please!!! This is the only thing holding me back from getting it back togeather..

 

Neither. A healthy engine that is properly built will have plenty of oil pressure. Especially an H/F series as typical healthy examples usually have 80-100psi above 5k rpm once warm. They do not have inherent oil pump issues like some K series, etc. A stock OEM pump will do 9k+ rpm and as much horsepower as you can throw at it for the most part. Shimming a pump is just an unnecessary band-aid. If you still have the original pump that came on your engine, pop the back plate off and check the tolerances. If it's within spec(and they usually are unless they have a million miles), it's fine to use and will let you use that money elsewhere.

 

Not necessary, h pumps don’t have issue with oiling , unless you remove the oil squirters

 

70-75 is more like it. The relief valve will be bleeding pressure before you get to 100 anyway.