Am I Crazy to Try This?

I doubt the pump costs that much and the sealing rings and gaskets are cheap from the local tranny parts/gear shop... the pump is easy to get off, little harder to get back on right the first time but if it was just the pump you could replace it. Usually not just the pump unfortunatley and you may be "in for a penny" then in for a full rebuild at the shop. I have built several 727's in my garage and even though I have tried to be clean they are never spotless. I have never had to re-build any of the ones I did but most never saw more than a few thousand miles a year behind 300-400 hp engines.

If you are mechanical in nature and have the time, get a book and have at it. Otherwise let the shop handle it.

If you have 3 matching 'C' clamps of the proper size, you can even handle the drum springs easily. Also, most front pumps have two holes on opposing sides that are threaded for larger bolts so after you remove the ones around the side, find the threaded ones and use long threaded bolts to evenly work the pump out (hold the center shaft before you yank the pump or you will remove the front drum with it... this is not a huge issue as you will remove it anyway. Good luck!