Originally posted by TourDeForce:
The fuel pump should take less than 4 hours if you've never done it before. Pretty straight-forward:

1. Remove rear lower seat cushion
2. Snip access
3. remove retaining ring (this is the most difficult part, a little penetrating oil helps a lot)
4. Pull pump assembly from tank
5. Pull pump from bracket
6. Shove new pump into bracket
7. R-insert assembly into tank
8. Button up




Xactly. Happy Zetec owners don't have to cut metal, so they're done in 10 minutes.
For the retaining ring, use a small rod/pipe (a 3/8" racher extension works fine) and a small hammer and give it a punch from the side. IIRC it comes off couterclocwise, you'll see it by looking at the tabs.

I'd also add 3 more steps:
1 and a half. Relieve fuel pressure (disconnect fuel pump wire connector and crank the car a few times)
2 and a half. stuff some rags in there next to the hole to soak up the inevitable spillage
3 and a half. pull fuel lines by squeezing the plastic tabs together on the elbow-like hose endings. Small pair of pliers (carefully!) or by thumbs if you're a strong man.

Good luck,
Tiv