lnorman

I installed a new fuel pump on my 1961 and am getting no fuel. I could not get the push rod in the up position completely, about 1/3 of an inch sticking out. I did get the pump installed but it was difficult, felt like the fuel pump lever was pushing against the push rod. My question is, does the push rod go up entirely into the block or does part of it hang down. Thanks in advance.

1COOL60

I cannot remember if the rod goes completely up into the block or not; it will also depend on the position of the camshaft, whether the rod is on the lobe or the heel. But that would probably not make a whole lot of difference. I assume you secured the rod in the "up" position while installing the fuel pump.
160

lnorman

Yes, I did remove the bolt for the rod and installed a longer bolt to hold it up. The rod pushes up into the block but approximately 13 to 1/2" of it remains in the way of the fuel pump lever. Tonight I am going to take it off again and turn the motor over by hand to see if there are different posisitions, I am hoping there is but thought I would check first to see if anyone knew. Thanks for you reply.

John McGraw

Did you remember to remove the holding bolt and replace with the short one? Your pushrod sounds about right. Yes, there are different positions as the pushrod goes around the cam. It should have a long and short position on each revolution of the cam. If you left the holding bolt in, it will stroke out to the long position and never return. You can actually score the pushrod enough by doing this, that you may have to pull it and polish the marks off the rod, to allow it to stroke easily. It requires the pump spring to hold it against the cam, and if it scored up, it can keep it from following the cam.


Regards, John McGraw

lnorman

Thanks for the reply John. I did remember to remove the bolt. The rod seems to be moving freely in when moving it back and forth, as I said before, when installing the pump, the top of the lever seems to be hitting the rod slightly, giving kinda of a springy feeling when tightening up the bolts. I did turn the motor over with the pump off and it seemed like the rod was always in the same position, I will try again tonight and perform that task by hand, turning the motor that is, thanks again. In the event I were to want to take the rod out, how would I remove that, take the fuel pump plate off?

Kerrmudgeon

I've replaced them before with the rod half way down and used the bolts to tighten up the pump going side to side, and no problem. Soooo.....I'm thinking you may have a bad pump.
Was it NOS or sitting on a shelf for years? Or if it's a rebuilt it might have a bad diaphragm, especially if it's an off shore one, or a new off shore one. Their rubber sucks big time. When you hold it and push the lever in a few times, it should suck on one inlet and blow on the other.

lnorman

Thanks, it was supposed to be new but....anyway, I will check that first tonight. Thanks.

AZDoug

Put the motor in TDC #1 firing position (rotor at #1 plug wire on the cap), and the rod will be at its optimum location for pump installation.

Doug

lnorman

Thanks AZ, I will.

Redbird

You do have gas in the tank! Right? You may have to hold down the choke or pour a little gas in the carb before cranking. Best to have a helper and a fire extinguisher hand.

OC-1

"I did turn the motor over with the pump off and it seemed like the rod was always in the same position"

??

lnorman

Tried everything below, got the motor to TDC on 1 and the rod did go in further at that point. Taking the pump back today, nothing more I can do on my end I think. Thanks to all and I will let you know how this turns out.

Frankie the Fink

I swear I've installed dozens of fuel pumps over the years and never had a single problem with the install....most recently in my '61 283ci and '67 396ci. The service manuals tell you precisely how to do a trouble free installation. Your new pump could very well be bad. Take it back and insist on an AirTek - never had a bad one.

Chuck Gongloff

I'd be concerned about this, if it's true.

Chuck

Stan's Customs

Yep me too...something's screwy there if that really is the case. Bent rod is a possibility, it wouldn't go in all the way or would bind.... get another rod to be sure.

Then...Get someone to spin the starter while you hold the rod against he cam with your finger (pump off and out of the way)....and be sure it is moving in and out (or not).

As someone bumps the starter (or get a remote starter button)...rotate the engine a few revolutions to get a feel of how far in the rod "can" go ..then stop when the rod moves all the way in and install the pump ( providing the rod "is" moving in and out.)

Something simple is going on here...or the cam doesn't have a lobe for the pump...lol....?

Stan...

JohnZ

More likely that the rod is just sitting there in the channel, not in contact with the cam lobe, so it's not moving; it only strokes about 3/8". Just push it up with your finger while cranking the engine to see how it strokes.

Stan's Customs

...exactly. I was making an attempt at humor regarding the cam lobe missing..lol.

Matt Gruber

once i switched to an electric pump when i found a wiped FP lobe. that was on a Fiat, but it can happen

burtonbl103

i does hang down some
What i did was put the hold bolt in lightly

Then put a wrench on the crank

Stick your finger in the hole and feel the rod.

Spin the crank with the wrench till you feel the rod in the full up position.

It is easy to put the pump in and have it slide beside the rod and it will not pump.

I had this happen to me

lnorman

Well I am back, took back the first new pump and got a AC Delco this time. Made sure it worked, installed with all the instructions above, would not pump. Pulled the rod, had some scoring on the end of it, bought a new one, installed, put pump back on, nothing, still would not pump. Am beside myself what is going on, time for another mechanic I am afraid. Just one last thing, the in fitting on the pump is the line from the tank right and the out goes to the carb. I might also think about installing the old leaking pump to see if maybe I have a arm difference issue or something. Anything I am missing?