Thomas M

Well spring is upon us in Texas and I started doing some more wrenching on the project car. This thing has been a hodge podge of parts. I have replaced all the rotors,calipers and pads. Noticed a "knock in the bottom in the engine and through the interweb and friends , am leaning to replacing the fuel pump. It like other things I found on this car are not original. Fuel filter was deleted by the previous owner.I will be installing a new one with the new carb. Anyone know of a short cut to install fuel pump without having to fight that pushrod for pump?

Bluestripe67

There is a bolt at the front of the block parrell to the rod. Remove it, rotate the engine enough for the rod to go full in, replace the bolt with a slightly longer one so it snugs the rod in place. Install the pump, remove the long bolt, put some gasket sealer on the short bolt, tighten, your done. Dennis

GCD1962

Rod is full in at TDC

Thomas M

Thanks for the info, I really wanna be cruising this thing this spring.

Desert Nomad

That bolt hole your talking about is just on the small blocks, correct? I don't see it on the big blocks at least not on mine.

Bluestripe67

Desert Nomad you may be on to something and the OP didn't mention what engine he had. Well if that is true, then he can use w/bearing grease. Lets wait and see. Dennis

59BlueSilver

I think you mean perpendicular to the rod.

Bowtyeguy

I agree with the bearing grease to keep it up . Wont hurt anything.

plaidside

Here are some pictures of the bolt, rod, long bolt and it installed.
As stated it would better to get the engine at TDC with both valves closed though not necessary.
Joe
Here is the bolt that needs to be removed:


This is the bolt removed:


Here is the bolt I use, note I rounded off the end:


Bolt installed, do not over tighten, just enough to hold the rod:


Be very careful to get the pump arm under the push rod and not on top of it:

BigT-65

This is great information. I found the bolt hole right where your pictures show but mine has no bolt in it. What size would that bolt be, diameter, thread, etc so I can go get one. About 4 years ago I had a local shop replace my fuel pump they must have left it out. You would think oil or something would leak out of this hole if no bolt is in it.

MOXIE62

3/8" course thread. I used a 2" long carriage bolt to hold rod up. Other lengths will probably work but I wanted to make sure there were enough threads on bolt to keep rod up.

BigT-65

Thanks for your reply. I found a bolt in my bolt collection that did the job. Has anyone got an thoughts on the fact that the bolt was missing from my engine. I have not had any oil leaks around there. I am concerned and puzzled.

BigT-65

What would be the consequences of that bolt not being in place? Mine has apparently been out of there for 4 years.

MOXIE62

I would think at least a slight oil seepage.

Powershift

Another option for the temporary bolt to hold the fuel pump rod when changing out the pump is to use a brass bolt......it will not nick or damage the fuel pump actuating rod.

Permanent bolt should be steel.

Larry

MOXIE62

Hand tighten bolt is enough pressure to hold rod up. But if you put a wrench on it then yes, brass

Kerrmudgeon

Shouldn't have caused any damage by not being there. The rod rides on the cam and fits pretty snug in the casting hole. You probably got a little oil seepage, and maybe a little dirt from road grime in there but that depends where you drive it I guess. Someone left it loose and it fell out I'm thinking.

If you use the heavy grease method make sure your engine is stone cold when you do. AND....sometimes it's easier to remove the bolt through the motor mount and jack the engine up on that side an inch or so to get at those bolts.

BigT-65

Thanks for the replies. I feel better about the bolt being missing. There will be one in there after this job.I might look into jacking the engine up a little bit. Anything to make getting the new pump in there easier.

Chuck Gongloff

Unless you run into something like this.

65 327 block in my 37 Chevy.

Bosses there... nothing tapped. I ran into this a few months ago when I replaced the fuel pump. Had never seen that before in a SB Chevy.

Mike C#2

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen one that didn't have those holes tapped? I replaced the fuel pump on my '94 Malibu ski boat last month and found that the holes on the 265hp 350 are blind. Made doing the pump much more difficult with a telescoping magnet and contortions!