Fuel Pump Help!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 336
Likes: 42
From: Grand Ledge, MI
Fuel Pump Help!
Hey guys, my fuel pump in my '78 recently started leaking gas everywhere so I called my uncle, drove it over and he had a fuel pump from a '69 Camaro he said I could borrow and the other day I picked up the right one for my car. I really want to start doing stuff myself to my car so I was wondering if someone could give me a step by step on how to replace it. I'm currently 17 years old and the only thing i've learned from purchasing this car and fixing it is pretty much wiring and body work/painting (before/after pics below). I want to learn more mechanical stuff as well so I guess this is a good place to start. I did some research and I know about the pin thing you have to have pushed up in order to put the new one in correctly but how do I disconnect all the gas lines and which line should I be plugging off so gas doesn't flow out? Also any tips to hold the pin up? Thanks! I know this should be fairly simple but I'd like to know what i'm doing before I do it haha.Attachment 48028665Attachment 48028666Attachment 48028664
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
I just replaced the fuel pump on my 454....very tight space. I pinched my fuel line at the sending unit outlet at the gas tank. My rubber fuel lines are new, if yours are old they might crack so be sure to inspect them before pinching the hose.
After removing the old fuel pump, I removed the rod and applied some grease to help keep it in the up position to install the new fuel pump. Just to be sure it stayed up, I used a bent hacksaw blade to push against the rod, then positioned the fuel pump in place.
If you do a search, you'll find good information on the forum.
Good luck.
After removing the old fuel pump, I removed the rod and applied some grease to help keep it in the up position to install the new fuel pump. Just to be sure it stayed up, I used a bent hacksaw blade to push against the rod, then positioned the fuel pump in place.
If you do a search, you'll find good information on the forum.
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
What leads you to believe a '69 Camaro fuel pump will work on your '78? They are different part numbers, which generally indicates some differences, like fuel line clocking, maybe absence of a return line and such.
As for the pump push rod; On the front of the engine block, where the fuel pump bolts up, you will see a bolt installed in the block and a hole below that bolt. That top bolt, when removed and replaced by a longer bolt, will hold the fuel pump push rod in place. When you are ready to install the pump, push the rod up in the block, then lightly thread the holding bolt until it contacts the push rod and holds it in place. It should be pretty easy to install the pump. Once the pump is tightened, remove the holding bolt and re-install the original bolt.
Removing the hose and the steel line are self-evident. Screw driver or pliers to remove the clamp on the rubber hose, and a line wrench to remove the steel line. As to the other issues, fuel will dribble out of the supply hose. All you have to do is to clamp the hose. There are some neat plastic pliers made for this task, but you can also do it with some locking pliers. Just don't go tighter than it needs to be to stop the fuel leak. Clamp the hose before removing it from the pump and keep it clamped until it is ready to go back on the pump. You have to connect the pressure side fuel line before re-installing the supply line or fuel will just dribble out the pressure side fitting. As noted above, replace the line if it shows any signs of deterioration -and given this is a nearly 40-year-old car, it probably should be replaced.
As for the pump push rod; On the front of the engine block, where the fuel pump bolts up, you will see a bolt installed in the block and a hole below that bolt. That top bolt, when removed and replaced by a longer bolt, will hold the fuel pump push rod in place. When you are ready to install the pump, push the rod up in the block, then lightly thread the holding bolt until it contacts the push rod and holds it in place. It should be pretty easy to install the pump. Once the pump is tightened, remove the holding bolt and re-install the original bolt.
Removing the hose and the steel line are self-evident. Screw driver or pliers to remove the clamp on the rubber hose, and a line wrench to remove the steel line. As to the other issues, fuel will dribble out of the supply hose. All you have to do is to clamp the hose. There are some neat plastic pliers made for this task, but you can also do it with some locking pliers. Just don't go tighter than it needs to be to stop the fuel leak. Clamp the hose before removing it from the pump and keep it clamped until it is ready to go back on the pump. You have to connect the pressure side fuel line before re-installing the supply line or fuel will just dribble out the pressure side fitting. As noted above, replace the line if it shows any signs of deterioration -and given this is a nearly 40-year-old car, it probably should be replaced.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 336
Likes: 42
From: Grand Ledge, MI
Originally Posted by gerry72
What leads you to believe a '69 Camaro fuel pump will work on your '78? They are different part numbers, which generally indicates some differences, like fuel line clocking, maybe absence of a return line and such.
As for the pump push rod; On the front of the engine block, where the fuel pump bolts up, you will see a bolt installed in the block and a hole below that bolt. That top bolt, when removed and replaced by a longer bolt, will hold the fuel pump push rod in place. When you are ready to install the pump, push the rod up in the block, then lightly thread the holding bolt until it contacts the push rod and holds it in place. It should be pretty easy to install the pump. Once the pump is tightened, remove the holding bolt and re-install the original bolt.
Removing the hose and the steel line are self-evident. Screw driver or pliers to remove the clamp on the rubber hose, and a line wrench to remove the steel line. As to the other issues, fuel will dribble out of the supply hose. All you have to do is to clamp the hose. There are some neat plastic pliers made for this task, but you can also do it with some locking pliers. Just don't go tighter than it needs to be to stop the fuel leak. Clamp the hose before removing it from the pump and keep it clamped until it is ready to go back on the pump. You have to connect the pressure side fuel line before re-installing the supply line or fuel will just dribble out the pressure side fitting. As noted above, replace the line if it shows any signs of deterioration -and given this is a nearly 40-year-old car, it probably should be replaced.
As for the pump push rod; On the front of the engine block, where the fuel pump bolts up, you will see a bolt installed in the block and a hole below that bolt. That top bolt, when removed and replaced by a longer bolt, will hold the fuel pump push rod in place. When you are ready to install the pump, push the rod up in the block, then lightly thread the holding bolt until it contacts the push rod and holds it in place. It should be pretty easy to install the pump. Once the pump is tightened, remove the holding bolt and re-install the original bolt.
Removing the hose and the steel line are self-evident. Screw driver or pliers to remove the clamp on the rubber hose, and a line wrench to remove the steel line. As to the other issues, fuel will dribble out of the supply hose. All you have to do is to clamp the hose. There are some neat plastic pliers made for this task, but you can also do it with some locking pliers. Just don't go tighter than it needs to be to stop the fuel leak. Clamp the hose before removing it from the pump and keep it clamped until it is ready to go back on the pump. You have to connect the pressure side fuel line before re-installing the supply line or fuel will just dribble out the pressure side fitting. As noted above, replace the line if it shows any signs of deterioration -and given this is a nearly 40-year-old car, it probably should be replaced.
