HOWEVER-don't put it on your tongue...
Need help with big block fuel pump!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Need help with big block fuel pump!!!
Hi guys,
I am having 1 h*** of a time trying to install a new fuel pump in my 74 BB. I cannot get the activation pin to stay in place while I install the pump. I tried the advice of friends and multiple Chilton manuals which say 'just put in a nice chunk of grease to hold it in place'. Well, the thickest stuff O'reilly's has doesn't do jack as far as holding it in place. Now, everything is just greasy. Excellent. There is the nice access plug beneath the pump but, what you pop in there to hold the pin in place you must remove so I have the greasy pump in 1 hand, a greasy nut and the placeholder in the other, and I'm trying to thread that greasy plug. A whooooooooooooole lot of swearing is going on too. Am ready to just get some peanut butter and wedge it in there with that.
Is there any type of seriously sticky grease that I could use that actually IS the consistency of peanut butter ?
Is there another trick to holding that thing in place ?
Thanks for your help, this is the one day I have to perform the operation and it is NOT going well.
I am having 1 h*** of a time trying to install a new fuel pump in my 74 BB. I cannot get the activation pin to stay in place while I install the pump. I tried the advice of friends and multiple Chilton manuals which say 'just put in a nice chunk of grease to hold it in place'. Well, the thickest stuff O'reilly's has doesn't do jack as far as holding it in place. Now, everything is just greasy. Excellent. There is the nice access plug beneath the pump but, what you pop in there to hold the pin in place you must remove so I have the greasy pump in 1 hand, a greasy nut and the placeholder in the other, and I'm trying to thread that greasy plug. A whooooooooooooole lot of swearing is going on too. Am ready to just get some peanut butter and wedge it in there with that.
Is there any type of seriously sticky grease that I could use that actually IS the consistency of peanut butter ?
Is there another trick to holding that thing in place ?
Thanks for your help, this is the one day I have to perform the operation and it is NOT going well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Got it. Took the activation pin out, stuffed a bit of grease in the receiving passage and greased up the pin. Took a few tries to get it back into the engine without it sliding from my hands but once in it stuck in the top most position. 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 709
Likes: 10
From: Carlsbad CA
I just installed one last week, 71, 454 w/air. All I do is angle the pump in so that the pump arm gets underneath the rod and then move the pump into position with the rod on the pump arm. Takes a little skill but after doing a few (100) it gets easy.
Pete
www.c3vettes.net
Pete
www.c3vettes.net
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Thanks! That is for sure. Seems about the time I get a job all figured out on it some little adventurous component pops up. Like having to remove the newly installed totally welded exhaust to drop the gas tank to get access to the rear bumper cover mounts ... or what about those nuts on the power brake booster tucked up under the dash ??... you KNOW the guys on the assembly line had to roll a bit when they torqued them down thinking about us poor goobs who had to access them later. I think before the next auto surgery I'm going to go trade hands with the guy from the new Burger King double cheeseburger commercial who whines about having the mitts of a 6 year old.
Man I can't tell you guys how many times I walked back and forth wondering what the trick was to getting that pin to stick ... could picture guys back in the day performing some sort of secret black magic. Greasing it up then freezing it. That is brilliant!! Kept thinking where could I get thicker grease ?? .. how could I maybe thicken it .. ?? COLD!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 7
From: Katy (Houston) TX
CI 7-8 Veteran
There's also an access hole on the front side of the engine that you can thread a longer bolt through that hits the fuel pump rod and holds it in place. Just don't forget to pull the long bolt out and replace it back with the short one before you start the car.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Bryan Texas
Pretty sure that's only the small blocks that have that
