C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

fuel pump push rod questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 10:56 AM
  #1  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default fuel pump push rod questions

I have a new re-built engine and the fuel pump decided to quit. Got it all apart and noticed that the bronze tipped fuel pump push rod has some signs of wear on it. The face that rides on the cam lobe is no longer perfectly flat.
Is the fuel pump push rod supposed to rotate in it's bore like a flat tappet cam lifter?
Should I expect to see some wear on this bronze tipped push rod? The engine has only been in service for a few hundred miles. I'm wondering how it will look after a few thousand.
The reason for the bronze tip is this is a Lunati retro roller cam set up.
I also checked to see if the fuel pump cam lobe had gone flat. The pushrod only moves in and out about 1/2 inch or so. Does that sound about right?
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:01 AM
  #2  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

They make 'em with roller tips, check this out:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cc...make/chevrolet

Scott
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:51 AM
  #3  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

That's an option. I just have a hard time biting off $110 just for a fuel pump push rod.
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:53 AM
  #4  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

Yeah, I hear ya...

Scott
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 04:34 PM
  #5  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

When I took apart my 434 SBC I had a heck of a time getting the what was left of a bronze tipped fuel pump rod out of the block. It was nearly warn away and kind of mushroomed so it would not come out of the block. Once I had the motor torn down on a stand I had to emery cloth sand away the mushroomed head to get it to come out.


Bronze tips are kind of a POS and I bought the roller for the new refresh.
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 07:04 PM
  #6  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

Bronze tips are kind of a POS and I bought the roller for the new refresh.
That sucks. Were you using some kind of high capacity or pressure fuel pump that would require more force to pump fuel?
I really don't want to have to shell out the cash for a roller tip push rod and I sure don't want the current one to mushroom to the point that it can't come out then I'm SOL for replacing it until the engine gets torn down. What to do......?
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 07:07 PM
  #7  
BKbroiler's Avatar
BKbroiler
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Default

Are you sure you need a bronze tip? I have a Crower retro roller that uses the stock fuel pushrod.
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 08:39 PM
  #8  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

Are you sure you need a bronze tip? I have a Crower retro roller that uses the stock fuel pushrod.
Pretty sure that is what Lunati told me when I asked. It was a while back. Maybe I'll give them a call and ask just to make sure. Also had to get the melonized dist gear.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 10:11 PM
  #9  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

Anyone try one of these in place of bronze tip?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrs-94475
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 12:03 AM
  #10  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Use the Howards composite pushrod love it. Never go back to another steel one running a billet core cam fwiw

Weighs a few ozs at best strong doesnt show any wear.

had arp (??) bronze tip was noisy kind of sloppy in the bore this one is nice and snug.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 02:18 AM
  #11  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

That composite pushrod sounds like your answer. I wonder if there would be any advantage to running it in a flat-tappet cam engine?

Scott
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 09:22 AM
  #12  
71scgc's Avatar
71scgc
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
Default

I used the Howards composite rod as well.
Cheaper than the roller tip, still good for a billet core.
Carter
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 09:43 AM
  #13  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

"Ultra Lite billet fuel pump pushrods weigh only 0.9 oz. (27 grams) to eliminate fuel pump cavitation. Gentle on the cam lobe,"

Seems to me the pressure on the cam lobe would come from the pressure of the spring inside the fuel pumps, saving a gram or two in the push-rod itself ain't gonna do squat.

I have the Comp Cams roller tip and it has lived in my car for 8 or so years with RPM's up to 7000. Been checked twice, the last time this summer and it looks and rolls like it was brand new. I would endorse this product
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 09:59 AM
  #14  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

Decided on the Howard's carbon polymer push rod from summit. Should be here by wed. If the fuel pump was easier to get to I'd put it together today with new pump so I could do some tuning. Guess I'll wait though given the PITA access to it.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 10:22 AM
  #15  
bluedawg's Avatar
bluedawg
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Default

I also have the comp roller tip. Seems to work fine. Only about 2000 miles so far.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 03:52 PM
  #16  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by REELAV8R
Anyone try one of these in place of bronze tip?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrs-94475
Are these durable enough for street use?
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 04:10 PM
  #17  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

Are these durable enough for street use?
Do you mean will they shorten from wear over time? I have no idea. Will they mushroom like a bronze tipped one? I doubt it. I'm using a standard fuel pump so pressure on the rod is not high vs a high flow or pressure pump.

Maybe cuisinartvette could tell us how many miles he has on his and if he's had any issues.

Last edited by REELAV8R; Aug 27, 2013 at 04:15 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To fuel pump push rod questions

Old Aug 27, 2013 | 05:47 PM
  #18  
resdoggie's Avatar
resdoggie
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Use the Howards composite pushrod love it. Never go back to another steel one running a billet core cam fwiw

Weighs a few ozs at best strong doesnt show any wear.

had arp (??) bronze tip was noisy kind of sloppy in the bore this one is nice and snug.
That's what I'm using also. Just a few hundred miles on my hyd retro roller but no problem so far.

Edit: I also use a Howard's composite distributor gear, fwiw.

Last edited by resdoggie; Aug 27, 2013 at 08:12 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 01:05 AM
  #19  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

I am skeptical when it said NASCAR. They only make things for a 600 mile motors.

Comp Cams sent me a non sleeved billet SR cam after a month of waiting. Then they said I needed the poly Dizzy gear which they air mailed the next day out.

The bummer was race weekend with 80 psi shifting from 4-5 at 140 mph on the main straight The motor went silent. So I stabbed in the clutch and tried to hit the key ............... I coasted off a fire exit dead. The poly gears had lost some teeth....... No spark or oil pressure and my race day was done
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 09:28 AM
  #20  
REELAV8R's Avatar
REELAV8R
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Default

I can see why you might question it. You have a valid point the word "nascar" also concerns me a little since it sounds like hype to sell something new.
In your case with the gear the component was in shear vs a push rod which will be in compression. So not necessarily apples to apples.
Thanks for the report resdoggie more than a couple hundred, maybe a few thousand would be a better test of durability.

71scgc, how many miles you got on yours?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:36 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE