Taijutsu

Forum: I posted this a while back and someone mentioned holding back the FP pushrod w/longer bolt.
Then replacing the longer bolt w/correct bolt after the FP is in.
Where and how to do this was not included. lol

If someone could show me where the longer bolt holds back the pushrod.
I could finish this and clean up for the day.

TIA

R

buns

Like so:

HeadsU.P.

That was me. In the front of the block, passenger side, should be a bolt. It does go into the oil gallery so it is always there. Remove that short one and replace with same dia, same pitch, just longer bolt. The bolt hole lines up with the F.P. pushrod. Just snug the bolt and it will hold the pushrod while you do your business with the pump.
DO NOT FORGET to remove & replace that bolt or you will destroy the pushrod.

Peterbuilt

The stock bolt is 3/8 X 16 X 1/2", replace it with a longer bolt then replace the longer bolt with the stock one after applying a little thread sealer.

Align the timing pointer to ZERO so the fuel pump push rod is on the heal of the cam.

Or just grease up the push rod.

NeverTooOld

The 265" and 283" engines prior to 1958 used motor mounts that fastened to the front of the block and all of the subsequent small blocks retained those four front motor mount holes as they were sometimes used for boat or other installations. Your 350" has those four holes and the lower/right hole has a short 3/8" X 1/2" bolt with a copper washer screwed into that hole to prevent oil leaking because that hole is drilled all the way thru the block and aimed directly at the fuel pump push rod. So when you want to replace the fuel pump you start by putting the engine on #1 TDC of the compression stroke, remove that copper washer'ed 3/8" bolt and screw a longer 3/8" bolt into the hole until it firmly bottoms out against the push rod. With the bolt screwed firmly against the push rod you can remove the pump and install the new one. After you get the new pump bolted in place remove the longer bolt and then reinstall the shorter bolt with the copper washer.

Alan 71

Hi r,
The Chassis Service Manual suggests that IF the pushrod slides down when removing the pump... putting some heavy grease on the rod will hold it up in place while you reinstall the fuel pump.
Regards,
Alan

Richard454

After putting grease on it- put it the freezer for 30 minutes or so- then it holds even better.

Richard

kansas123

That's what worked for me, piece a cake.

Taijutsu

Thanks everyone.
I can't finish today, but I have everything set up.

buns

I guess they gave up on this fancy tool.
From the '66 Service Manual:

Taijutsu

As usual, one pic is worth several screw-ups.

derekderek

first off, make sure push rod goes all the way in. might have to crank engine while pushing on push rod to feel it go up. then grease or hold it with the dipstick.

sunflower 1972

Wow! Completely forgot about 'mechanical fingers'. My father (God rest his soul) had a set in his tool box. I remember playing with them when I was a kid. Thank you for the memory.

TimAT

LOL-- I recall that in the service manual-- tried it too. The pushrod is so slick the fingers couldn't get a bite and hold it. I've tried everything I can think of to hold that rod-- The bolt in the front, big wads of grease, if you can think of it I probably tried it. The grease works as well as anything. And on some cars, getting to that bolt is near the impossible task.

2airtime2

These are some good tips I could have used a month ago.


I installed my new fp while the engine was still on the stand. I rotated the engine and let gravity be my friend.

Tonio

I just use a long screw driver to hold the rod up, insert the pump and let the pump's lever arm take the place of the screw driver, then bolt it up. Don't forget to install the gasket. Btdt.

theandies

I've always used the freezer/grease method. Never had any problems. Just make sure you're TDC so the rod goes in all the way as mentioned

71 Green 454

I had to replace the fuel pump on my '71 BB. I searched this forum and some recommended using a hacksaw blade bent in an L shape to hold the pushrod up to install the fuel pump. I also put some grease on the pushrod and and this method worked for me.

GTR1999

I have used the bolt method for 40 years now, dam I'm getting old. Biggest deal- remember to remove it and replace it with the small one and use sealer on the threads, otherwise you're not going to like that first startup noise.

rberman999

When I replaced my fuel pump I used the push button mechanical claw tool as shown in the previous post. Worked very well with no issues, very simple approach with a tool most of us have in our tool box. I hadn’t even seen this approach in my FSM, it listed the heavy grease method.