Trouble instlling a new Carter OE fuel pump

[Grec]

Having trouble getting the new fuel pump to seat properly. Leaving a big gap at the top.

I can feel the push rod in there and am thinking that has to be moved so the pumps plunger can get under it...

What's the trick?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Having trouble getting the new fuel pump to seat properly. Leaving a big gap at the top.

I can feel the push rod in there and am thinking that has to be moved so the pumps plunger can get under it...

What's the trick?

You said pushrod so im assuming big block, correct? just clarifying. 

[Grec]

Yeah.

Sorry.

440.

[Oldschool]

Get a little heavy grease--(axle type grease) and put it on your little finger tip.  Now stick your greasy little finger inside to the push rod and apply some grease to it and slide the push rod all the way inside the push rod bore.  Now apply a liitle more grease around the push rod.  This should have just enough friction to keep the rod up out of your way until you can get the pump mounted.  As soon as the engine fires, the grease heats up and gets absorbed into the oil and is of no further concern.  At least that's how we did it back when the dinosaurs roamed........         

[Grec]

Thanks, Oldschool.  That got the rod out of my way.

Still having trouble getting the pump to seat correctly, but I will hopefully be able to figure it out. :-)

[Grec]

One more question... :-)

It it ever necessary to turn the motor a bit to get the pushrod to be able to recess further?

I ask this because I'm still having a bit of trouble getting the pump to seat and am wondering if the cam just needs to rotate a bit.

[Oldschool]

That might help.  If you have an assistant, have them slowly turn the front of the crank with a rachet and socket while you have you finger on the rod and let them know when the rod is all the way inside it's bore....        

[Grec]

Yeah, I'm thinking it's hitting the cam lobe.

When I push the rod in, it still sticks out about 1/3 or so of an inch.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You could try just touching the key to turn the cam a little. I had a bear of a time getting my pump on too. It would have been easier to move the alternator out of the way, but I tend to be lazy sometimes. You have to push the pump towards the block as you try to bolt it on. The lever will move a little when it makes contact with the pushrod.

  Mike

[Grec]

The alternator will most likely get pulled. I got really tired of trying to focus between the alt bracket and block trying to see that left-side bolt.

Using the key to turn her might be a good way to do it, too. Would be hit-or-miss a couple of times, I would think, as reflexs probably aren't good enough to time a half turn. :-)

[Chryco Psycho]

as long as it is under the pushrod you can tighten the bolts up the factory bolts are approx 1.5 " long & will reach with the pushrod out

[Grec]

That's what I thought, too.

But I'm finding that the top of the pump isn't laying flush with the block when I tighten it down.

The bolts start to get real tight with maybe 1/4 of an inch to go as they try to correct a cant in the pump.

Visualize the pump touching the block at the bottom but not at the top.

It's the correct pump, by-the-way.

The one I took off does the same thing.

[Chryco Psycho]

you are Positive you have the end of the lever Under the pushrod ?
 the only time the pump will not sit flat is when the lever is pushing on the top of the pushrod , even with grease on it the pushrod will ften slide down before you can get the lever under the pushrod , I usually hold the rod up with a screwdriver & just hook the end of the lever into the block , I changed one about this time last night

[Grec]

No, I'm not sure the lever is positioned correctly.

I'm gonna get the alternator out of the way so I can have some room and give it another shot.

I'm reasonably sure the rod was staying up with the grease I applied, but I'll give the screwdriver technique a try.

I know this is supposed to be something that should take less than an hour to do...

Next time. :-)

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Not that this will help with your problem, but once you do get the pump bolted to the block, take a wrench and make sure the brass input/output fittings are nice and tight in the pump. If they aren't, they will leak. 


  Mike