fuel pump push rod

[lime73]

Anybody else ever have a problem with a fuel pump push rod fitting to tight?   i just reinstalled one this summer as i am going back to carb w/ mechanical pump from projection efi with electric pump.   I got a new push rod from Mancini put some assembly lube on it and pushed it in.  I thought it was a bit tight but installed pump anyway. Long story it extends out on cam but will not retract with pump spring.  Only tried cranking it a bit so i don't think i could have done any cam damage.  I think maybe running 4 years without a rod installed maybe gummed up push rod slot a bit.  Maybe I should get a soft bristled small bottle brush and some solvent and get up in there and clean it out.  Then drain and replace oil, check for good tight fit without slop relube and reinstall???  What does everyone think?

[Chryco Psycho]

I have never had that problem , I bet if you put it in a dril & ran some fine emery cloth on it that would fix it

[72cudamaan]

Or try coating the pushrod with brake kleen and sliding it in the bore.
Do this a few times and it will probably work well.

[Cooter]

As easily as these things are Wearing out, I wouldn't run it until it won't stay "up" in the hole unless you put a little grease on it...The way it is  is TOO tight...Should slide right out so much so, that a fuel pump swap is a PITA to keep that rod UP until you have the pump on...

[farmboy70]

Be carefull using a new pump rod. There are some bad replacement ones out there. Very soft and will grind themselves to pieces.
There are lots of postings out there about this.
I almost lost my motor because of one of these.
After it failed I had it checked by a friend and it had no hardness.
Just a heads up.
Dave

[dutch]

Be carefull using a new pump rod. There are some bad replacement ones out there. Very soft and will grind themselves to pieces.
There are lots of postings out there about this.
I almost lost my motor because of one of these.
After it failed I had it checked by a friend and it had no hardness.
Just a heads up.
Dave

do you know how hard it`s supposed to be?

[farmboy70]

I have no number on what it is suppose to be but the one I had was zero hardness on my friends machine.
Dave

[dutch]

ok... zero won`t do the trick for sure... 
I was just wondering how the hardness would be in relation to hardness of the camshaft

[Chryco Psycho]

I would think itshould eb equal to the hardness of a lifter face

[lime73]

I would say this one is hard enough.  I went through a butt load of emery cloth and many batteries in the drill but got it to fit perfect. just sliding back out with out assembly lube.   Thanks for the help guys.