Fuel pump fuel rod

[edsterp]

Hi all, I have a 1975 Chevy stepside with a 350 motor and I have a big problem and 1 question.

first the question, I bought a gastank from a Chevy diesel to replace my gas fuel take is there any problems I should know about? The tank was in excellent condition and was only $30 and matched my tank perfect except the hole that goes from tank to filler was a Little bigger. Now my problem I bought a new fuel pump and when I went to put it in I couldn't move the pushrod out of the way . I tried cranking it little by little and it wont budge I cant pull it out or push it in. And yes I removed the bolt in the front of engine. Also I had someone crank it while I looked at it and there was no movement at all on the rod. any suggestions?

[1979C20]

The rod goes from the bottom corner of the engine towards the center of the engine, so gravity pulls it down and it will not move. When the pump is installed, it pushes the rod against a lobe on the cam shaft and when the cam shaft turns it pushes it down, then the pump springs it back up. Grab a chisel and hammer it into the front of the rod, just enough to make a dent where the chisel will catch. Then slide it up. Its a big pain. Once you slide it up  run a long bolt through the hole until it presses on the rod to hold it in place, then install your pump. Make sure you install the proper length bolt afterwards as to not damage the rod. Thats how I did mine.

[edsterp]

hey thanks but that didnt work because the rod was bent pretty good. I dont know how . So made a special tool the had 4 set screws on it. was pain in the ass to get small allen wrench in the set screww but once tight i wedged it out put new one and workd fine now.

[Blazin]

In all the years playing with Chevy's I have never had to mess with the bolt. I just use my fingers, sometimes a screw driver to slide the rod up, and slip the pump arm underneath it.
If that rod is bent you should replace it. the resistance is going to over work your pump, and possibly do premature wear on the cam lobe.

[thirsty]

Grab a chisel and hammer it into the front of the rod, just enough to make a dent where the chisel will catch.

I would not do this. The rod should move up and down easy enough. If it doesn't find out why. I do it the Blazin suggested also. You can also just take off the plate that holds it from falling completely out and move it up if you had to but then you have to make it stay in position while you put the plate back on and again for the pump.

[txchainsawgogi]

yeah i can move mine around easily. is it seized in place? when you took off the old fuel pump did you feel the rod slide down or anything?

[beastie_3]

Grab a chisel and hammer it into the front of the rod, just enough to make a dent where the chisel will catch.

I would not do this.

high school auto shop...

[txchainsawgogi]

Grab a chisel and hammer it into the front of the rod, just enough to make a dent where the chisel will catch.

I would not do this.

high school auto shop...

Haha... if its THAT stuck, what could be the cause?

[Blazin]

Yeah no chisel usage on that rod. I have seen grease used to keep it up in place for long enough to slip[ the pump arm in under it. I have never had any luck with the grease method myself. But have seen and old timer do it successfully.