Fuel pump push rod has lots of play ..?

[86grannygear]

Changed my Mechanical fuel pump and the push rod coming from the engine has no tension on it ... I simply pushed it up with my finger with no resistance and installed the pump . My question is if that is normal?? . I have not fired it up yet ... Worried I might cause damage to the rod .... Someone suggested I turn the crankshaft the. Install it ... Should I pull the pump off and create tension on the rod by turning the crankshaft and reinstall ? Am I good to start the truck ..?

Thanks forum !

[86grannygear]

1986 Chevy c10 custom deluxe 4 speed 8 ft bed

[winky]

You should be fine. I usually put grease on mine to hold it up in there then just bolt the pump on. The cam lobe is on the low side. If you just wanna double check for some reason you can turn the engine and it'll push the rod down I prefer to have slack so it'll be easy to bolt up

[86grannygear]

Awesome ! Thanks for info!

[bake74]

     You could always turn the engine over by hand and make sure.

[winky]

My bad. I meant turn by hand when I said turn it.