Fuel Pump Issue

[Boise68]

My original problem was engine stumbling at higher revs, and then total loss of fuel delivery. Changed to a new mechanical in a parking lot, still no fuel to the carb. Bought an el cheapo electric fuel pump (O'Reilly's) and installed rerouting the fuel lines right at the mechanical fuel pump. I have driven with el cheapo pump for a 1,000 miles no issues.

I have to think my issue is a worn fuel pump pushrod, but earlier attempts to remove the fuel pushrod have been unsuccessful. As suggested, I bought some needle nose vise-grips but cannot grip the fuel rod to remove. The below pics show the pushrod pushed up against the cam lobe illustrating very little of the pushrod protruding at the boss. The second pic shows rod dropped as far as possible--pulling it down with a magnet.

Is the pushrod rounded over at the cam end? How in heck does one remove the pushrod under these circumstances. Thanks ahead, Michael






There will be peace in this valley when that fuel pump rod is removed.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I think your suspicion about the fuel pump rod being wiped off on the end is accurate. You may find yourself having to dismantle some of the engine to get it out.

 

[WP29440SE]

I agree. that rod should slip right out of there. if its getting hung up at the very end then there is a problem.

 

[moparstuart]

hopefully it didnt eat away , I got a bad one from mopar that was to soft against my
hard cam , It ate it away and all the metal went to the main bearing and with in three months after changing it with a hardened pump rod from hughes engines My motor failed . I also added a huge magnetic drain plug to catch any metal but the damage was already done .

 

[WP29440SE]

damn

thanks guys, I just put on a mechanical pump yesterday and bypassed my electric ... LOL

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yep, mushrooming of the cam end sounds like a good possibility. If you don't want to tear down the front of the engine to deal with it I'd just let it sit there and run the electric. Fortunately gravity helps this situation by keeping it away from the cam eccentric.

 

[Boise68]

hopefully it didnt eat away , I got a bad one from mopar that was to soft against my
hard cam , It ate it away and all the metal went to the main bearing and with in three months after changing it with a hardened pump rod from hughes engines My motor failed . I also added a huge magnetic drain plug to catch any metal but the damage was already done .

Stuart, thanks for the tip on getting a magnetic drain plug. From what I know of the engine I would say the pump rod is probably the result of gradual wear, there is no new cam to blame.

Rusty, just curious how much of an engine dismantle would be necessary. Would I be able to address it in the process of changing out the cam?

I appreciate that just leaving the pump rod hanging presents no issues, it's just not knowing that bugs me.

If the electric route, for this mild performance 383 what would be a reliable 'quiet' model to go with?
Again, thanks for all the responses. Michael

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yes, a cam change would enable you to get right to it.

 

[Boise68]

Yes, a cam change would enable you to get right to it.

Now I have my reason for a new cam.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Damn skippy. Like you really needed one? lol