fuel pump problems

[Jeremy_5]

Well I know this is not the right place to post but I always get better response here. Anyways I was working on my girlfriends dad 77, it wouldn't start, and I smelled gas in the oil, so I figured it was the fuel pump, well what I thought would be a 30min-1 hour job is still not finished.
My question is, when you crank the engine by hand to get the rod that actuates the pump farther up what way do you crank it, and should it stop when the engine is at TDC? It just kept turning and turning and the rod does not seem like it is up far enough. When I try to get the pump on it doesn't quite fit right. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I don't want to mess up his truck

[cableguy0]

you gotta push the rod up with your finger it isnt attached to the cam in any way it just rides on it the pump arm on the fuel pump holds it up tight. just put your finger in there and push it up then slide the pump in

[thisolechevy]

sometimes a little slotted screwdriver works nice, just find something to push the rod up into place and then replace the pump.

[super-k]

Depending on cam position,the rod may not allow pump to mate fully to block.Just start the two bolts,then tighten down.The pump arm will depress and let pump body to be drawn into block.Also,I use a brake adjusting tool to hold rod while I slip the pump arm into place.

[1972C10]

if its a small block you can hold the rod up by putting a longer bolt in the top hole on the front of the engine on the same side as fuel pump .

[FRENCHBLUE72]

You can also use vaseline to hold the rod up untill the pump is bolted down..

[Jeremy_5]

I know the rod is not attached to the cam, but doesn't the cam actuate the fuel pump by pushing down on the rod and in turn make the rocker arm on the pump go down? If this is true wouldn't it be difficult to get the fuel pump rocker arm in the block if the cam is the wrong position? Once it gets to a certain point the rod stops, what is it contacting? I was under the assumption that is was contacting a cam lobe, and that by cranking the engine over by hand you could turn the cam so the rod will go further up. Maybe I am just all confused, so if someone could staighten me out I would appreciate it

super-k, thanks for the help it was a pain, but I did what you said and got the pump in, I had no problem keeping the rod up once I pushed it up it stayed up, never had that happen before

[Jeremy_5]

top.....

[thisolechevy]

O.k. here we go.... yes the cam "pushes" the pump rod up and down. BUT without turning over the engine the pump will go on!!!! follow these steps carefully
1. pull the rod out and make sure it is VERY clean, then put a good coat of bearing grease or vasaline on it.
2. replace the rod and make sure it seated fully on the cam. The grease or vasaline should hold the rod in place for now, if not use a thin hard tool to hold up onto the cam.
3. next place the fuel pump in position, it may seat all the way to the block, thats o.k. if it doesn't seat fully on the block try to start the bolts anyways. If all else fails get a longer bolt to start one side and begin pulling the pump to the block (BE careful not to go to far and break something) now start the other bolt(s)
4. after getting one original bolt in remove the long one and put all bolts in.
5. then tighten all bolts and connect lines and you are good to go

[jimfulco]

I think it'll go farther in if the #1 cylinder is in firing position.