Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

Every time I have changed a small block pump the rod has practicially fallen out. I then have to put some wheel bearing grease on it for it to stay put while I reinstall the pump. This time I am working with a 260 hp Goodwrench motor and the pump rod does not want to come out. Any ideas?

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

My 283 was all sludged up and I had to use a long pair of needle nose, grab it and twist back and forth. Also, could the bolt on the front of the block be just a tad to long? Hope you get it out.

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

I've had to pull them out before. In theory the cam end of it could "mushroom" a little with wear over time, I suppose.

Haven't worked on a small block for a while, but if you have the cam out it's easier to push it from above than to pull it from below, but if you're just working on the pump you should be able to pull it out with long-nose pliers.

If you can grab it with pliers and get sufficient force on it (ie: a good grip) and it STILL won't come up, then I'd worry, but I bet with a little twisting a pulling it'll come out.

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

X's 2

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

Make sure that the bolt in the front of the engine is not tightened into the rod. One of the bolts is threaded through to assist in holding the rod out of the way when a fuel pump is changed.

Jim

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

I just came in from removing that bolt and it had no effect. I also turned the motor over by hand and the play that was in the rod is gone and now there is not play and it is stuck completely. THis is a low mile crate motor that is very clean inside.

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

OK I got it out but WTF. I think it might be bent. I am going to get a new one tomorrow. It appears to have been swapped from the original motor when they dropped in the crate. I would never personally even think of running a used one on a new engine but to each their own. If it is bent could it have damaged the cam?

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

rod was bent, the new rod travels freely

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

Somebody must have torqued the heck out of the front bolt to bend that rod, or put a big burr on it. Glad you got it out! :metal:

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

So how did you get it out? Did needle nose pliers work? I'm in a similar situation but had to pull my cam out and it's still stuck :(

Re: Fuel pump rod seems stuck
 

I ended up finally getting it out by twisting and pulling at the same time. It is now 11k miles later and no problems.