Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

(85 C10 305)

I pulled my old fuel pump cleaned and prepared everything. I tried using needle-nose pliers and thin screwdriver to try and pry the pushrod up but it is not budging. What do you think is going on here?

Should I attempt to take that pushrod plate off to try to get to it?

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

I use a hacksaw blade to get under the end of the rod to get it started up. I have never had any luck with needle nose pliers on the rod.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

they are tricky for sure at the angle there at in a tight hole with oil on them .

also lots of people dont know you can pull the bolt from the front face of the engine in the area of the pushrod tube and install a longer bolt to hold it up in place as you get the new pump installed . then remove the long bolt and reinstall the short bolt .

good write up http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...k_Chevy_engine

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Oh yeah, fun times getting that rod up. I usually start trying to twist it with my index finger. If I get it to turn a little it will usually start moving up. Then I use the long bolt trick to hold it up.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Thanks for the heads-up on the long bolt trick. I ended up using thick transmission assembly grease to hold the pushrod up when I replaced the pump, but I'll be sure to keep that bolt in the truck's emergency stash of assorted tools and fluids.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Many oil leaks have been misdiagnosed because of that missing bolt or no sealant on the short bolt.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

X2 on the hacksaw blade

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Neat idea on the longer bolt. I had a real bear of a time on the fuel pump twenty years ago on the '86 Suburban I used to have. Only later did I learn of the old trick of using grease to hold up the rod while installing the pump. That would've definitely helped on my 350.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Hacksaw blades don't bend...they break.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

I can not budge it with my finger that's the thing it feels like it is stuck it doesn't move at all, what about removing that bottom cover plate to get to it? I really need some help here.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

I’ve used long nose needle nose pliers before.
Gripped it, lifted it and slid a hacksaw blade in so it wouldn’t get stuck down again.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Won't hurt anything to take that cover off, the push rod is most likely resting against it anyway.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

I guess that is good information for something....

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

Ok, I took the bolts off the cover and somehow that loosed the pin from it's resting position, from there I was able to scoot a bent hacksaw blade in there and push it out of the way.

A couple of points:
- Hacksaw blades are not automatically bendable. You need to look for the ones that are marked flexible and even then I would heat them before bending.

- Not everyone's small block has the holes for the long bolt trick, I know mine doesn't

- That mine coupled with the awkward position of the mounting bolts makes for a job that should be a snap into a very difficult job. Whoever designed that crap needs to go back to engineering school.

Re: Fuel pump pushrod won't budge
 

I learned that one about 20 years ago. Wish I'd heard about it 20 years before that...
Around 1981 or 82 the 350 in Dad's 1978 G20 van needed a fuel pump. I had a devil of a time with the pushrod.