[jtrichard]

IF it is bent or has a burr on it from the bolt it may not just fall out..on big blocks when they put the pump on with out holding the rod up it bends so far that you have to weld another rod/bolt on the end of it to pull it out with.you can see after it is out if it is just a burr and you might be able to file that down and get it working again when you put it back together push the rod up all the way put long bolt back in snug NOT TIGHT then put the pump in... after the pump is tight (DO NOT CRANK ENGINE WITH BOLT IN) then TAKE the long bolt OUT and then put a short bolt in the hole