Leaking Fuel Pump - Easy to replace?

[emil77]

The fuel pump on my 72 C20 is leaking, 5.7 V-8. Is this an easy thing to change or am I going to get in over my head? Will gas leak all over me when I change it? Any tips/tricks/comments?

[rob32472]

Easy to change. Lots of Vids on you tube. You will most likely get some fuel on your hands, but nothing major.

[emil77]

I bought the 3 line fuel pump for a 5.7 350 V-8, that's correct?

[toolboxchev]

For a 72? Or California truck? Mine is just a 2, in and out. Mine is a 70. Just crimp the fuel line coming out of the cab with a pair of vise grips. Should stop the flow. Make sure you get the gasket in, and the pushrod goes back in the way it came out.

[Pro299]

Sometimes the pushrod will try to fall out. Some guys use a dab of grease to hold it for the few seconds it takes to get the pump in place. If that doesn't work, most blocks have a tapped hole on the front you can run a bolt into that will hold the rod in place while you get the pump tightened in. Just don't forget to remove that bolt afterward.

[emil77]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

For a 72? Or California truck? Mine is just a 2, in and out. Mine is a 70. Just crimp the fuel line coming out of the cab with a pair of vise grips. Should stop the flow. Make sure you get the gasket in, and the pushrod goes back in the way it came out.

I guess it's a California truck, I have 3 connection pump.

[RichardJ]

Be sure and check the engine oil for over filled from fuel entering crankcase. Check to see how the oil smells.

[In The Ten Ring]

Is your original fuel pump mechanical?

Mine was mechanical and it was a breeze. I removed it, cleaned the old gasket area with sandpaper, cleaned that residue off, and used a Carter replacement (mechanical) pump with new gasket.

I tightened the bolts back in a little bit on each one to get the thing to seat all over instead of tightening down one bolt and then the other.

I watched videos on the process but didn't need to glue the thing down at all. I think mechanical pumps are the way to go.

[70LonghornCST]

Changing a fuel pump will raise your confidence level as a mechanic, that's for sure. Very easy to replace.

[emil77]

Thanks for the info y'all, I'll be doing it Monday with the help of a mechanic friend.

[In The Ten Ring]

I guess California has been more complicated for a long time then.

So you don't just have a mechanical pump on the side of our engine like my 250 does? *Mine is at 9 O'Clock in the pic, the brass-looking round thing.

[emil77]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I guess California has been more complicated for a long time then.

So you don't just have a mechanical pump on the side of our engine like my 250 does? *Mine is at 9 O'Clock in the pic, the brass-looking round thing.

Not sure, mine had 3 lines. One is fuel return, one from gas tank and one is that line that comes up into the engine, carb I think?

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I guess California has been more complicated for a long time then.

So you don't just have a mechanical pump on the side of our engine like my 250 does? *Mine is at 9 O'Clock in the pic, the brass-looking round thing.

Yeah, but yours is upside down!

Gary

[In The Ten Ring]

I went to all the trouble of reaching over my grill and down into the engine bay to change out mine only later to remove the entire front end.........

[emil77]

I swapped it out Monday night, pretty cool experience! I now know what it feels like to have gas drain on you, haha!