Stupid Mechanical Fuel Pump!

[Chopped53]

I bought the 385 horse SBC carbureted engine from the Chevy Performance catalog a few years ago. It has generally run well. But last week it quit on me with no warning. Figured out it was the fuel pump. Had a heck of a time getting the pump out because the bolt was blocked by some funny-looking little shiny metal rod. Once I finally got it out I realized the rod was a pin that was supposed to hold the pump lever in place. It had slid right out of it's slot. The pin is just friction fit into a hole in the pump! Without that pin, the pump instantly stops pumping. What a stupid design! I got a new aftermarket pump and the rod is firmly held in place. Much better design.

Now I'm ready for the weekend road trip!

Have any of you had this problem before?