Fuel Pump Push Rod woes

[JamesRKing72]

Hey all. I don't know what I should do next so I am wanting some advice. I rebuilt my '71 350 sb and have about 500 miles on it maybe. All stock, bored 30 over, original rebuilt carb, so no big cam or crank.

I finally got the courage to take it out on the road and it sputters and dies. It doesn't start for a couple more months then only runs for a short couple days. I thought I messed up the carb so had that rebuilt again. Bought 2 new fuel pumps and new fuel line. Still no gas to the carb, so I'm thinking it must be the fuel push rod, please don't be the fuel pump push rod.

Well it is, the end broke off up at the cam shaft. My question is:
1. What would make it break like this?
2. What do I do next? (I have to find that missing end piece)

Was thinking of getting a long magnet on a stick, poke it up there and hope that piece sticks. If it's steel and not brass. I don't know if there is room for it to go far.
Suggestions?

[Ironangel]

It is steel and not brass. Is there a long bolt in the hole in the front of the block, inline with the shaft? Alot of guy's dont realize that there is a bolt hole inline with the fuel pump shaft...? A short bolt or plug usually fills the hole to eliminate oil leaks. When a fuel pump change is in order, a long bolt is installed to hold the shaft while the fuel pump is changed... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=138417

[VetteVet]

here's the specs on the rod. measure it against yours and see how much is gone from yours. That will tell you how much is missing. Most likely it fell in the oil pan. You will need to check for shavings in the oil and change it.



Fuel Pump Pushrod Material:
Chromoly


Fuel Pump Pushrod Tip Material:
Chromoly


Lightweight:
No


Diameter (in):
0.500 in.


Length (in):
5.750 in.


Quantity:
Sold individually.


Notes:
Fits roller and non-roller camshafts.

[JamesRKing72]

@ironangel Thank you, yes there is a short bolt installed currently.
I didn't know the rods were made with the disk cap end, I thought they were all one solid piece so just threw me when I saw that disc shaped end missing.

[JamesRKing72]

Thanks @VetteVet I'll measure it when I get back home and see how much is gone. It looks like it just a short disc section that was added to the ends. I can see a small line on the other end that was against the fuel pump lever. I is a "Comp Cams" brand push rod but I'm sure they are mostly all the same.

[JamesRKing72]

Another angle of the end that is missing. You can see the metal wrap that was holding it in place. Kinda weird it would come off, I hope it's just in one piece.

[mike16]

Originally Posted by ironangel

it is steel and not brass. Is there a long bolt in the hole in the front of the block, inline with the shaft? Alot of guy's dont realize that there is a bolt hole inline with the fuel pump shaft...? A short bolt or plug usually fills the hole to eliminate oil leaks. When a fuel pump change is in order, a long bolt is installed to hold the shaft while the fuel pump is changed... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=138417

x2

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by JamesRKing72

Another angle of the end that is missing. You can see the metal wrap that was holding it in place. Kinda weird it would come off, I hope it's just in one piece.

I have only seen solid steel fuelpump push rods, what you have looks like junk

[NoNeck]

COMP Cams (first photo) has a reputation for being a problem solver. When a HIGH PRESSURE fuel pump is run with a steel ROLLER CAM core, the stock fuel pump pushrod is not compatible with the steel core. You can damage an expensive roller cam as a result of wear at the fuel pump lobe. COMP Cams offers several fuel pump pushrods in response to this problem.

Chevrolet Performance Parts chromoly fuel pump pushrod (second photo). If your Chevy fuel pump pushrod needs replaced, the logical place for the best replacement is Chevrolet Performance parts. These strong chromoly replacements are high-quality parts for STEEL, NON-ROLLER camshaft applications.

It looks like you have an incompatible push rod. I would buy a stock fuel pump pushrod and compare the lengths to see just how much material has been worn from the Comp Cams version. That will give you an idea of what metal fragments might be in the engine.

POP

[Boog]

James that is a strange one. I too thought they were all solid steel. Have you notified Comp Cams of this? While a new rod is no major expense any damage in the engine from this failure should be taken care of by the manufacturer. And at the very least CC needs to know to maybe stop selling that particular part # to prevent anyone else from having the same issue.