My Chilton's has a vaguely worded warning about not letting the fuel pump pushrod fall out when replacing the fuel pump. Is this something I need to look out for?

No, you don't need to worry about it. That is a SBC problem/issue, not a Pontiac issue. You need to be aware that the lever has to go UNDER the eccentric. As you install the fuel pump, point the lever downward until the fuel pump flange contacts the timing cover. Don't forget the gasket.

If you have an SBC then worry about the push rod.

That's why you need to trash the Chiltons and get a Pontiac service manual. The Chiltons goes from 67 to 81 and since they started to put Chevy 305's in birds in 79(?)they loaded up the whole book with Chevy photos and instructions. Like Q says, only chevy's have pushrods.

hi dude...i'm running a chevy powered bird too. no, the pushrod will not fall out of the engine however, it will drop when pulling the pump out.

I've got the original 326 so the pushrod shouldn't be relevant. Thanks for all the good info.

I have the Pontiac service manual but it doesn't have removal/reinstall directions for the fuel pump. Since there's no pushrod, maybe they felt it wasn't necessary. I use the Chilton's for another perspective on things. Sometimes, like now, it's less than useful.

Burn the Chiltons manual at your new years eve bonfire, and stick with the Pontiac service manual. I think its actually cheaper on most websites. We have the complete manual on CD if you need it that way. For FREE!!

Go to this site for you manual:
http://www.1968firebird.org/index.html

There are also CD versions on ebay all the time.

Classic Industries and Ames have a whole selection of repro shop manuals. It's nice to have the paper versions. With the Pontiac service manual, the firebird supplement, and the Fisher body manual for your year, plus the collective knowlege of the people here, there's nothing you can't do.