A basic 110 gph pump for a 69 - 400 bird I keep hearing about getting a push rod out of the way. I do not feel anything when I check inside the fuel pump port The pump does not seem to line up correctly. I do feel what might be gear teeth on the right side in the hole for the pump. Not sure if I need to turn the engine a bit I hope not since I would need to do it at the harmonic balancer,
Any insight into why I feel gears and no push rod ?
The pontiac motor doesn't use a pushrod or the cam for the fuel pump. It has an eccentric cupped roller on the front of the top of the timing chain. As it comes around it rides on that pump lever pushing it down and then relieving pressure as it rides up. So what happened to you is it was preloaded w/ pressure on the lever when you loosened it. So now when you try to put the old or new back in the lever is hitting the roller and not allowing you to line it up. Be careful don't try to start the bolts and pull it in that can cause other problems. Just turn the motor a little by, hand is best, about half way and then push the pump up to the block w/ the lever a little down when putting it in so it rides under the roller. If it goes flush easily bolt it up after doing your gasket. If it doesn't line up just move the motor a little again till it does. Tighten up the bolts and you done. Now that it's bolted up as it comes around it will push the lever down and pump. Don't muscle the pump in there that lever takes alot of pressue to move. Good luck Jim
You can turn the motor to a spot that does not make pressure on the fuel pump arm. Then it should install straight on. Otherwise you have to angle the arm down as you slip it in and then apply pressure up till you can get the bolts started in the timing cover. At that point you can go ahead and cinch it down with the bolts. Note, when doing this it's easier to cross thread the bolts so use some caution when tightening the bolts down.