Fuel Pump Installation Help
 

I have a 91 Powerquest w/454 Merc.

I am installing a new fuel pump mounted to the block. Need some help I got it in and everything hooked back up and now I am getting NO fuel at all.

I am assuming that the push rod is not touching the fuel pump correctly.

Any tips, tricks or help?

Thanks in advance.

i read in a thread somewhere that the push rod easily falls down below the cam during installation. may be a start

Did you use the correct merc pump? If Automotive pump tried, rarely does the lever match up with the cam and sleeve on the sea pump.

I vaguely remember something about a short bolt on the front of the block (near the pump area), that when you take this bolt out...you can stick a small diameter rod (maybe a pencil) into to hold up the fuel pump rod. Then you install your pump..take out the improvised small rod (whatever you used), and the fuel pump rod settles back down on the pump arm. Put the short bolt back in...and your done. :drink:

Pitts...I think he has a different setup than your thinking. His is kinda "old school" where the pump is mounted directly to the block. Not the raw water pump mounted fuel pump like your thinking. Your correct about the newer style...this is just a older setup. :drink:

When I changed fuel pumps for the first time on my 91 454 mags, I didn't know about the special bolt you have to get to hold the fuel pump rod compressed until the pump is bolted up tight. One went on fine and the other I cracked the flange on the pump trying to force it on. Then no fuel. There is a bolt you remove on the block, thread a long bolt in to hold the rod in, bolt the pump on, remove the special bolt, replace the small bolt, hookup lines and you are done.

If the rods falls down and it will you cannot get the pump on..best way there is a plug just below the fuel pump, remove that let rod fall out, grease heavily with wheel bearing grease, slide in, grease will hold in place, may have to bump engine over to get rod on the down side to get pump on...but if you got on and no fuel maybe issue before pump ?? pick up, anti siphoning valve, line, etc ?? far as I know all rods the same as are all levers on the pump...marine/auto/H/P

The rod/actuator arm on a mech sea pump style fuel pump is different. But yes, remove the pipe plug under the fuel pump mount on the block, put some grease on the pushrod, and slide it back up. The grease will hold it there while you reinstall the plug, and then mount the pump back on.

I went rounding and rounding with auto pumps, till you told me to get a merc!

Well thankss for all the help everyone. I took out the push rod and sure as **** there was a score on it which was stopping it from going all the way up into the bock.

I took out the push and cleaned it with some emory cloth and it felt great. Went to slide it back in and now it is not moving at all, can't get it out. I had to walk away and take a break for the day, hoping the damn things falls out. I am ordering a push rod at this point, it the rod doesnt come out I plan on spraying it down with WD-40 to get a lube up there and hopefully get it out.

I will keep you all posted, let me know if any of you has run into this fork in the road.

Thanks again for all the info!

Is your mounted to the block...or the raw water pump ? And...if it was me who told you to get a merc pump...thats because thats what is supposed to be on it. :drink:

As far as the push rod and pump lever and fit there is no difference between automotive and Merc pumps. Holley makes some fine marine mechanical pumps as well as Carter,Mallory and Mr. Gasket. Sounds like you didn't have the lever on the push rod correctly when you installed it. As stated earlier turn the engine over so the rod is at it's farthest point in. Makes it a lot easier to install. If the rod is in at it's lower point and stuck turning the engine over should push it out. Roll it on a flat surface and see if it's bent.

FYI did get a brand new marine fuel pump for this job. I know a few of you asked about that.

Marine or standard auto fuel pump will work. I have an extra one if you need one. THERE IS a bolt on the fromt of the block to keep the rod in place. If you overtighten this bolt it will bend the shaft or put a little grove in it and won't come out. YOu might able to use a small screw driver and just keep nudging it down through that bolt hole. YOu can also turn the motor for a sec and it will "push" the rod out enough you can grab it with pliers.
When you install. use some HEAVY WEIGHT greese on the rod. The greese will not let the rod slip out while you get the pump back on. Just put a bunch in the hole and on the rod and just push it up. IT will stay "up" long enough to get the pump back. THe pump will go back in place even if the rod is out. It will just press on the fuel arm, but you won't get any gas.

Good luck.
P

I removed the NPT plug just under the mounting flange, stuck my pinkie in there to hold the rod up, then with my other hand, got the lever of the pump between the rod and my pinkie. I was able to thread a few threads of each bolt in place to hold that position and then tightened them down, making sure that nothing was bound up when tightening.

If the rod was scored, the block may be also. You may need to get a small hone to clean up the block before you go any further. Try bumping the engine over and the cam will push the rod out.

Replaced the push rod with a new one. Greased it up and it stuck in place with no problem.

Reinstalled the pump and everything is working as it should.

Thanks for all the help.