I've got a `99 goodwrench 5.7 that the previous owner was running with a fenderwell mounted electric pump. I'm ready to ditch the puller and go to a mechanical pump, but the pump rod bore appears to have a plug in it, hollow on the pump end and closed near the cam. This motor was probably a LO5 replacement and I'm thinking this plug was factory installed. How can I get this puppy out? It looks to be a few inches long so it probably won't come out on the cam end. The hollow end is about a half inch up the bore.

 

That's a new one on me. Is the plug perhaps retained by a bolt in the lower RF corner of the block?

 

Drill a hole in it, use a slide hammer.

 

It's a new one on me as well. The fuel pump well is completely dry, so the plug has prevented any oil from draining down. Plug does not appear to be retained by a bolt. I pulled the "smog" pump bolt out, if that's what you're refering to, then tried to pry it out with a driver but there was little to grip. I hesitate to drill it as the closed end seems pretty close to the cam?

 

Is the engine still in the stand? Pull the cam and drive the **** outta there - It should pass the front cam bearing with no trouble. Fishing it out could be a different story.

 

Unfortunately the engine's already in the car. I'm thinking maybe tapping it and pull it out by the tap. When I put it in, I figured the electric pump was because the original cam was missing the fuel pump lobe. Next time I'll know to check.

 

Wanted to close this one. Upon further investigation I found that the bore is not plugged, it just hasn't been bored completely for a pushrod. Why it would be step bored (1/2 inch diameter at bottom for the first inch then maybe 3/8 inch diameter for another couple inches) is beyond me but apparently this is pretty common with these one-piece rms truck replacement engines

 

so... you drilled it out?

 

No, engine is in car. I'm going to learn to live with it and eventually upgrade the in-tank pump. It's in an 87 LG4.