I have an 86 Firebird, V8 carburated, manual 5-speed. The mechanical fuel pump, on the engine, was damaged and leaking. When removing pump, lever sticking out from pump pushed it to tilt to one side, as soon as first bolt removed. Took pump off, no problem. The new pump is doing the same thing, I can't get both of the bolts to line up, because the lever holds it at an angle. It is impossible for me to hold the pump in place, and put in the bolts. According to Chilton's, it is a simple take off/ put on replacement, no mention of this problem. It does say that a push rod operated by a cam operates the pump. I've tried turning the engine a few revs to get this rod to move but it doesn't seem to. How do I get the pump on? Is there some trick or part of the procedure I'm missing?

 

Try bumping the engine over a few more times. The cam rotates at 1/2 the crankshaft speed, so it takes a little more than a few bumps to get to the heel of the fuel pump eccentric.

 

Hey Thanks, Also heard this from a friend's freind late last night. So I'll just keep at it. And thanks for the quick response.

Have a good day,

PPage

 

I've bumped it a few times, rod stays in fully extended position, in full contact with place where pump mounts. Do I have to physically push the rod in, or will it retract on it's own?

 

You have to physically push it in.

 

rotate the motor by hand off the front pulley spark plugs out will be easiest.
a partner will, while your doing this put pressure on the fuel pump rod and when its all the way in you put the pump on the engine.

if you do this wrong the camshaft or fuel pump will be damaged.