So yesterday I dug into reiplacing the mechanical fuel pump on the 1987 Formula Firebird.

Not too much trouble getting the old one off, but spent close to three hours trying to get the new one on.

Finally stopped for the day rather than stay frustrated at it.

Is there a trick to getting the new fuel pump seated or am I missing something? This is the last step in getting it on thee road for the first time in 13 years.

HELP!!

 

Not sure where you're getting hung up on it but...

It's not going to "seat" because the spring on its arm gets compressed long before it touches the engine.

It works by way of a rod that's about 6" long, with one end up against an eccentric (sort of like a lobe but not exactly; more like an off-center circle, as its name implies) on the cam. As the cam turns, then when the eccentric pushes the rod down, the rod pushes the arm against the spring, and that makes the "suction" stroke of the pump. Then as the cam turns to where the eccentric allows the rod to return back up into the block, the spring in the pump pumps fuel to the carb, and the same spring tension is what pushes the rod back up.

Disconnect the pink wire to the coil, and have your assistant BUMP the starter while you hold the rod up in there with your finger. As s/he bumps it over, have them stop when the rod is all the way up as far as it goes. Then take the bolt that's there now out of this bolt hole, and get a long bolt (2" or so should do the trick) and put it in the hole, FINGER TIGHT ONLY against the rod, to hold the rod up there as far up as it goes.



Then put on the pump... you probably still won't be able to get it to sit up against the block, but it should be close enough to get the bolts started.

Then take out the long bolt you put in that hole, and put the one you took out back, with a drop of sealer on the threads. And of course, hook the coil back up before you try to start it. Pour some fuel into the bowl vent on top of the carb, and acoupla ounces of fuel into the intake manifold, to make it easier to start up the first time.

 

Thanks for the input! I think that the rod being all the way forward is the issue so I will try your directions!

 

Use a magnet to lift the rod into the engine,

Keep it lifted up with a bent piece of metal like a feeler gauge ( home-made,)

Once the pump lever weasels its' way into place at the end of the rod, it's bolt and go.

I have never removed the 4-bolt plate for pump replacement. I have never used the bolt hole in the green circle, and it never takes me 3 hours.

 

Bolt was stuck on the faceplate. Removed the faceplate and bolt moved.

Got the new fuel pump on, but looks like the electric pump relay went out, no continuity on any lead of the relay.