Hello all i am new here. Im not sure if im in the right place for this question, but here goes. Im trying to figure out what is screwed into the block on the drivers side next to the distributor. It may have to do with the emissions stuff ??

 

The ledge on the block, left of the distributor, is a port for measuring oil pressure. Very often an oil pressure switch is installed there, and that switch may have multiple functions.

 

As above, it's probably the oil pressure sender, but to be certain, post a pic of the part in question.

 

Here is the part in question

 

The large can on the right is for the dash oil pressure gauge.

The smaller unit going toward the rear of the car is the fuel pump relay back up switch.

If the distributor opening is going to be open for a while, may want to shove a rag or a paper towel in there to prevent anything from falling in. Not too far in though, just enough to keep foreign objects out.

RBob.

 

Ok so do i need the fuel pump back up relay switch with my manual fuel pump ? And does that switch indicate theres a fuel pump in the gas tank ? Sorry for all the questions i just bought the car 2 weeks ago. And the distributor is in the hole i just removed it for the picture, but thats for the advise

 

There *was* a fuel pump in the gas tank originally. Is it still there 34 years after manufacturing? My guess is no one here will be able to tell you.

GD

 

My understanding is that many carb'd f-bodys have an in tank pump. Most likely to prevent vapor lock.

RBob.

 

'87 LG4

should have a low pressure fuel pump in the tank. it's used in conjunction with the block mounted pump.

it must either be kept or completely removed. the block mechanical pump will not pull through it efficiently if it is dead/not running.

 

Ok guys got my car running today some what but im having a fuel issue now. My (new) mechanical fuel pump doesnt seem to be pumping from the tank or a container and my electric fuel pump is flooding the engine. The previous owner had the electric fuel pump up on the fender. I know thats to close to the engine right ? My next step is to drop the tank i guess. So my question is how rare is it that the lobe that pushes the fuel pump rod is wore down or broken ?

 

it is rare for them to wear down, but fairly common for a 'new' motor to be swapped in that doesn't have that lobe on the cam.

many 350 replacement motors available back in the 90's would likely be truck replacements for FI applications (LO5) and wouldn't have come with the lobe. that's probably why the previous owner installed a fenderwell mounted electric pump.

the electric pump can still be plumbed through the mechanical unit to take advantage of the fuel return line (which is necessary for this chassis) even if the mech pump is not operating.

 

I am fairly sure it is the original motor to the car and there is a pin for the mechanical fuel pump in the block. Is there anyway to test the mechanical fuel pump ?

 

No real good way to test it, other than replacing. It's SOOOOOOOOOOPER CHEEEEEEEEEEEP, like $15. I hate throwing parts at a car unnecessarily but sometimes it's cheeeeeeper and eeeeeeeeeeezier to do that than it is to "troubleshoot" or "test"; this is one of those times.

 

If i do a ecm delete can i still use a in tank fuel pump ?

 

if you control the in tank pump relay some other way.