Fuel pump frustration in a 69 charger-
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Fuel pump frustration in a 69 charger-
Hello I am new here-
So today I put myself in a good bind. I finally got my ’69 charger back on the road recently after an engine rebuild (383), a painless wire harness install, and a bunch of front suspension work. Doing pretty good, but I notice that I am still drooling a little oil when I get going. So I tracked the source to the fuel pump. Took it off and found a goobered gasket probably done by my old roommate who is a GM guy who helped my with my rebuild. Bought the $2 gasket and figured I would be done soon. Well, I apparently don’t have the sequence right. I noticed that to get the pump back on and have the bolts square, I would need to remove the fuel pump pushrod. Fine, but then how do I get it back in? Maybe get one bolt in, replace the pushrod, then get the second one in? That seemed to work but I had not put the gasket in place to prevent damaging it. Long story short, the second time I only managed to fubar my threads and get nowhere but close. So I need to get the threads fixed (know any one in colorado who does a good job?) But then how do I prevent this from happening again, am I missing something in the sequence? Someone have a tutorial? I have the shop manual and it didn’t have much to offer for the installation. I am pretty mechanical and have worked on many a cars and done almost all the work on this car myself. This is really the first major f-up I have done of this caliber. The fuel pump is an aftermarket carter, so that might be part of the issue. Any advice welcome. Thanks
So today I put myself in a good bind. I finally got my ’69 charger back on the road recently after an engine rebuild (383), a painless wire harness install, and a bunch of front suspension work. Doing pretty good, but I notice that I am still drooling a little oil when I get going. So I tracked the source to the fuel pump. Took it off and found a goobered gasket probably done by my old roommate who is a GM guy who helped my with my rebuild. Bought the $2 gasket and figured I would be done soon. Well, I apparently don’t have the sequence right. I noticed that to get the pump back on and have the bolts square, I would need to remove the fuel pump pushrod. Fine, but then how do I get it back in? Maybe get one bolt in, replace the pushrod, then get the second one in? That seemed to work but I had not put the gasket in place to prevent damaging it. Long story short, the second time I only managed to fubar my threads and get nowhere but close. So I need to get the threads fixed (know any one in colorado who does a good job?) But then how do I prevent this from happening again, am I missing something in the sequence? Someone have a tutorial? I have the shop manual and it didn’t have much to offer for the installation. I am pretty mechanical and have worked on many a cars and done almost all the work on this car myself. This is really the first major f-up I have done of this caliber. The fuel pump is an aftermarket carter, so that might be part of the issue. Any advice welcome. Thanks
Last edited by mopars&vampires; May 11, 2008 at 09:31 PM.
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I would check the part number of the pump to be sure you have a correct pump. All 383 and other related BB engines "can" use the same pump, so if your pump has the right hose connections, and is supposed to fit a 361-383-440, etc, it will fit.
Have you bumped the engine over to get the pushrod "up" as far as it will go? I don't remember any issues with these, but it's been a long time. My recollection is, I put my finger or a scrap of plastic in under the pump rod, and either "bumped" the engine or turned the front nut with a wrench until the rod was "up"
Glue the gasket to the pump, ease the arm under the pump rod and push gently until the pump seats. It's easy to pull the alternator out of the way, so you should be able to see what you're doing.
Have you bumped the engine over to get the pushrod "up" as far as it will go? I don't remember any issues with these, but it's been a long time. My recollection is, I put my finger or a scrap of plastic in under the pump rod, and either "bumped" the engine or turned the front nut with a wrench until the rod was "up"
Glue the gasket to the pump, ease the arm under the pump rod and push gently until the pump seats. It's easy to pull the alternator out of the way, so you should be able to see what you're doing.
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440roadrunner- I think you are 100% correct. I am verifying that I have all right components and I just spoke with another mopar guy who stated that I needed to make sure the pushrod was up more by turning the engine. Too bad I didnt realize I was tearing into my threads until it was too late. Thanks again though
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Ok chased the threads and figured out that I was not pushing the push rod far enough. So, pump installed and no leaks. BUT- suddenly oil is nearly gushing out of my dipstick when I drive (at the top). Its all fine at idle, but when I drive it gushes out the top. I figure that the seal just isnt doing its job since the Auto meter guage says oil pressure is normal and everything seems normal. Is there anything else I should be concerned about? Thanks for further thoughts
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Ok chased the threads and figured out that I was not pushing the push rod far enough. So, pump installed and no leaks. BUT- suddenly oil is nearly gushing out of my dipstick when I drive (at the top). Its all fine at idle, but when I drive it gushes out the top. I figure that the seal just isnt doing its job since the Auto meter guage says oil pressure is normal and everything seems normal. Is there anything else I should be concerned about? Thanks for further thoughts
maybe there is a breather valve on the block? or the pressure isn't being sent somewhere, a clog...if the breather valve doesn't work it will go anywhere it can and sometimes even **** up more stuff then you will ever want, its almost like having standing water in your pistons
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Yeah, I figured it out and its a little embarrassing. I was looking thru the shop manual and came upon a diagram of the PCV system and suddenly realized in our haste I had never installed a breather at all. Things had been OK because the fuel pump never sealed and air could get in there. When I sealed things it became a problem. So, one $7 twist on-breather later, I think things are good again. Thanks for the help though guys. CoryOriho- You would have been the solution if I hadnt stumbled onto it about an hour before I read your post
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This is crazy that I have the same problem with the pump. for the life of me I cant get that thing back on. Tried bumping the motor over, just seems the shaft is in the way from proper fitment. So I need to crank it over and the shaft will move out of the way for the pump arm??
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