350 zz4- fuel pump push rod- whats the trick?
 

There MUST be a double top secret way to hold the fuel pump push rod in the "UP" position while you fumble around installing the fuel pump.
And don't go tellin me:
a.theres a bolt on the block front face to remove and install a longer bolt that will hold the rod in the up position....
or.......
b. a blob of axle grease on the rod will hold it up..
There is such close clearance around the fuel pump:ack:that it took me an hour to install.....that push rod MUST have a way to be held up....Anybody wanna share their procedure? :thumbs:

I always use a long thin screwdriver, push the pushrod up as far as it will go, hold it with the shaft of the screwdriver, and slip the pump arm in. Kinda tricky, but it'll go. Once the arm is in, keep the pump aligned as much as possible. Usually takes me two or three tries.

:iagree: I use a hack saw blade in place of the screwdriver, but same concept.

Or you can just remove the bolt going thru the front of the block that lines up with the pushrod.replace it with a longer one.snug it with rod in the block but don't crank down on it.it will hold long enough to install the pump.just don't forget to remove it and install the shorter one before you crank it.it gets noisy.right out of the chilton manual.

wheel bearing grease!!!!

There IS NO SUCH port on the block front of a ZZ4 small block . Actually, ther eis a port, but it has a bottom, it does NOT go thru the block into the pushrod cavity.

Did NOT work for me. Even made sure the pushrod was bone dry,free of engine oil.

I install ZZ4 rotating assy several times a year on Marine applications. Basically the same type of fuel pump and push rod. I do grease the push rod with synthetic grease, but to hold it up. I use a 8" long feeler gauge .030. Another item which can be used is a patch knife.
Al

Did you 'bump' the engine over until the camshaft lobe for the fuel pump was "off" the rod? If not, you'll never get it together. Once you have the pressure off the rod, grease will keep the rod in the 'up' position until you get the fuel pump seated.

What he said. :yesnod:

TDC on #1 is where you want to be.
That puts the pump cam at lowest lift.
Doug

BTW, I should have specified firing position, #1 TDC. The other TDC will put the pushrod cam exactly where you don't want it.

Doug

I just made sure the cam was set to leave the rod high up in the block and held it in with my finger as I put the pump and arm up in there. when I pulled my finger out the rod dropped on the pump arm and I just started the bolts from there.

:iagree:
This is what I did Sig, but with the close quarters it took a few tries. Like an hours worth!. The pushrod was able to move up so there was no need to "bump" the motor, cam lobe was in the up position already.
Thanks for all the ideas. I was in hopes there was a radical, new, double-top secret procedure that I didnt know about. :ack:

First you have to turn the car on it's roof, just kidding. I've always used wheel bearing grease to hold it up, use a pretty good wad too. Make sure the cam is off the lobe and it should work.

more grease...

Hack saw blade, long screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, push-it-up-and-move-really-fast, lotsa bad words, and beer in an autoparts parking lot that my friend brought by one time. These have all worked for me.

The bad words and beer worked best...

Could I get the lady in your avatar to help ?