[johnnybgoode]

I decided to do some preventative maintenance and swap out my 15 year old Holley fuel pump with a new Edelbrock Victor Jr. 130 GPH mechanical pump. The old pump was down to 4.5 pounds of pressure and while still OK I did not want to end up getting stranded someplace with no fuel pressure.

To get access from the top I pulled the PS pump, loosened the pump mounting bolts a couple of turns and rotated the motor until I could feel the eccentric come off the pump lever and then removed the pump. In doing the mock-up I found it very difficult to hold the pump in place and start the bolts at the same time so cut the head off of a 3/8" x 1.5" bolt and slotted it with my Dremel. I then used this as a pin to help hold the pump while I started the other bolt without fear of cross-threading the timing cover. Worked like a charm. Once the first bolt was tight it was easy to remove the "pin" with a screwdriver and install the second bolt. Used a little Form a Gasket #2 and tighten to 20ft/lb. Easy-peasy. Scott

 

[CraigS]

Good idea. I was able to install mine pretty easily since it was on the stand at the time. It would be much more difficult in the car so this is a great tip.

 

[chris n]

nice trick , ive been a master certified mechanic since 78 dam i was 16 then , i used to install a stud on in that rear bolt hole on fords as well as the gm stuff , and just leave it and put a nut on it , but a trick i learned was to use weatherstrip glue on the removable parts ie thermostat fuel pump valve covers then the form a gasket on the other side , the glue holds the gaskets in place and you dont get messy smearing the rtv every where , it helped a lot back in the day when you had i a mile of vacuum hoses to fish a valve cover through to put on , just my 2 cents

 

[Sbend65]

Also to consider: If you rotate the motor to where the eccentric is at it’s lowest (highest?) point helps a lot. I like the studs idea best.

 

[CraigS]

One more tip re; mech fuel pump. Some models allow the top portion to be clocked in relation to the bottom portion. This can help a lot in some situations so you can have the fuel line nipples run more the direction you would prefer. Like this one.
Small Block Ford V8 Mechanical Fuel Pump, 80 GPH (speedwaymotors.com)