440 Fuel Pump pushrod issues result in NO PUMP?

[Big John SFV]

Three times I've installed the new mechanical fuel pump in my customer's RV and it has no more fuel pressure than when I got it. Yes, the arm is installed UNDER the pushrod that I put a dab of grease on to hold it in place during installation. I have tried "priming" the line,using a 5 gal can two feet from the pump (didn't draw any fuel from it) because it's a fuel PUMP, not fuel SUCK and the tank is quite a distance away, filled the carb and fired it...NOTHING!! I did notice however, the pushrod doesn't seem to be moving very far. At least not far enough to make the pump work. Could the rod possibly be that worn? The eccentric be broken? I'm going to pull the rod tomorrow and check it. Any idea?

 

[turbine68rt]

How close is the rod length to 3.22"?

 

[pnora]

Are you sure the cam is turning? Possible broken timing chain or gear.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Yeah, sounds like the pump isn’t moving

 

[turbine68rt]

He said he "filled the carb and fired it".
Didn't say how long it stayed running.

 

[Dutchrebuild]

Cam eccentric warn out on cam
Push rod to pump warn out
Fuel pump junk

 

[Daves69]

Have you checked for fuel restrictions in the line and sender before the pump?

 

[pnora]

He said he "filled the carb and fired it".
Didn't say how long it stayed running.

He said [[[filled the carb and fired it...NOTHING!!]]]] I guess you could read that two ways. So does fire it mean it cranked and no fuel pressure or does it mean it cranked and started with no fuel pressure. I guess if he said it started and ran that would eliminate the cam not turning.

 

[Big John SFV]

Are you sure the cam is turning? Possible broken timing chain or gear.

I checked. It's turning at the rotor but has about 20° of crankshaft rotation before top end catches up. I informed the owner of possible consequences of not replacing timing chain and she declined. My pushrod came in at 3.125". Kinda short.

 

[Big John SFV]

Three times I've installed the new mechanical fuel pump in my customer's RV and it has no more fuel pressure than when I got it. Yes, the arm is installed UNDER the pushrod that I put a dab of grease on to hold it in place during installation. I have tried "priming" the line,using a 5 gal can two feet from the pump (didn't draw any fuel from it) because it's a fuel PUMP, not fuel SUCK and the tank is quite a distance away, filled the carb and fired it...NOTHING!! I did notice however, the pushrod doesn't seem to be moving very far. At least not far enough to make the pump work. Could the rod possibly be that worn? The eccentric be broken? I'm going to pull the rod tomorrow and check it. Any idea?

I pulled the rod and got 3.125". What's new length supposed to be?

 

[ckessel]

I hope you have the issues and feedback from the customer written down and signed. Stops wedding bells.

 

[Big John SFV]

How close is the rod length to 3.22"?

3.125"

 

[Big John SFV]

I hope you have the issues and feedback from the customer written down and signed. Stops wedding bells.

LOL! She's more hard headed than my bulldog! "It ran fine once I started using starting fluid to start it...oh yeah, and just a little squirt to help it get up that big hill." I WISH I WAS JOKING!!!

 

[Big John SFV]

He said he "filled the carb and fired it".
Didn't say how long it stayed running.

Til the gas ran out of the float bowl

 

[ckessel]

The kind of customer that needs to be corralled in with paperwork, signed and copy given to owner, so that there are no "you touched it" problems later. A hard learned lesson in my past life. Cover your ***.

 

[Big John SFV]

He said [[[filled the carb and fired it...NOTHING!!]]]] I guess you could read that two ways. So does fire it mean it cranked and no fuel pressure or does it mean it cranked and started with no fuel pressure. I guess if he said it started and ran that would eliminate the cam not turning.

Ran with no fuel pressure. Just what I put in carb.

 

[Big John SFV]

The kind of customer that needs to be corralled in with paperwork, signed and copy given to owner, so that there are no "you touched it" problems later. A hard learned lesson in my past life. Cover your ***.

Oh yeah. I learned a looooong time ago that non "car people" that "know about cars, grew up watching my daddy" are the most dangerous kind. They always have that friend telling them what a crappy mechanic they took it to. When it purrs they say you got lucky! Fun fun fun!

 

[Big John SFV]

Have you checked for fuel restrictions in the line and sender before the pump?

I ran hose from pump inlet to a 5 gallon tank above pump level (to be sure pump had fuel in line, primed). Nothing out of outlet

 

[turbine68rt]

I pulled the rod and got 3.125". What's new length supposed to be?

3.22". You're only missing about 1/8". I doubt that's enough to create a no-delivery situation (I've seen worse), but would suggest finding a replacement rod regardless. I'd be suspecting the cam eccentric at this point.