Broken Fuel Pump Push Rod

[Mr.Joshua]

Quick question for a experienced BB engine wiz. Have a broken fuel pump push rod on my 383. Looks like about 1/4" sheared off the cam side. I pulled it and the 1/4" piece is MIA. Where is its likely resting place? I noticed it was broken because it wasn't engaging the fuel pump so the missing piece is somewhere by the cam lobe I'm thinking (it didn't come out with the rest of the rod) .. Anyone ever have this happen?

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Are you sure it’s broken or just worn down....If it’s a aftermarket replacement rod, they do wear down quickly... look at the lobe on the cam & make sure it is ok. need to check pan for rod metal filings.....& oil pump screen.......If i remember they should be 3-1/4” long....

 

[MikeyT]

Also, take a look at the end.... Sometimes they "mushroom" out a bit... I have never had one not come out completely! I would be very surprised, if one piece was still stuck up in there!

Mikeyt

 

[Mr.Joshua]

To be honest, it looks worn. But since so much material is missing... could it wear 1/4"?? Seems like a lot. I'll upload some pics. It measures out to just under 3" so just over 1/4" of the rod is gone.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

You could be missing 1/4 inch...A Combination problem of a poor harden fuel pump rod & spring tension on fuel pump, no zinc in oil, for premature failure....DO a good inspection...

 

[Mr.Joshua]

Here's a couple pics.





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This is a new project so I'm just learning all the ins and outs of this old motor. Its been sitting for 10 years and on the first oil change I didn't notice anything amiss (metal material). So that would make sense that it was a gradual wear.

 

[A383Wing]

yup...new one is 3.25" long...when they wear to 1/4" less.....fuel stops flowing...usually the cam is way harder than the rod...put new rod in and go

don't worry about metal in the oil, it's been wearing a long time to do this..it did not happen overnight

 

[moparcanuck]

Sounds like it's worn. I changed mine last year. Missing over 1/4 inch.

 

[GrabberOrange69]

To be honest, it looks worn. But since so much material is missing... could it wear 1/4"?? Seems like a lot. I'll upload some pics. It measures out to just under 3" so just over 1/4" of the rod is gone.

Was this an original or an aftermarket piece?

 

[Mr.Joshua]

Thanks everyone for the help! Love this site. My first reaction was "how in the h*ll did it shear off 1/4" of material!?" Make sense now. The previous owner had a jury rigged electric fuel pump on this thing and now I know why.

Thanks again! New rod is on its way.

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Was this an original or an aftermarket piece?

No idea.

"Thanks" given all the way around.

 

[Meep-Meep]

That is not broken but rather excessively worn. I had one do that a long time ago. Once you break through the hard face it goes down hill really quick.

 

[69a100]

I had to do mine a few years ago after about 120K miles. I'd say mine wore about that much, was running fine one day, went and parked for about 10-15 minutes and had a heck of a time trying to get it to run. When you get the new one, stand them next to each other to see how much was worn. Make sure you get the new one installed correctly or else it won't start. Good Luck

 

[clemul]

See post #11...Hughes pushrod is the way to go....

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...pushrod&highlight=Hughes+performance+push+rod

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?59407-Fuel-pump-pushrod-smoked

 

[Cranky]

Anyone try to harden a new push rod? Shouldn't be hard to do but was wondering if someone has done it with good results. I would also think that polishing the end might help after the hardening process....?

 

[kdtjb]

Anyone try to harden a new push rod? Shouldn't be hard to do but was wondering if someone has done it with good results. I would also think that polishing the end might help after the hardening process....?

Ya, polish the end after it gets hard.

 

[67 coronet]

Anyone try to harden a new push rod? Shouldn't be hard to do but was wondering if someone has done it with good results. I would also think that polishing the end might help after the hardening process....?

be carefull about hardening the rod.it is designed to be the wear item,you dont want to wear through the offset peice on the cam,would cause some intersting damage.

 

[Mr.Joshua]

Finally got the rod. Here's a comp pic and whoa was my old one wore down.. Thanks again for everyones help.