Tricks to replace fuel pump???

[KRB64]

Spent most of last Sunday laying across the engine dangling my upper torso upside down to replace the fuel pump on the Dancer. This is not something I'd enjoy doing again and definately not something I could imagine doing bobbing up & down in the water (it was on the lift).

Is there a better way? Other than having a mechanic do it? At one point I thought about gobbing grease into the cavity to hold the rod up while I slid the new pump in. Finally got it by holding it up with a WD-40 can nozzle...

At least it fired up and ran afterwards...

 

[sdarc]

I'm going to guess that your engine is a small block Chevy. If so, Then down low on the front of the engine near where the fuel pump is you will see a bolt. Remove this and temporarily replace with a longer bolt. This will go into the cavity and hold the fuel push rod in the up position. Also rotate the engine so that the push rod is on the backside of the lobe. Install fuel pump, replace bolt with shorter original bolt.

 

[Rick K]

sdarc, you forgot the most important aspect of the fuel pump change: Whilst upside down in bilge, take Leg A, twist 1.5 times and insert behind head. Take left arm (A1), move underneath and behind Leg B. While in a turning motion, to the right, move head 31.2 degrees to port. You'll now have the room you need to replace the pump! This is of course AFTER you've been in and out of the bilge 4 times because you forgot to take the right tools with you...:smt043

 

[sdarc]

I thought that was a given...:grin:

 

[KRB64]

Yea, an MCM260. Wished I had known about hat bolt. So does it tighten down on that rod while its up or does it slip under it?

I did finally think to turn the engine so the rod would go up further though.

Thanks,

 

[sdarc]

Tightens against the rod. just tension enough to hold it in place.

 

[Rick K]

Off hand, do they make any kind of electric pump as a replacement?

 

[lime4x4]

Holley makes a marine electric pump for carbed engines. I run one

 

[JVM225]

Ain't no easy way! Doing most things down in the bilge requires bending like a pretzel, hanging upside down, and lots of patience.
The bright side is that if you have a single small block in the boat you have the best possible scenerio.
I can tell you that working in a bilge with twins is no walk in the park.
Toughest job I ever had to do was replace the full size starter on the starboard motor shortly before I replaced both motors. I still feel the aches and pains from that adventure. When I had new ones installed I made sure that brand new "peanut" starters were on both of them.

 

[Rick K]

Holley makes a marine electric pump for carbed engines. I run one

I see that pump on the summit site. Nice! I would definitely consider that over having to kill myself to get under that engine. I am TIRED of hurting!!!