Fuel pump installation

[rhschnauss]

The rod that runs the fuel pump is giving us trouble. To install the pump you have to push the rod up somehow while installing the pump so the finger of the pump is below the rod. Hiw in the heck do you keep the rod up to install the pump?

[Mark Norris]

The rod that runs the fuel pump is giving us trouble. To install the pump you have to push the rod up somehow while installing the pump so the finger of the pump is below the rod. Hiw in the heck do you keep the rod up to install the pump?

The oscillating push rod between the eccentric (behind the camshaft sprocket) and the fuel pump laminated finger is retained in its guides by a snap ring. That what stops it falling down beyond its normal travel. Normally you simply scoop the finger under the rod when refitting the pump. It sounds like the snap ring has dislodged from its groove and the rod is sliding down too far hence the problem. See page 104 of the Continental MKii service manual (Engine Section), its available here on the Forum for download;

Fuel pump drive rod and snap ring retainer.jpg
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If its not possible to fit a new snap ring via the fuel pump mount hole (I'm not hopeful but take a look) then its a fan off, radiator out, harmonic balance and timing cover+pump off job to fit a new snap ring in place. Not as bad as it sounds but a long afternoon in the home workshop nevertheless. Take great care not to damage the gasket between the timing case and the sump. As you can see its one of those cases of "When you are up to your ass in crocodiles it can be difficult to remind yourself the original idea was to drain the lake!"

[Blacktophat]

Not sure if this will work but old guys years ago would put heavy grease on the pump rod and push it in. The grease will hold it till you get the pump mounted. Worth a try

[rhschnauss]

We were able to load up the rod with grease, which slowed its travel. We also found the groove where the snapring was supposed to be and we were able to use a small screwdriver to hold it up using the groove to slip the pump on. This took probably two hours of fiddling. We figured the rebuilder did not put the snapring back on when he rebuilt the motor. What a pain but done!