[FC] Fuel pump removal

[Dale Dewald]

Hello Ben,

I cannot think of anything that would bind the push rod to the pump 
other than the spring.  I wonder if the spring has failed (broken) or 
deformed somehow so as to jam into the bottom of the pump. If the spring 
failed part way up, the reduced diameter might protrude into and jam in 
the bottom of the pump. Then it would seem "attached" to the push rod   
I would think you could wiggle or twist the pump off of the spring and 
rod once it has been raised clear of the alternator adapter. It might 
take a bit of brute force. Maybe a failed return spring is the cause of 
all your fuel pump "failures" and you now have a collection of otherwise 
good spare fuel pumps. Up to now failure of the return spring has been a 
very uncommon occurrence, but many others have noted failures of 
otherwise trouble-free parts due to age and high cycle fatigue. 
Something to consider as our favorite vehicles approach and pass 50 
years of age.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, MI

On 7/11/2013 21:02, Ben and Lynn Stiles wrote:
> I have changed my fuel pump at least three times on the side of the
> road- twice on busy interstates- with success.
>
> I replaced the fuel filter "stones" in my carbs and the rear fuel line
> hose in order to try to get the van to stop acting like it was starved
> for fuel. These tips were advice from the group from last week.
>
> I took the van for a spin today to work in order to see if things
> helped. I made it in fine...only stayed a very short time but only got
> beyond the parking lot on the way home before she died. Vapor lock. Been
> there before. I suspected it was due to a weak fuel pump so I set about
> changing it.
>
> I cannot get it off! Like never before, when I lift the fuel pump out
> (all other hardware/fuel lines removed), I notice that the "push
> rod/pump rod" and return spring (Figure 9-35 in the shop manual) come up
> with the pump. When it should be lifting out, it bottoms out on the
> hefty motor mount metal in the center of the engine bay and no matter
> what I do I cannot get it out.
>
> I put everything back together, walked back to my office, and within two
> hours was able to start it up and drive home.
>
> Any advice on how to keep the pump rod/return spring in their place so I
> can get the pump off and a new one on? Do I need to shimmy the motor
> forward? (Strange as I never needed to consider this before).
>
> Thanks for all the advice. This is a great group!
>
> Ben
> _______________________________________________
> Corvanatics mailing list
> Corvanatics at corvair.org
> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/listinfo/corvanatics
> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/