Fuel Pump Push Rod Bushing

[Joe KCMO]

After rebuilding everything internal in my engine and installing the fuel pump pushrod, I think that it has too much play(sloppy). Will this have significant effect on oil pressure?

Is it possible to replace the fuel pump push rod bushing without taking the camshaft and all the valves again?

Still enjoying the build, but getting older but not a lot smarter. Should have replaced everything!!

[Russ/40]

Most people will tell you it cannot be done in the car. They are being kind in trying to discourage you. I was not discouraged. I did it. It was not fun. It can be done though.
Here is how mine came out:


You need a very good quality tap, as the bushing is extremely hard. I put grease in the bushing to catch metal chips. You will need a tap extension. If I recall I used a 1/2" 20 thread tap. I took the hood off and put all my weight into the tap to get it to bite the bushing. Here is the puller arrangement I used



Now all that being said, the bushing is supposed to be sloppy. A half inch slop at the top of the rod as you rock it in the bushing is pretty normal. Think hard before you attempt the change. I'm stubborn, and would not take no far an answer, and, I , like you thought about it too late.

[Joe KCMO]

Russ,

I do not recognize the tap at the end of the threaded rod. It appears to be a socket head fine thread bolt in the second picture. In the first picture what is that on the black bolt appearing tap?

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

Most people will tell you it cannot be done in the car. They are being kind in trying to discourage you. I was not discouraged. I did it. It was not fun. It can be done though.
Here is how mine came out:


You need a very good quality tap, as the bushing is extremely hard. I put grease in the bushing to catch metal chips. You will need a tap extension. If I recall I used a 1/2" 20 thread tap. I took the hood off and put all my weight into the tap to get it to bite the bushing. Here is the puller arrangement I used



Now all that being said, the bushing is supposed to be sloppy. A half inch slop at the top of the rod as you rock it in the bushing is pretty normal. Think hard before you attempt the change. I'm stubborn, and would not take no far an answer, and, I , like you thought about it too late.

That looks like a bushing from a 8BA an later engine. Not the same as pre 48 ones which are pretty thin walled. They are all pretty sloppy,dont worry about it. ken ct.

[Joe KCMO]

Thankyou Ken,

You made my evening!!!

[Binx]

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I'll quote Ron Bishop's Book: "This is not critical, but wear of .020 inch or more will allow oil to escape from the main oil passage, making it very difficult to build up and/or maintain proper oil pressure."

Lonnie

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by Binx

I'll quote Ron Bishop's Book: "This is not critical, but wear of .020 inch or more will allow oil to escape from the main oil passage, making it very difficult to build up and/or maintain proper oil pressure."

Lonnie

Can't believe everything you read. The pushrod can be removed without effecting oil pressure.

[Joe KCMO]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

Can't believe everything you read. The pushrod can be removed without effecting oil pressure.

flatjack,

Are you saying that with a goodly amount of play in that bushing, I can still have good oil pressure 30# +.

[flatjack9]

Your oil pressure will not be dependant on the fit of that bushing. Only way you can lose pressure is if there was a hole worn in the bushing. And I have never seen an engine where that bushing was worn out.

[Jack E/NJ]

ken ct>>>They are all pretty sloppy,dont worry about it.>>>

x2!

Jack E/NJ

[Andy]

The rear cam bearing is not pressure lubed. It just gets thrown oil out of the top of the oil pump and gears. There is no oil pressure to loose. Leave the bushing alone.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

The 48 and older engine has a very thin wall bushing, It won't except a tap to make threds in it. The 8BA engine has a thicker bushing. I just built an older engine that someone just built and didn't have any oil pressure. They tryed to remove the bushing and broke off the top and bottom 1/2in. of the bushing and they must of ran a reamer down the hole and installed a new bushing. The middle piece of the old bushing was plugging the main oil line and that is why it didn't have any oil, preassure. I had the engine completly diassembled before I found the trouble. I made a driver on the lathe and drove the new bushing down into the cam brg. area. I really didn't even hurt the new bushing but I replaced it with a new one. I had quite a job removing the broken part of the old bushing. With the bushing in there there is no oil pressure in that hole. The only way it would loose oil pressure is if the bushing was worn through. And I have never seen one worn through. Don't worry about it if it's sloppy. Walt

[Russ/40]

You never did tell us what engine you have. But, as I said above think long and hard before attempting the task. My experience was on an 8BA in my '49. I have never attempted an earlier bushing. I believe what others say that the earlier bushing cannot be pulled as they are too thin. Heed their advice and run it the way it is. As long as your not eating up rods it won't hurt anything. My '49 was wearing the rods badly on the sides of the rod.
I think it is truly rare to need to replace the bushing. I have a very early block that doesn't even have a bushing and the wear in the casting is negligible.

[JWL]

What is a questioner to learn from this? Be selective.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

You never did tell us what engine you have. But, as I said above think long and hard before attempting the task. My experience was on an 8BA in my '49. I have never attempted an earlier bushing. I believe what others say that the earlier bushing cannot be pulled as they are too thin. Heed their advice and run it the way it is. As long as your not eating up rods it won't hurt anything. My '49 was wearing the rods badly on the sides of the rod.
I think it is truly rare to need to replace the bushing. I have a very early block that doesn't even have a bushing and the wear in the casting is negligible.

Your right Russ, the very early 8BA that came out in the 48 pickups didn't have any pump rod bushing. Walt

[Ol' Ron]

Somebody deserves an ATTA BOY!! here. However you don't loose oil pressure by removing the fuel pump push rod. Bit you could make a mess.

[Russ/40]

Originally Posted by JWL

What is a questioner to learn from this? Be selective.

[Joe KCMO]

Originally Posted by JWL

What is a questioner to learn from this? Be selective.

I was the original questioner and I believe that I learned from this thread. Anyone who searches this question in the future will also benefit.

[JWL]

Well, let's take an objective look--- there were 9 posts from "helpers" prior to my commenting about being "selective".

3 are wrong or of questioable relevance. Not a good average.

It is good that the actual helpful information provided comfort.

[Karl Wolf]

As an adendum to this thread, I note that the bushing can be pushed in, and removed... If you have the cam out... I do this so that I can clean out the oil gallery with a brush... Then put the same one back in...
I also have saved the bushings from blocks that I have scrapped. The only new one I've ever bought was made of aluminum, and worse than the old one...
Karl