Chevrolet Repair: Fuel Pump installation, needle nose pliers, pocket rulers

Question
I took the fuel pump off and now there is a push rod sticking out and it is in the way, it will not move, what can I do?  It is an 86 siverado with a 305.  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Heather,
That thing is a pain in the you know what, but you can handle it.
With some needle nose pliers, or mechanical fingers, grab it and push it up into the block, and hold it up there with one of those little pocket rulers, or stick a rubber band around the rod, and have someone pull tension on it while you stick the fuel pump in.

Some engines have a bolt hole in the front of the pump area, where you remove the bolt, and there is a longer bolt that can be screwed in, and will screw against that rod, holding it up. Don't tighten too tight, and don't forget to remove it.

You may also need to rotate the crankshaft over slowly, to make sure the cam isn't on the down stroke for that rod. it should push up in easily, unless that is the case.

Van