FINALLY installing vortec 350. Mechanical fuel pump?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

CorvairGeek

CorvairGeek

Full Access Member
Joined
May 7, 2012
Posts
548
Reaction score
909
Location
Boise
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C20 Scottsdale
Engine Size
292 L6, T400
On pressurizing a mechanical pump, even if it works, you run the risk of the pump diaphragm rupturing. Then it is fuel in the crankcase. This happens at times with mechanical pumps alone.
I'd be afraid to try it with the crap parts we have right now, and the fuel and rubber issues.
 
MikeB

MikeB

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Posts
1,748
Reaction score
936
Location
North Texas
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1969
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
The pushrod will be stopped by the cam.

And if there's no fuel pump lobe, then buy a block-off plate. Don't even think about running the two pumps in series.
 
Southcoast85

Southcoast85

Member
Joined
May 10, 2015
Posts
42
Reaction score
11
Location
Sinton, TX
First Name
Gary
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
GMC c10
Engine Size
305
maybe slide a wooden dowel in the hole and turn the engine over, see if you feel a lobe.
 
H

h3adbang3r14

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2016
Posts
16
Reaction score
2
Location
Ohio
First Name
markus
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
sbc 400 from 78 k30
bucket said:
If you do in fact have the hole for the pushrod, just put it into place and rotate the engine over. Or if the intake is off, take a peak in the lifter valley, maybe it can be seen. I don't remember if my vortec motors have a pump lobe.
Click to expand...
I recently rebuilt a 98 5.7l vortec for my 98 no eccentric bhad the pad for mechanical pump but not cbolt holes or pushrod holes
 
Jrgunn5150

Jrgunn5150

Questionable methods
Joined
Jan 11, 2016
Posts
2,739
Reaction score
1,412
Location
Ionia Mi
First Name
J.R.
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
6.slow
It's less fittings to no try to use the mech pump.

Also, I'll second what Bucket has said, just put the rod in there and see if it moves up and down, that's free lol.
 
guitarfreak235

guitarfreak235

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Posts
643
Reaction score
38
Location
Spartanburg S.C.
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
86 86
Truck Model
k10 c20
Engine Size
350 350
Its in the truck just doing the finishing bits.

Stock vortec calls for .065 spark plug gap, but im used to running hei at .045. Which should i run?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,087
Reaction score
23,881
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I'd run the stock .045 since it's the stock ignition system.

The Vortec motors really run .065? I really don't remember that.
 
guitarfreak235

guitarfreak235

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Posts
643
Reaction score
38
Location
Spartanburg S.C.
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
86 86
Truck Model
k10 c20
Engine Size
350 350
Whoops its .060. I was thinking .045 for hei but i have read platinum or iridium plugs shouldnt have the gap changed? Could the hei system handle .060 without damage?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
4WDKC

4WDKC

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2016
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
1,090
Location
Southern Florida
First Name
Kacy
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
350
guitarfreak235 said:
Whoops its .060. I was thinking .045 for hei but i have read platinum or iridium plugs shouldnt have the gap changed? Could the hei system handle .060 without damage?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Correct they should be re gapped, if you use the .060 gap plugs with the old coils it can produce a miss at idle due to the older coils lack of power. On tbi systems they say to upgrade to the vortec coil but not sure what to do with older HEIs.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,087
Reaction score
23,881
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Just run a hotter aftermarket coil.
 
guitarfreak235

guitarfreak235

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Posts
643
Reaction score
38
Location
Spartanburg S.C.
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
86 86
Truck Model
k10 c20
Engine Size
350 350
Well ive got the engine and new tranny in the truck, its about ready to start minus the distributor but theres one problem.


When priming the oil pump with a drill, the bit fell into the engine... will i be able to reach it if i drain the oil and remove the pan?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
guitarfreak235

guitarfreak235

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Posts
643
Reaction score
38
Location
Spartanburg S.C.
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
86 86
Truck Model
k10 c20
Engine Size
350 350
bucket said:
Just run a hotter aftermarket coil.
Click to expand...
Ive got an accel super coil on top of my dizzy

I went with .050 on the gap to start with, what yall think?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,087
Reaction score
23,881
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
guitarfreak235 said:
Well ive got the engine and new tranny in the truck, its about ready to start minus the distributor but theres one problem.


When priming the oil pump with a drill, the bit fell into the engine... will i be able to reach it if i drain the oil and remove the pan?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Before doing that, I'd go fishing around with a magnet. One on a long flexible aluminum stick, the type with a collar around the magnet so it doesn't stick to everything you don't want it to.
 
guitarfreak235

guitarfreak235

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Posts
643
Reaction score
38
Location
Spartanburg S.C.
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
86 86
Truck Model
k10 c20
Engine Size
350 350
bucket said:
Before doing that, I'd go fishing around with a magnet. One on a long flexible aluminum stick, the type with a collar around the magnet so it doesn't stick to everything you don't want it to.
Click to expand...
I tried but it was too far down in there... i dropped the oil pan yesterday and it came out!

Put the dizzy in and electric fuel pump last night and she cranked up first try! Woohoo!

Now just gotta put the transfer case back on and fill the tranny

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Powerhouse Ranch
460 BBC Mechanical Fuel Pump
Replies
6
Views
828
bucket
bucket
iamtherealJayy
Fuel pump pushrod won’t slide into block
3 4 5
Replies
63
Views
4K
iamtherealJayy
iamtherealJayy
T
87 Mechanical Issues Need Help!
Replies
0
Views
427
TruckCo
T
B
Need a inline fuel pump for Carbed 350, what brand/ part?
3 4 5
Replies
65
Views
4K
squaredeal91
squaredeal91
T
Dual Tank Switch Causing HP Fuel Pump to Shutoff?
Replies
3
Views
993
Ricko1966
R

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,065
Posts
908,290
Members
33,542
Latest member
willyg
Top