71 small block fuel pump questions please

[lostintime53]

It was the first beautiful day this month and I decide to drive the 71 SB coupe to work. I backed it out of the garage and let it warm up for a bit. I noticed "nickel coin" size wet spots in a neat little row from the garage to the front of the car. One touch and it smelled like gasoline. I opened the hood while the car was running to check for the source of the leak. It appears that the gas was coming from the top of the fuel pump housing near where the hoses attach. The “S hoses” (Doc Rebuild) were replaced last year, are like new, and the clamps are secure. Gas seemed to be coming form a little hole in the housing itself. After sitting five months, my car is deadlined for a fuel pump leak.

Questions:

What is the probable source of the fuel leak?

What is the trick to replace the pump without the pump rod sliding out of the block?

Does a seal go between the pump and the block (I have had an oil leak around the pump housing for the last year)? We used black RTV for a seal (bad idea) last time we removed the pump.

Can engine oil blow around the fuel pump housing if the seal is poor?


Thanks in advance,

Rick in Tennessee

 

[curtis]

Questions:

What is the probable source of the fuel leak?

What is the trick to replace the pump without the pump rod sliding out of the block?

Does a seal go between the pump and the block (I have had an oil leak around the pump housing for the last year)? We used black RTV for a seal (bad idea) last time we removed the pump.

Can engine oil blow around the fuel pump housing if the seal is poor?


Thanks in advance,

Rick in Tennessee

The leak is probably a ruptured diaphram in the pump (it is shot)
The pump rod will not fall completely out of the block, however to hold it up, some people stick some heavy grease on it and push it back up.Or You can use a longer bolt inthe front of the block to hold it (finger tight to the pump rod is good enough), just don't forget to put the short bolt back in before you crank the engine and use a little sealer on the threads.
Last time I did it , I used the paper gasket with just a little smear of red rtv (the fuel and oil resistant type) on both sides.
Engine can leak around the housing to block seal surfaces, but it is not a pressurized area so it shouldn't amount to more than a seeping or weeping.

 

[bobs77vet]

you want to fix this as soon as possible....it is possible for that ruptured diaphram to pump gas into your crankcase through the area where the pushrod hits the fuel pump lever....