'79 fuel pump travel

[vett79]

I figured my 24 year old fuel pump should probably be relaced as a precaution so that's my project for this week-end. The new replacement is a Carter and it looks identical to the original but I was surprised at how little up and down travel the lever has. I guess about 1/4" to 3/8". I've not ever replaced one so is this all the travel it's supposed to have? I guess I'll know for sure when I get the old one off but was trying to think ahead if it's not right.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnZ]

Yup, that's correct - if the eccentric on the cam that drives it had any more lobe lift than 3/8", it wouldn't fit through the front cam bearing.

 

[Stallion]

Can somebody point me to where exactly this fuel pump is located? I'm assuming next to our carbs, but I'm not sure. I'll go search for some pics to familiarize myself with the hardware, but any hints/clues as to where it is exactly?

And is this a good thing to just quickly replace? Provided it's not expensive and too hard (which it doesn't sound to be, although I might be deceived ), would this be recommended? How would changing my 25 year old fuel pump do? Maybe more fuel efficient? Or maybe I should take the if-it-ain't-broken-don't-fix-it approach.

 

[yakatak76]

i took my fuel pump off a little over a month ago, and basically had to dis-assemble the car to do it. it is easier if you remove the lower radiator hose, but on my car to do this you have to move the fan shroud. also, you will need a long 7/16 wrench, and if i had to do it all over again, i would go to sears and get their new ratcheting box end wrenchs as it is a quarter turn at a time on both the top bolts. it is also helpful to take the a/c belt off. in my case, i had to remove the forward bolt on the pump from the topside of the car, and the rear from the bottom side of the car. also, when it comes time to put it back on, start with the rear bolt as you will have to rotate the pump slightly forward in order to get your hand in there to start the bolt and then go up above to do the top bolt. it would be my suggestion that if the fuel pump is working fine right now, i would leave it alone. the reason i had to take mine off, is because the gaskets were leaking oil and causing a huge mess under the car. best of luck and hope this helps....