The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Glass bowl fuel pump

Hi members.
I’m about to change my fuel pump in my 49 Chevy truck (235 ci). I e cleaned the old gasket off completely. When putting the new gasket I’m planning on using a sealant on both sides of the gasket. Any other special instructions I need to know? I don’t want any gas leaks. Installation seems simple. 2 bolts into block plus connections of fuel line. Thanks.

You could try to rotate the crankshaft (via harmonic balancer) until the lobe on the camshaft is a low-spot (might be hard to determine by finger-feel in the hole in the block?).

I wasn’t aware that the arm of the fuel pump had to hit a certain low point on the crankshaft.

What I described is not necessary.

It might make it easier to install the fuel pump - the arm on the pump will not be pushing against a "high spot" on the cam lobe.

By doing as Tim suggested, it relieves some tension on the pump arm thus making it a bit easier to get the bolts started. As he also said it not necessary just requires a bit more fiddling.🛠

Its a good idea to glue the gasket to the pump with gasket cement or trim cement. Let it dry good. that way it can't shift on you as you are installing it. You can put a light film of RTV on the other side to be sure of no leaks.
George

The gasket most likely will not leak anyway. It came for the factory without any sealant. That is if the gasket is the right material to work with ethanol.

Which gasket are you talking about, the one between the pump and the engine block, or the one for the glass filter dome on the pump? Neither one needs any sealer at all. By introducing sealer into the mix you're more likely to create a leak, not prevent one. The pump-to-block gasket won't leak gas anyway- - - -it's there to seal oil. Use a little brush-on Permatex if it makes you feel better, but it isn't necessary as long as the sealing surfaces are clean. The cork gasket for the sight glass doesn't need any sealer, and definitely don't use some sort of rubber-base stuff like RTV! Any residue will end up in the carburetor, clogging up jets and/or causing flooding.
Jerry

Been running a glass filter fuel pump on my 49 216 for nearly 7 yrs and 23K miles. No leaks and no sealant on the glass bowl gasket. I did use alittle Aviation permatex on the pump to block gasket, mainly to hold it up while mounting the pump.

This makes sense Hotrod Lincoln. I’ll take your advice. Thanks.

My first attempt at installation of fuel pump was not successful. I’m sure there is trick to it. When putting the pump against the block the gasket is moving. I had to permatex the gasket to the block. After the gasket dries, when I try to assemble the pump and I push and wiggle the pump so the bolts line up, the arm of the pump goes upward. Is this correct?

Update.After a lot of struggling I managed to get it bolted on. Mission accomplished. Now I’m waiting for a new gas line pump to Carb and then I can start it. I hope there are no leaks. 🤞

Even with the camshaft lobe at its low point, there's a fair amount of spring pressure against the fuel pump lever arm. If you happen to try installing the pump with the high point of the cam lobe facing outward, there's a LOT of spring pressure to deal with. That's why some of the above comments recommend turning the engine over until the cam lobe is facing away from the hole in the block. Once you install a few dozen pumps, the procedure becomes pretty routine. At least with a stovebolt six you don't have to deal with a pushrod that slides down and blocks installing the pump, like happens on a Chevy V8 engine!
Jerry

So I completed the job. Oil pump and truck run great and no leaks! Thank for your help.