No pushrod for fuel pump on 1989 Mercruiser 3.0

[Junkgamefisher]

I've searched the threads and google a hundred times, but can't find anything. I removed the fuel pump on my 89 mercruiser 3.0 because I couldn't feel any suction when turning the key and using a spare portable tank. When I hold the fuel pump in my hands and pump the lever, it sucks from the intake and blows where it should. Ordered a new one anyway. Holding the new fuel pump in my hand, I reach into the hole in the block, but can't feel a pushrod. Anywhere. Just the cam. The gasket seemed a bit thick, so I installed the new pump without it. It bent the new pump arm. Before I ruin another pump, please help me understand why I only have a cam shaft, no pushrod, and my pump arm isn't being pressed. Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... On In-line motors, there's no need for a push rod, the arm rides directly on a cam lobe,....

The thick gasket is a spacer, 'n obviously, it's Necessary,....

 

[alldodge]

Agree, but what pump are you installing? 86234A4 old or 8M0073435 new design

Reason for asking is the old pump used 27-34213 and new used 27-8M0108647

Also old pump faced up and new faces down

 

[Junkgamefisher]

I had the "new design" on before, and that's what a bought. Bowl/filter facing down.
Bondo- I can't get the pump to pull fuel when it's attached to the motor. I notice the cam is designed to push the lever down every rotation, but it seems like it isn't. What could I possibly be doing wrong?

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

you probably have the inlet and outlet plumbed backwards

 

[Junkgamefisher]

I don't think so. I am pulling gas out of the spare can, and pumping it to nowhere so I can see if it comes out. When I work it with my hands, I can feel it suck on the barbed end and blow through the threaded end that would typically lead to the steel line. For some reason the cam isn't knocking the lever. I'll upload pictures tonight.

 

[Scott Danforth]

make sure the lever is riding on the cam lobe

 

[alldodge]

Measure from the face of the block to the cam. Rotate the motor and see how much the distance changes.

You also said the first new pump had the arm bent. How was in bent?

 

[Junkgamefisher]

The first pump's arm bent when I installed it without the thick gasket and tried to run it. It appeared to have been hammered to hell by something, I assume the cam. I still have the old pump, which works when I move it by hand. I'll measure the distance tonight. It appears to be maybe a half inch, which I don't think is far enough to push the lever.

 

[Scott Danforth]

doesnt take much to pump fuel. the cam eccentrics are only about 1/4" movement. that is all that is needed

 

[Junkgamefisher]

Maybe my gasket is off. I bought a used pump so I reused the old one bc it looked good. It looks pretty thick though. I'm going to check correct thicknesses on google today and make one.

 

[Junkgamefisher]

I'm convinced it's the gasket, and the depth (or lack of depth) of the fuel pump arm is not allowing the cam to depress it. I found a 6579 fel-pro gasket at an auto parts store in town.