1959 fuel pump push rod

[greybeard]

My 390 is hard starting after sitting for a few days after I had the carb rebuilt.  The mechanic tells me I only have 3# fuel pressure and it should be 6 1/2#.  He indicated the length of the fuel pump rod may have something to do with that.  Can someone verify that fact and if so, what should the length be?  Are replacements available?

Thanks in advance for responding,
Don Sylvia

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Don,

It is approximately 7 1/8" long. This length rod was used from 1949 to 1962. At some point Cadillac realized that the rod was wearing the cam lob and added a nob to the of the rod so it would not wear the cam. That being said, in my opinion, very few rods have worn down.

I would check the fuel pump first it could be going bad.

the Johnny

[Dan LeBlanc]

John is right.  I've had four 390's now, tore into three, and never saw a worn fuel pump push rod.  The push rod is so big and thick that the miles needed to be put on the engine to wear it out would be tremendous.  Fuel pump is likely on the way out.

The previous owner put an electric fuel pump on my 61.  If I'd turn it off, it would hesitate and stumble uphill.  I pulled the electric fuel pump and replaced it with a new fuel pump and now it runs flawlessly.  Better than when the electric pump was installed it seems.  The car can sit for a week, one pump (slow, to the floor like the owners manual suggests) and 1/2 a turn and that car is running.

Another thing to check is sometimes the pin holding the arm on the pump has the tendency to back out and affect rod travel.  Check this also.  Sometimes it's that simple, but I'd say that with the rubber in the pump and todays gas, it's likely giving up the ghost.  When was the last time the pump was changed?

[Walter Youshock]

The rod in my '57 had to be lengthened about 2MM.  I had the same issues you are describing.  I haven't had a problem since the fix.

One thing to also look at is the thickness of the gasket between the block and the oil fill tube that the pump is bolted to.  The thicker the gasket you use, the less travel the rod will have against the pump rod...

[Jon S]

I'm confused.  If the carburetor has fuel in it the accelerator pump should shoot enough gas into the engine for a quick start.  Even if the fuel pump were disconnected, the car would start.  It sounds like there is a carburetor problem; not a fuel pump issue.  Fuel pump issue would be experienced driving the car.

[Ken Perry]

After sitting a few days my 60 does not like to start. I have to prime it with gas. The accelorator  pump works fine,just seems like the gas is no good after a few days. Cars run fine with no fuel pump,I start cars all the time by just filling the carb with gas,they run till it is gone.I believe the fine gas we are being over charged for,is crap!!!! Ken Perry