On my 1987 302 that someday will be the heart of my 49 f1 I've come across a puzzle. I want to go with mechanical fuel pump. The current timing cover has the boss where it goes. It is machined and drilled and tapped but it's a dead end. It doesn't go all the way through. Is this cover modifiable as in opening up the bottom of the cavity? Got me shaking my head.

 

I've never tried opening one up so im not sure if it would clear the mechanical fuel pump arm... I may have a shelf full of the ones you want as I usually replace them for the one you have on the motors I build. When i get off work tonight I can check and see if I do and I'd be willing to send you one if I still have them... the cover you need should be able to be found in any junkyard with some old fords, I come across them all the time

 

I've used those covers before with a mechanical pump. I just clamped her in the vise and used a hammer and a punch to knock out the cast-in block off. A little filing on the rough edges and it was ready to go. The pump bolted right on and worked great.

 

Thanks to the both of you for your reply. I think when the time comes I will follow the advice of BlueOvalRage and modify the one I have and if I screw that one up I will call on 5pntslw and see if he has another one. You guys have it covered.

 

Just know that on later SBF's with the blocked off fuel pump boss, like yours, there is no fuel pump eccentric inside. You'll have to add that to the front of the cam before putting the timing cover back on for the fuel pump to operate. Other than that one minor detail, it will work fine. ;-)

 

Thanks Merc for your comment. I had read somewhere else about the eccentric. I understand what it is but not sure where to get one. Can I get it at my local auto parts store?

 

Summit racing sells them, there are several manufactures but I think the one I got is from Comp Cams.

 

If you can't find one at your favorite neighborhood auto parts store, and you probably can, there's always used ones from your local wrecking yard or new ones from your friendly Ford dealer.

 

Do u happen to have an extra one of those fuel pump covers for the 302

 

Bolware, this thread is nine years old. Kudos to you for using the search feature. You should be able to find a timing cover (of either type) locally for $50-60. Maybe half that if you have a decent wrecking yard nearby.

Make sure you're getting the one you want (fuel pump delete, or fuel pump open) and that you have the eccentric on the cam if you're trying to use the mechanical fuel pump where there wasn't one before.

Jim