I am going to replace my fuel pump (only item not replaced and still have fuel in valley) but I am concerned about the plunger falling out of the pump and ending up in the motor, as I have read in a couple of threads on FTE. Any one have the correct way to replace the pump with out worry of this happening?

 

Unbolt the pump & loosen it so it moves freely (as possible ) while still in place . Have someone crank the motor over by hand & watch for the pump(or feel it ) start to move when the cam lobe is all the way in the vertical position

 

x2, just loosen it up, then crank the motor over, just be careful, when I pulled mine out it was stuck and would not push out, then I ended up breaking it off in the block, thank goodness for magnets and good vise grips!!

 

x2 ^^^^^^ what Rick said. Over the years then tend to want to stick to the block.

You can also unplug the wire on the starter relay (passenger fender) as shown below. Using a jumper wire from the screw type terminal touch the other side of the jumper wire to the + side of the battery, really quick .. like striking a match. The engine will turn over and you don't have to worry about it starting. Keep doing this while watching the fuel pump until it raises up.

 

On the install do the reverse. Set the pump. Crank and push the pump down. Then button it up.

 

Thanks for the info and suggestions. Pucker factor is still about a 7 but I think this will help me.

 

as long as you pull the fuel pump straight up there is enough room to see if its going to come out, they usually get a llittle stuck up in the pump itself so i highly doubt youll loose the lifter in the block like me the only way it can fall down is if you purposely put it at an angle, i was being cocky... LOL i seriously wouldnt worry about it dude.
how ever, i wouldnt crank the motor over, thats just me thoe, my second one just popped out, the original was fozen in there, i actually broke off the hole plunger Assembly. went smoother than it sounds.

 

as long as it makes it to the pan, right? LOL

 

yea I just pulled mine out and rolled the engine over till it popped up. Pulled the pump out without any issues. The tappet stays up in the pump pretty well. If you're installing it try putting some heavy grease in the pump shaft where the plunger goes and push the plunger into it and let the suction hold it.