I have a small leak somewhere around the fuel pump I think. Reading posts someone posted a picture of the shipping bolt hole which goes into the fuel pump cavity. Various posts say to use the hole to lock the rod up when changing pumps and to plug it with a short bolt otherwise. Mine is not blocked so I'll do that, but I'd like to ask. Is it always through to the cavity or could it sometimes be blocked by a cast web. I measured mine and it is about one inch deep but in probing it it seems the rod hole must be drilled such that the rod is the defacto bottom of the hole. Probing with an ice pick the bottom does seem humped and smooth causing me to believe I'm feeling the fuel pump rod. It looks like it ought to be more than one inch to the rod but maybe not.
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
Just to be sure we're talking about the same bolt, see the circled bolt in the pic below (disregard the baby powder, I was chasing leaks). I've never seen a Gen 1 block where it wasn't a through hole. You would have a pretty major leak running your engine without a bolt in that hole. One inch to the rod is about right.Last edited by Michael M.; July 2, 2013, 10:27 AM. -
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
That bolt hole has been there since the first 1955 V8's used it to mount "L" shaped motor mounting brackets on passenger cars (55 thru 57). After that, it was often used to mount other brackets for additional power equipment or it was left open. The oil that runs (drips) down the fuel pump push rod is not under any pressure and seldom leaks out that bolt hole. If it does, it is usually only what they would call a "weep". I long ago bought a special bolt that has a spring in the end and is used for locking the push rod in place when removing/replacing a fuel pump. I have used it many times on Chevy V8's that never had a bolt in that hole from the factory, as well as others where I had to remove a bolt holding some power equipment - typically a power steering pump in order to use my spring bolt.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
I think the bolt hole in both pics above is the same one. The one in the Jerry Weeks photo is the one I'm talking about for sure and it is not plugged. And, my leak is small, not a gusher. Armed with information I'm going to run the car and watch the hole but, in any case, I'll plug it.Comment
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
Larry - You might want to check the Corvette AIM if you have one available. The page, UPC 6, SHEET C1 in the 1967 Corvette AIM points out the bolt or bolt hole & indicates "SHIPPING BOLT - PLUG HOLE IN CYL CASE". I trust other AIMs show this also. PeteComment
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
Peter, thanks. I looked and the 64 AIM does say to plug the hole but with no specifics on the bolt. The drawing shows a hex head and that is what I'll use.Comment
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
A few more things to add to what has been written so far: usually the factory installed bolt (If there is no bracket mounted) is less than 1" long, with no washer. For R&R of the stock fuel pump, remove the short bolt and install a longer bolt (1 1/4 to 1-1/2" long) BEFORE removing the fuel pump. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE BOLT!! finger tight plus 1/8 turn is sufficient, providing the bolt has clean threads. Forgetting to do this may add considerable time and frustration to a relatively simple job. Trying to push the oil slicked pump push rod back up in contact with the cam with your little finger/small screwdriver/needlenose pliers/cuss words will help you remember to not make that mistake again!Comment
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Re: Shipping Bolt Hole and Oil leak
Larry -
The A.I.M. illustration doesn't provide any specifics on the bolt because it wasn't installed at St. Louis - it came as part of the engine assembly from the engine plant, and was a 3/8"-16 x 1/2" bolt. Some assembly plants used that hole and swapped bolts to hold the pushrod up while installing the fuel pump, and others used a glob of grease to hold the pushrod up instead - they could use either method.Comment
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