53 Flathead Fuel Pump Removal

[53 Lowrider]

[FONT=&quot]I have been reading for a while, and this is my first shot at a post. I have a vintage Weiand aluminum dual carb manifold, that I plan to install on my ’53 flathead, with a couple of 94 carbs. I’m already running an electric fuel pump, and I figured on pulling the guts on the mechanical one, while I have the old manifold off. I read in an old Flathead Jack catalog, that the hole in the block for the old fuel pump rod, should be plugged, in order to maintain oil pressure, and to prevent a bunch of oil from being blown around underneath the manifold, causing smoke out the tailpipes. The old Flathead Jack catalog advertised a plug for this purpose. No one I have spoken with, seems to know about this, or care. Has anyone heard of this, and is there such a plug available? If not, should I just tap the push rod bushing, and install a plug, or quit wondering about it, and do nothing? Thanks for your advice! [/FONT]

 

[69a]

Get a 7/16" bolt with at least 1 1/2" of unthreaded shank (3" long) and cut it off at
1 1/2" below the head. Double check that it is missing the cam lobe by turning the engine over and making sure it doesn't lift up. I'm doing this from memory, but pretty sure it is correct. Or you can just leave it out, it won't have a great effect on your oil pressure.
Don't mess with the bush, it must remain in there.

 

[19Fordy]

Here's a thorough discussion of this topic.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319574&highlight=fuel+pump+push+rod

 

[Flathead Fever]

I read somewhere that the late '49-'53 blocks do not have the oil passage that requires the fuel pump rod hole to be plugged, but I don't know that for a fact. Maybe someone knows. I hung a dummy shaft in my 59A, so it covers the hole and is cutoff to miss the camshaft lobe. That way the bushing is there is I want to go back to the stock fuel pump. I guess I could actually look at a late block. I have a '51 Merc block out there.

I found some photos of what I did. I made a plate with holes so I could still pour oil in there and the block can still breathe. Then I suspended the fuel pump rod from it by welding a couple nuts to it. Then it gets sandwiched between the fuel pump stand and the intake. The only thing I was worried about if the holes were large enough for the block to breathe properly. I think it will be okay.

 

[flatjack9]

Every late block I've seen has that oil passage.

 

[53 Lowrider]

Thanks to you all for your replies, especially for the link to the old discussions. I think that I'll wait until I remove the intake, then take action to plug the hole.