Fuel pump dilemma

Silly Seville

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
798
Guys,

I am about to pull my hair out over this issue! Would someone please tell me if it is truly necessary to use a bronze tipped fuel pump rod if converting from a stock flat tappet cam, to an aftermarket roller? I have asked many sources, and I get both yes and no. I'm wondering why there appears to be no authoritative answer to this question? Here is what I'm working with. Standard (post '87) 350 shortblock with a Vortec full roller conversion. My bumpstick is GMPP #14097395. The manufacturers literature says NOTHING about using a bronze tip fuel pump rod to protect the cam lobe, however, I've read/heard about this being necessary to keep the lobe from being "chewed up" by the OEM steel pump rod. I have the original steel one, and a brand new Comp Cams 4607 as well. Which should I use? Oh, and lest I forget to ask, do I need to change the distributor gear too? It is the stock unit that came in the original (flat tappet) engine. :confused:
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: Fuel pump dilemma

I would think if your cam mfg. didn't specify otherwise you could use stock.
Might try giving them a call.
 

86 century

Ensign
Joined
Sep 8, 2009
Messages
986
Re: Fuel pump dilemma

+1 to above
Let comp make the call its there cam
If you do what they say and it goes wrong you could have some recoarse
Good Luck
 

Pete104

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
1,439
Re: Fuel pump dilemma

A year ago I replaced a flat tappet 350 mag with 383/350hp ( flat ). I used the original pump rod & dist. gear. I made sure I drove the first 2hrs to give it some break in time.
Avoid idling & keep the rpms up, you'll be OK.
 
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