Gasket sealant on fuel pump gasket, YEA OR NAY?

[vandelay industries]

GASKET SEALANT ON FUEL PUMP TO MOUNTING PLATE GASKET, YEA OR NAY?

AS A Side note, a)the fuel pump pushrod position on a 4.3 v-6 is different from a v-8; You can't use the long upper bolt trick to hold it in position.

b) While the v-6 and v-8 pumps appear identical, body wise, i don't think they are interchangable because i think the v-6 pumps put out a little less pressure than the eights in a lot of cases, so it's best to make sure. Also the fittings will be in a different position because the v-6 pump mounts upside down and i think higher on the block. i think they did this so it would clear the front crossmember?

 

[Babaganoosh]

I have always put grease on the pushrod then mounted the pump. I have seen silly cone on them before though.

 

[vandelay industries]

In my case, the pushrod will stay in the up position provided i don't shake the engine or accidentally touch the pushrod when i'm putting the pump in.


But i just checked and the aftermarket aluminum bowtie v-6 blocks don't even have a provision for a mechanical pump. i'm not sure if the iron ones did which haven't been available for quite some time.

More bad news:
The aluminum bowtie v-6 blocks are no longer being offered by gm as of 2015 catalog. A shame as they are only 78lbs. i think they can be bored/ "stroked" to about 320 cid. (not 100% sure, but pretty sure)

 

[ktmoutfront]

Did not need it from the factory, should not need it now. As for holding the push rod in during install, slap a bunch of petroleum jelly on it and it will stay in.

 

[vandelay industries]

Yeah, i decided not to use sealant.

 

[blazer74]

Just a little thin smear of silicone sealant never hurts. Just enough to make it stick not enough to squeeze out.