Need Help - New Engine & No Space for Mechanical Fuel Pump...

[PWagon]

Hey all, about 1 year ago, I bought & installed a new Chevrolet 350 HO engine for my '86 K5. I had to install new engine mounts (both rubber clam shell to frame and metal bracket to engine) as I removed my previous mounts from a LS swap (don't ask why). Anyhow, after I installed the new 350 engine, I noticed the space between the engine and truck frame was way too tight for me to fit a mechanical fuel pump. I do not recall this tight fit being "normal". I gave up trying to install the mechanical pump & installed a block off plate. I have been running an electric Holley fuel pump for the last year, but I hate the noise. I want to install the original style mechanical. Can I ask some of you folks with a factory 305 or 350 to look at your mechanical fuel pump area to see if you have similar spacing issue? Is it supposed to be this dang tight of a fit? Maybe I have the wrong engine mounts making it sit too low? Maybe I have car mounts instead of truck mounts? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Chickntrk]

You may want to make sure that engine has the provision for a mechanical pump. A lot of the L31 based crate engines don't have the eccentric on the cam.

Ill grab you a picture at lunch.

 

[PWagon]

This one does (verified)

 

[Blue85]

It's hard to tell from the picture. How about measuring something more concrete, like height of exhaust bolt above frame rail?

Is a more isolated mount for the electric pump an option?

 

[nvrenuf]

It could be the pic angle, etc but there appears to be plenty of room for a pump.

 

[Chickntrk]

Looks like the same amount of room I have

 

[ktmoutfront]

Horizontally it looks like the same amount of room. But the bolt holes look to be in line with the frame. Should be below the top frame rail. It might just be the picture angle.

 

[ZooMad75]

It’s the serpentine belt bracket taking up the space to clear the fuel pump. That unused opening would normally house a smog pump. I had the same exact serp drive on my 350 in my ‘75 k5 with a fuel pump. How? A little nip and tuck surgery with an angle grinder to cut a notch out of the bracket to clear the fuel pump. Problem solved.

The room is there. Or it should be with stock mounts, clamshells and brackets on the block. Just cut the bracket and you should be able to put a pump back in there.

 

[Wes Harden]

mount bucket on the engine side looks odd, might be the picture. It does look like engine sits higher than normal.