Tapping sound after fuel pump install?

[Kp]

Ok, I know its probably tough for you guys to hear it from where your standing, but I am just hoping that maybe someone else had the same issue.
A couple months ago i put a remanned 454 in my sub. It has less than 1000 miles on it.
It was running great, but the fuel pump(mech) tarted leaking, so I put a new one on.
As soon as I stated it back up, it was making a tapping noise. Almost a knocking sound. I can't pinpoint the source by listening to it, but it doesnt seem to be coming from the pump.
It also doesn't always do it. It is noticable on idle, but as soon as you raise the idle, or drive it, it goes away, or becomes so quiet that the normal engine noise drowns it out.
It also seems to get louder, then softer, kinda like:
TAP TAP TAp Tap tap tap tap Tap TAp TAP TAP
I did have a hell of a time getting the fuel pump on, but I dont think I damaged the push rod? I held it up with a hacksaw blade while I positioned the pump, but I dont think I could've done any real damage to it could I?
The only way I can think to find out if its the fuel pump, is to buy an electric pump, pull out the push rod, and run it off the electric to see if it still does it. Thats an expensive test though, and I would prefer to just keep the mech pump if possible.
Where would you start? I would hate to pull off the pump again, since it was such a pain to get back on, but I will if I have to.

 

[75k10chevy]

My engine is making a very similar sound by your description. Mine also is a new remaned 350, and when I swapped it in I put a used fuel pump on. I wonder if I have the same problem? Mine is an inconsitent tapping sound, and like you say it gets louder and quiter or it might not even do it. At first I thought it was valves but its not a claking sound, its a tap/knock kinda sound. Maybe a bad fuel pump?

 

[Kp]

I had suspected valves also, but like you said, it just doesnt quite sound like valves. It sounds more like a rod knock, but I dont think it is, because the engine is new, it doesnt really come from the bottom of the engine, and its inconsistent. Also, if it was a rod knock, I think increased RPMs would make it louder, not make it go away.
Also, if it were valves, I think there would be some other indication. Its not smoking, and not low on power.
The only thing I can think of, is that when I put it in, I didnt pack the lever area with grease. The Chiltons manual didnt say to, but when I read the instructions that came with the pump(afterwards...), it said to pack some grease in there to lube it.
I guess I am taking the pump off again this weekend.
crap.

 

[dyeager535]

Don't know how much oil would come out, but you could run it with the fuel pump off if you wanted.

 

[Kp]

How long do you think it would run on just the fuel in the carb? That may be a good idea. It starts making noise right away, so i would only need a minute or so. I could pull the pump, remove the pushrod, put the pump back to cover the hole, and start it. If it makes the noise, its not the pump.
I was trying to think of a way to run the engine without the fuel pump. I considered filling a plastic bottle with gas and rigging it to the carb. But setting myself on fire seems likely.

 

[dyeager535]

It should run for a minute or more with a carb full of gas. If it makes noise immediately, you only need it to run for a few seconds.

Good idea to replace the pump with no pushrod, but I'm not sure you can get the pump off without pulling the little plate?

Is it possible to leave the fuel pump plate and pushrod in place, and just run it with no pump? It seems unlikely, but I'd hate to have the pushrod hit the plate and bend it.

 

[Kp]

only 2 bolts to get the pump off.
Then theres a plug in the block that you can remove to let the pushrod fall out.
No plate to remove at all.
Sounds like this will be my plan of attack.

 

[dyeager535]

Never really dealt with a 454 fuel pump, but sounds easier than the small block, have at it!