Mechanical Fuel Pump Installation

How To Install a Mechanical Fuel Pump on a Small-Block Chevy
In this video, I also cover a lot of projects that need to be taken care of before I can fire up the 81 Corvette so I can start the much-needed and it seems long overdue coolant system flush.
Frankly, I was surprised and somewhat disappointed to see so much corrosion crud in the system, and that worries me enough to do a couple of long (I am talking an hour-plus) flushes of the system.
I even looked for the two block drain plugs, but it was too much of a job to remove them because they are hidden behind the spark plug wire shields.
I also installed the fuel pump and the correct fuel hoses. After seeing the kinked main fuel line, I was surprised the car ran at all.
By the way, this procedure applies to many GM vehicles, including GMC and Chevy trucks, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac, so owners of other vehicles made by General Motors may benefit from the information in this video, especially when it relates to the fuel pump.
As you will also see, I managed to fix or address a few other smaller items such as the ECM coolant sensor. The original one was a disaster and I am confident the new one will work properly even though it's a newer style.
Anyway, I don't want to spoil all the fun and the table of contents below will show you every chapter along with the appropriate time-stamps in case you need to watch a specific segment.
I hope you find this video helpful.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
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CONTENTS
0:05 Fuel Pump: Gasoline 90° Fitting
0:57 Fuel Pump: Installing the Brass Fitting
2:18 Fuel Pump: Use the Right Gaskets
3:55 Fuel Pump: Use the Correct Hoses
7:59 Fuel Pump: Tools of the Trade
8:53 Fuel Pump: Pump-to-Carb Fuel Line Tip
9:28 Fuel Pump: Gasket Adhesive
10:16 Fuel Pump: Getting the Fuel Hose Ready
10:33 Fuel Pump: How All Parts Work Together
16:16 Fuel Pump: Installing the Pump
21:07 The Cooling System
21:12 Draining the Coolant
21:37 Removing Waterneck & Upper Rad Hose
22:43 Removing the Thermostat
22:56 Removing Gasket Remnants
23:38 Heater Supply Hose
24:53 Heater Supply Fitting
25:55 A Few New Replacement Parts
27:53 Replacing the Radiator Petcock
28:39 New Thermostat and Waterneck
30:28 Prepping the Radiator for a Flush
31:28 New ECM Coolant Sensor
36:31 ECM Coolant Sensor Wiring
37:30 Adding Cooling System Cleaner
39:35 Video and Project Summary
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
I am a self-taught DIYer. If videos appear to give technical how-to advice, that is not my intention.
Working on a vehicle can be dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a mechanic.
#c3corvette #fuelpump #generalmotors

[@konrad1853]

As always a great video about our favorite generation of Corvettes. One tip that I'll share is that I used to use those 5 mil nitrile gloves as well. But they always tore and I would use two or three pairs per garage session. Then I tried the 7 mil versions and found them to be much better. They hold together even when scraped against sharp corners and I use less gloves in the long run. Give them a try.

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻 And yes, I have a box of 7 mil gloves and use them every once in a while. I am trying to get rid of these thinner gloves since I bought I think five boxes of them a while ago. So much for saving money. Lol 😆 Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@kokoshadowstryder9020]

Just did all of this and replaced the water pump in my '81 a couple of weeks ago. The previous owner of mine used vacuum hoses for the fuel pump and had the engine mount bolt facing the wrong way, so the engine mount bolt had pressed/vibrated a hole into the upper rim of the fuel pump causing a massive leak once the bolt had finally dug through the rim. None of this really surprised me since the valve covers did not have bolts long enough to secure them to the heads, and not one single bolt was torqued on the engine and transmission, everything was finger tight. I am surprised the car even ran, and even more surprised that the former owner had not burned the car to the ground.

[@76vette]

Yeah, it’s amazing that some of these cars survive at all. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@henkvanstraten5276]

Super nice car. I own a 1980 c3 white/blue inported from USA to the Netherlands. Thanks for your educating videos😀 My brother has a 1971 converible blue and a 1982 crossfire , black on black. Hope to see our familie soon in Texas and Colorado. Good luck. Grts from Rotterdam,Holland

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@davidmcmenamin9701]

Great video. Love seeing how this Vette is progressing.

[@76vette]

Thank you so much for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@davem6685]

Good to know the same frustration that occurs to me is also encountered by others! Don’t you love it when bolts drop to the floor when you almost get the threads started? Another great video. Thanks.

[@76vette]

Makes you wish for a 2-post lift. Lol 😆. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great video! Great tips and information!👍

[@76vette]

Thank you, Mitch! 😊👍🏻

[@leewinn3268]

Thank You for the video👍

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@zeddie9625]

Well done! I'm glad you didn't break the heater supply fitting. Did you eventually free it up? That was a mess!!

[@76vette]

Thank you! Nope. The little “bastage” had welded itself to the intake manifold and I’ve learned to walk away from those types of situations. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@zeddie9625]

@@76vette We do get wiser as time rolls on :-)

[@ThePerfectSeason1972]

@@76vette- I bet the threads got all corroded with rust and minerals, maybe PB Blaster or automatic transmission fluid mixed with acetone may have penetrated the corrosion? I couldn’t believable how much torque you were placing on it and no budging it lose.

[@georgecromerjr2860]

Very good video! What did you use the copper anti seize on?

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻 I needed copper anti seize for the exhaust manifold smog air tubes plugs.

[@dinoa9608]

Didn’t catch it. What brand fuel pump did you use? I installed a Carter replacement pump on my ‘72 and ran into problems with too much fuel pressure. Mine was at 9.5 psi. Caused nozzle drip on my QJet. Had to use a regulator. Should be 5-7 range. Apparently most replacement pumps nowadays are not spec’d right. Hopefully you will not have same problem. Thanks for video.

[@76vette]

Don’t know the brand. Took it off my 76 s while ago thinking it was bad. So I saved it and it works just fine on the 81. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@dinoa9608]

You are lucky then. I threw my old pump out when I refreshed the engine even though it was fine thinking while I’m at at it out all new parts. Wish I didn’t. Now everyone is looking for old NOS pumps.

[@76vette]

@@dinoa9608 I will have to check with the guys at Corvette Generation (salvage yard) and pick up one or two OEM fuel pumps to stash away. Maybe as couple of OEM alternators, too. 🤷🏻‍♂️