Fuel pump pushrod won’t slide into block

[iamtherealJayy]

So I bought a K5 blazer a month ago and it has not moved at all. It has an electric pump but it lost prime and stopped pulling out of the tank. I gathered all the stuff to throw a mechanical pump on and I can’t get the rod to slide in? The bolt in the front is mia, I took a 3/8” 6” extension and it slides in without issue. I put grease in the pushrod and it slides about a inch n a half then just like hits a brick wall? It was a used pushrod but I threw it in a drill and used 600 grit sand paper and cleaned it up looked like a mirror stick so I know it was clean. Block is an 088 or 880 I’m not sure but you can see those numbers by the starter so it’s not the original block(obviously since it was originally a diesel, but still not a original carb 350?) any suggestions?

 

[squaredeal91]

Try Turning engine over to move cam lobe away from rod. I'm guessing that's the problem.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

It only goes a little over an inch, I put a 3/8 drive 6” extension and it slid right in without issue. It’s just a hair and a half smaller than the rod

 

[squaredeal91]

Also check to make sure there isn't too long of a bolt going through from the front of engine near fuel pump boss stopping the rod. One of the holes in the casting does go through to the fuel pump rod. It's designed to hold rod up and in to allow easy pump install.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

Mentioned bolt in first post, it’s MIA. I’ve never experienced this so I have no idea

 

[squaredeal91]

It's a very odd situation. I pray you get it solved.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

Me aswell. Main thing keeping me from getting this unit running. The electric pump won’t pull fuel from the tank anymore

 

[rusted nuts]

See if rod stops where bolt threads into block, Could be a chip, burr, rust there.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

I put grease on the rod and it goes around 1-1/4” in, I can’t see it all from one angle, I laid under the blazer to see the bolt missing, I did from above to see the rod not going in. It’s got a 6” lift it sucks to work on honestly.
Say that is the culprit, however would I go about fixing it?

 

[squaredeal91]

Can you get something all the way through that 3/8 bolt hole in the front like a stiff wire maybe?? Just to know that there isn't a broken bolt in there or maybe with pin out run a long bolt through that hole to hopefully clean out any possible rust?

 

[iamtherealJayy]

I can’t seem to shove a piece of wire more than an inch or so into that hole

 

[iamtherealJayy]

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That ledge back in there is what’s stopping me.

 

[squaredeal91]

Oh no... looks like the old pin broke off and is stuck in there??

 

[iamtherealJayy]

It’s hollow, that lip is what’s stopping me, is there different fuel pump pushrods that are lesser diameter? I can put a 3/8” rod in there without issue

 

[iamtherealJayy]

Is this hole something that can be enlarged or do I need to find a different rod or shave this rod or is there bigger issues or