Help! I'm trying to change the fuel pump on my 77 Bobcat, 2.3L automatic. I am struggling to get at it from below; I have dismounted the alternator to get at it from above and it is still a beast. There is an enormous bracket in the way, along with the distributor cap/rotor assembly. The engine has already taken possession of my 9/16" socket, and I want it back. Anybody have any tips? I can't drive it to someone else, and I want to do the work myself. But this thing looks a lot trickier in real life than in any manual I have.
That big bracket around it is the impact shield. They are a pain, but it needs to come off to do th epump. PUT IT BACK ON after you do the pump.
Take your time, you will get there.
Bill
Bill,
Thanks for the info...I'm going outside to try it right now. It looks like just about everything in the front left of the motor is hooked to that bracket. I'll let you know what happens shortly.
Thanks again.
I'm off to work on the Bobcat,
The wonderful Bobcat that's red
Because because because
Because of the wonderful car it was... ;D ;D
Well, the bracket is off, though the power steering reservoir is still connected to the bracket. The alternator is now a free-range alternator...I'm hoping those little clip things from the wiring harness aren't difficult to replace because they took a bit of a beating. Facing the fuel pump from behind the left front fender, I have the bolt on the left largely out, to the point I can turn the last couple of threads with my fingers. The right hand bolt is another story...the distributor is in the way. I removed the cap but didn't disconnect all of the plug wires and the access was a little better, but not very much. I may need to use an extension for this bolt but that will have to come tomorrow or Saturday. Since I'm replacing the plug wires, distributor and rotor anyway taking them off hasn't been entirely a waste of time. I'm wondering if I should just knuckle down and go buy a new alternator at the same time. The belts and hoses will all be replaced also so maybe it makes sense. What do you think? Also, the bolts that held the bracket to the block look like they were sitting in oil. Did these bolts go that deep into the block or is this just a leaky mess? Thanks for the tips.
I have discovered that not one, but apparently two brackets are around the fuel pump. One is much larger and seems to also hold both the alternator and power steering reservoir. The other is smaller but wraps closely around the fuel pump. I got both brackets off, and was finally able to unbolt the pump from the block. At the same time I unhooked the lines and pulled that little beasty out of there. I cleaned the side of the block where the new pump would go, applied a little bit of silicone gasket to the gasket, and put her back on. To the best of my ability and knowledge, the arm from the pump is in the proper down position. I don't think it is physically possible to put it in with the arm in the "up" position. I don't know for certain. I reattached the fuel lines and that aspect is completed. Before I put this whole thing back together I'm putting on a new distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wires, belts and maybe a new alternator. Then I'll try to fire it up and see what happens. It may have to wait till later in the week but at least I'm making progress. Also, the 9/16" socket is still stuck down there somewhere and I can't get to it. At this point, I can't even see the thing. Where it was sitting (after it fell) it was visible. Then my wife poked it with a screwdriver. Now it's apparently in the black hole of Calcutta...any ideas about access to something below and behind the fuel pump, towards the middle of the block?