I have some questions regarding the
fuel pump eccentric.
I finally tore into the motor last night and discovered that the
one piece eccentric that I have was very loose, spinning on the center bolt (which was finger tight). Avoided disaster, to say the least, and that explains why the motor quit (i.e. no fuel pressure...imagine that!).
I'm a Chevy guy by training, so please bear with me as I work through this R&R. The dowel pin that comes off the camshaft is
exactly flush with the cam gear (for the timing chain). No signs of stress or duress...it may have simply worked its way forward (backward?) into the camshaft. As I see things, that little dowel needs to protrude through the cam gear by about 1/8" (certainly no more or it will interfere with the bolt washer, and any less might not provide enough "grip" to keep the eccentric from re-spinning in place).
First question. Do I have to pull out and reset that dowel pin properly (or replace it entirely)?
Second question. What's the best trick for doing that?
Third question. I've heard of "two piece eccentrics" and I've also heard of eccentrics that have a
tang on the back that engages somehow with the cam gear, and it's this
tang that keeps the eccentric in one spot. I've also read that it's the breaking of this tang that can result in the condition that I currently have. Do I have options here rather than resorting to #1 and #2 above?
Thanks a bunch for your combined expertise. I've been pretty comfortable with the tear down up to this point, but I'm now venturing into unchartered waters.
Oh, and one other thing. The guy who invented the Ford SB layout whereby when you pull the timing cover and get junk/fluid in the
oil pan no matter what? He deserves a swift kick in the crotch. I had to pull the pan while I was at it (and I just re-did that sucker and had a nice, leak free seal).
-Dean