Just had to change the Fuel pump on the Tiki

As far as I can tell, the original Fuel pump just gave out on our 78 Impala after 35 years, and 102,000 miles, not bad considering its exposure to the new gasoline. So now for my Venting, seeing I am used to Pontiac V-8's and the fact that our car is originally from Cheyenne Wyoming car, so it has the High Altitude Emistion system on it, What a PITA that Fuel pump change was!!!!!! I am not Used to the SBC fuel pump push rod system, and no amount of grease would this particular push rod in the retracted position!!!!! I ended up having to remove the smog pump, and that required removing the altinator, fan shroud, and the related belts, the good news is that I took the time to replace the fan clutch and the front sway bar links and bushings while I had the car in the air. And I found what was causing what sounded like an exhaust leak, the smog pump outlet seal is bad, and causing the tick I have been hearing only with the hood open. Need to make a replacement to fix that issue.

I sure do miss the simple only remove 2 or 3 fuel lines and 2 bolts of a Pontiac V-8 Fuel pump, but she is back running and cost less than $25.00 to fix.

My friend Laird's first car was a '78 Impala with a 305 in it. We yanked that and dropped a 350 in it, and tossed all the emissions stuff in the garbage. Hahaha! With the smog pump out of the way it's not a bad job.

Oh and to hold the pump pushrod in the motor we spread axle grease on it, same stuff we used on the front wheel bearings. Holds the rod in really well.

I like mechanical pumps....HATE that they put electrics inside the fuel tank. Mechanical pumps gnerally are so much easier and are always so much cheaper!

Good job on getting yours done!

-Mike