Fuel pump pushrod fell into block

[7DCUDA383A]

Rookie mistake here , had heavy grease on pushrod and went to install and just messed up and it fell , I tried to get it with a magnet tool but heard it fall lower I think , could it be in the oil pan or stuck on crankshaft , I was planning on replacing the oil pan anyways , I guess I wont know until I take the oil pan off , anybody do stupid **** like me .

 

[Surfcuda]

Rookie mistake here , had heavy grease on pushrod and went to install and just messed up and it fell , I tried to get it with a magnet tool but heard it fall lower I think , could it be in the oil pan or stuck on crankshaft , I was planning on replacing the oil pan anyways , I guess I wont know until I take the oil pan off , anybody do stupid **** like me .

Absolutely, #%@$ happens. Had my timing belt cover off while replacing the chain. While cleaning the surface area I dropped a razor blade that of course had to fall into the small oil pan opening. Tried all the tricks to get it out to no avail. Had to drop the oil pan to get the razor blade out. On a good note I discovered a nasty layer of gunk at the bottom of the pan to include the razor blade. Pain in the ass but after cleaning it up and reinstalling the pan I had peace of mind knowing it was done right. 🏝

 

[7DCUDA383A]

Absolutely, #%@$ happens. Had my timing belt cover off while replacing the chain. While cleaning the surface area I dropped a razor blade that of course had to fall into the small oil pan opening. Tried all the tricks to get it out to no avail. Had to drop the oil pan to get the razor blade out. On a good note I discovered a nasty layer of gunk at the bottom of the pan to include the razor blade. Pain in the ass but after cleaning it up and reinstalling the pan I had peace of mind knowing it was done right. 🏝

Do you know where the pushrod ends up when it falls , its hard to tell since I am not a mechanic but good with my hands .

 

[Surfcuda]

Do you know where the pushrod ends up when it falls , its hard to tell since I am not a mechanic but good with my hands .

May want to bore scope and see where it went prior to pulling oil pan. In my situation I knew exactly where the razor blade was located. That would be my 2 cents, keep at it you will figure it out. If that doesn’t work pull the oil pan you should be able to find it. 🏝

 

[Daves69]

Not sure this will work.
To try to verify location, you could wrap a GOOD magnet with a rag and slide it around the bottom outside of the pan bucket. Listen for the PR try to follow.

 

[cuda joe]

the fuel pump push rod ? i didn;t think they could fall to the oil pan they just slide down you can push them up it;s hard because there are smooth and the oil is slippery usually there is a plug below the fuel pump you can take out and push it back up so you can install fuel pump.. i can look at mine tomorrow to be sure

 

[Surfcuda]

May want to bore scope and see where it went prior to pulling oil pan. In my situation I knew exactly where the razor blade was located. That would be my 2 cents, keep at it you will figure it out. If that doesn’t work pull the oil pan you should be able to find it. 🏝

Do you know where the pushrod ends up when it falls , its hard to tell since I am not a mechanic but good with my hands .

the fuel pump push rod ? i didn;t think they could fall to the oil pan they just slide down you can push them up it;s hard because there are smooth and the oil is slippery usually there is a plug below the fuel pump you can take out and push it back up so you can install fuel pump.. i can look at mine tomorrow to be sure

Sometimes it’s hard to convey with words what you’re dealing with. A few photos of the part and the area it dropped into will probably solicit a specific answer to your question. The knowledge base available on this site is great, someone will have the answer to your problem🏝

 

[cuda joe]

just looked at my 383 cuda it has a plug there even my chevy 350 has a plug under the fuel pump if you take that out the pin should slid out into your hands to install push pin all the way up i would use a ratchet extension then push in fuel pump before the rod has a chance to come down again

 

[7DCUDA383A]

just looked at my 383 cuda it has a plug there even my chevy 350 has a plug under the fuel pump if you take that out the pin should slid out into your hands to install push pin all the way up i would use a ratchet extension then push in fuel pump before the rod has a chance to come down again

I already did all that , since I never did this before I tried to put the rod back in the big hole , had no idea I was supposed to use the plug hole , thats just me not doimg enough studying , it fell down into the crank or oil pan I think , not sure .

 

[7DCUDA383A]

May want to bore scope and see where it went prior to pulling oil pan. In my situation I knew exactly where the razor blade was located. That would be my 2 cents, keep at it you will figure it out. If that doesn’t work pull the oil pan you should be able to find it. 🏝

the fuel pump push rod ? i didn;t think they could fall to the oil pan they just slide down you can push them up it;s hard because there are smooth and the oil is slippery usually there is a plug below the fuel pump you can take out and push it back up so you can install fuel pump.. i can look at mine tomorrow to be sure

 

[GiantRobo]

Absolutely, #%@$ happens. Had my timing belt cover off while replacing the chain. While cleaning the surface area I dropped a razor blade that of course had to fall into the small oil pan opening. Tried all the tricks to get it out to no avail. Had to drop the oil pan to get the razor blade out. On a good note I discovered a nasty layer of gunk at the bottom of the pan to include the razor blade. Pain in the ass but after cleaning it up and reinstalling the pan I had peace of mind knowing it was done right. 🏝

Yeah you always have to get whatever you dropped! My father-in-law dropped a washer in the valley area of the 351 Cleveland in his 32 Furd. Thought it went through to the pan... Nope.

He found it stuck into one of the timing chain links! That would've hurt...

 

[cuda joe]

i have done some ut oh;s too so it;s in the oil pan or under timing cover you got to take off the oil pan before the timing cover so i would start with the oil pan unless you can fish it up with a magnet the ones with a flexable head on a long skinny rod

 

[7DCUDA383A]

i have done some ut oh;s too so it;s in the oil pan or under timing cover you got to take off the oil pan before the timing cover so i would start with the oil pan unless you can fish it up with a magnet the ones with a flexable head on a long skinny rod

I have tried with a flex and extender mag , I just dont know where it can go , I did not want to jack it up on stands to change the pan out , I wanted to drive it up on ramps but not knowing where it is exactly is is scary to start the engine .

 

[cuda joe]

smart not to start it you could jack it up and put it on those ramps

 

[Challenger RTA]

up on ramps

I have pulled cars on to the ramps before. It is a must that you have skilled 2nd driver. A spotter would be good also. I can say I'm hoping the best for you as I'm thinking others are too. Sometimes you just have to tear into it. Good Luck.

 

[7DCUDA383A]

I have pulled cars on to the ramps before. It is a must that you have skilled 2nd driver. A spotter would be good also. I can say I'm hoping the best for you as I'm thinking others are too. Sometimes you just have to tear into it. Good Luck.

I'm just worried about reaching the bolts under the k-member , I'm not really fat but have big hands .

 

[Challenger RTA]

the bolts under the k-member

Unbolt the engine mounts and jack it up or lift it. It will go up until it touches the tunnel.

 

[7DCUDA383A]

Unbolt the engine mounts and jack it up or lift it.

That is good to know .

 

[MMoparDan]

Not sure this will work.
To try to verify location, you could wrap a GOOD magnet with a rag and slide it around the bottom outside of the pan bucket. Listen for the PR try to follow.

View attachment 134433

That could work

 

[Mopar Nut]

Not sure this will work.
To try to verify location, you could wrap a GOOD magnet with a rag and slide it around the bottom outside of the pan bucket. Listen for the PR try to follow.

View attachment 134433

This is exactly what I was thinking of trying first if it happened on mine using a rare earth magnet. You can’t start it without the fuel pump pushrod anyway unless you use an electric fuel pump.