Fuel Pump push rod too long????

[phelps1076]

Hey guys I thought I would run this past you. I have 1992 SBC (350) that was of course originally a TB engine and I am converting it to "natural aspiration" as they would say. (Im putting a double pumper on it). and dropping it into a Nova. Anyway I went to mount a mechanical fuel pump on it and the Push rod is too long. Or so it seems.

Now before you go any further, here is what I have done. The fuel pump is a 80gph from summit (verified its for a SBC)
Push rod from Arp (verified it is for a SBC, and a BBC takes the same one.
And I have Verified the the pushrod is indeed engaging the cam.
And yes Im useing a fuel pump mounting plate (its about 1/8" thick)
It seems like the mounting plate needs to be thicker, because with the fuel pump depressed all the way, I still need about an 1/8 to make the pump seat.

Is there any issues with a TB engine block that anybody know about.
Because originally the fuel pump opening is blocked off.

Any thoughts

Thanks

[bobss396]

Installing Chevy fuel pumps, not one of my favorite tasks. Is the rod all the way up in the engine, at the lowest spot on the cam? You also have to over come the spring pressure of the pump itself, which is pretty stiff for a new pump. I always end up using the pump bolts to pull it in against the pump spring pressure, make sure you tighten them up evenly.

Bob

[phelps1076]

Thanks Bob
I was a little lear on forcing it, I dont think its on the low end of the cam lobe so I will do that first and then tighten up the bolts.
Thanks
Mark

[mayoman]

late model blocks (after86) had longer pump rods that were the same as big blocks. before 86 sbc had a rod almost 3-16" shorter.
maybee aftermarket guys took this into account and converted or not?