Mechanical fuel pump cover plate

[sailboatguy]

Hello, new guy with a Cal 29 in Lighthouse marina Los Angeles. I recently installed the MMI mechanical fuel pump cover. I didn't remove the push rod because I thought that's what the indent in the cover is for. Appears the push rod hammered on the cover and broke the aft bolt off. Noticed when I found the oil leak. Now I have a broken bolt and a push rod that doesn't want to come out. Questions are - confirm I should have removed push rod. Should I be able to remove the push rod now with a little more persuasion? or should I cut some of it off? Don

[hanleyclifford]

Yes, you should have removed the push rod. Do your best to get it out if you can but if not you will have to cut it off. You will also have to get the broken bolt out. Welcome.

[sailboatguy]

OK, thanks for confirming this for me. My hope is the broken bolt will come out fairly easy because it was out a week ago and is not rusted.

[hanleyclifford]

OK, thanks for confirming this for me. My hope is the broken bolt will come out fairly easy because it was out a week ago and is not rusted.

So now we know: the camshaft lobe is tougher than the block off plate and 5/16-18 bolt holding it down (but I wouldn't push it).

[ndutton]

If the pushrod is stuck it's either bent or mushroomed. I'd turn the engine over by hand to get the rod at the top of the eccentric for maximum extension and either cut it off or dress it down with a grinder (careful!). The cover plate dimple is to allow for the rod bushing. It sits a little proud.

Welcome to the forum. I was in Lighthouse for a year in 1987, first slip in front of the parking lot. I'm a Torrance neighbor as well.

[sailboatguy]

Broken bolt came out easy by drilling 1/8" hole and using an extractor. The push rod didn't want to come out. It could pull it out about 1/2". I held it with vise grips and used a sawzall blade with a handle to cut it off. It took 45 min. or so to cut off. I didn't want to use my grinder or cutoff tool in the engine area. I turned the engine over to make sure the push rod didn't extend out again. I appreciate the advice and have learned much about the A4 from lurking around this forum.