So I took the rack plug out of the pump, so I could put the new one in- for more rack travel. I am unable to get it out, no room between the gear case and the pump to get it out. So I decided to put it back in, and leave it for another time. Well its very difficult to even get it the old plug back in, after an hour or two of trying that, no luck either.

So I had an idea that if I removed the pump bolts -even at least partially, I could slide the pump back enough to maybe get the new plug in, or at worst, put the old one back in. I was hoping I could gain .250 inches of room, without loosing my pump gear mesh.

The million dollar question is how to get the bottom inside nut back on the stud, once its off. I have been able to just get the nut cracked loose, and figured I will get it off eventually, but there is no way I can reach the stud to put the nut back on, once I get it off. Is there something I am missing? Maybe a special wrench or something? If the top stud was out, it would be much easier, I thougth about double nutting that top stud and pulling it out, just for more room with the wrench?

 

I usually put my hand underneath the pump and start it from there. I'm usually using the tip of two fingers to do it, and its a bit of a contortionist trick, but thats been my best bet. On my 24v, I leave it off. Mainly because I can not get a wrench on it at all.

 

So I have everything loose, got the pump to slide back about a 1/16th or so. Still need more room. Was pushing on the pump pretty good, I'm pretty sure that the pump gear is hitting inside the gear case, which is preventing the pump from coming back any further. Does anybody have any idea how much clearance is behind the pump gear to the gear case? I was hoping not to pull the gear. I have to leave in a week, and have a wedding next weekend, which is going to cut into my wrenching time. I'd like to get the truck done and out of the garage so I can keep my work truck warm and snow free.

Although, If I do pull the gear, I can finally advance my timing, which should give me more fun, with the modified rack plug

 

1/16 is about it......... It is pretty close in there.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I did the KDP a couple years ago, and didn't think there was much room. I'm looking at the timing tool online right now. Get it here in a few days, and just pull the gear I guess.

 

Sorry for the highjack...Quadstar...If you get the new rack plug in...Please post back, if you see a preformance gain with the aftermarket plug.

A friend of my gave me a rack plug for my 175 pump but haven't installed it yet...

 

Yeah for sure will let you know if it helps or not. I have the timing tool kit on the way, and I went and got the fan clutch wrench today too. Hoping to have it back together by the weekend.

I put the the 3K spring kit in a few years ago, it helped a lot, but the truck seemed to just fall on its face after 2500 RPM. Sure seemed like it was running out of fuel. Hopefully the new rack plug cures that.

 

Thats strange...I put my 3k in a few years back and was able to get aleast 2,800 before defueling..

Thank you for the update on the rake plug..

 

Finally got it all back together and timed on sunday. It was snowy and slippery at home, so my test drive was not much of real a real test. I did really notice a difference in how fast the truck responds to skinny pedal input. I'm guessing the timing was stock before I tweaked to 16.5*. Also hard to tell if the plug made a difference since my tack was not working, and I couldn't put the power to the ground with the super slick roads

 

Good to hear you have it all put together again...Bumping that timing will really wake the truck up..