Howard's Composite fuel pump push rod?

[chewychevy67]

I have a 12-408-8 comp cam in my 327 engine. I have emailed comp 3 separate times and have had 3 different answers from 3 different people as to what kind of fuel push rod and distributor gear to use. Doesn't leave me feeling confident at all. Can't afford to do this again and warranty is just a word because I'm sure in their eyes I did it all wrong anyway. Anyone out there use composite pieces here? I may use a melonized gear on the distributor but looking at Howard's composite fuel rod. Any reviews on this piece after a few miles? All the reviews I can find online are just after install but most seem positive. https://www.howardscams.com/ultra-li...rds-cams-94475

[Rickysnickers]

I'm sorry I have no info to help, but I do have a question. Is there any reason why you want/need a compost rod rather than the standard type? Is this going to be a race engine or similar where every little weight reduction is key? If not, you might want to consider staying with the tried and true. Just a thought is all.

[b454rat]

Of all the motors I’ve built, some stock, some not, never heard of one, nor the need to change one out. News to me....

[The Rocknrod]

I'd use that if I were going to check it after every few runs down the 1/4 mile. But on the street? ...

[sweetk30]

i know in the past i have seen roller tip pushrod for the fuel pump . sorry thats all i can help with .

[chewychevy67]

The reason I ask is the rep guys told me I need to use a bronze tip rod or a roller tip rod and the stock one won't work becauseIt will chew up my cam. Not sure but I get the feeling they are upselling me as they all had a different part I should use. It's a stock build. Will rev no higher than 5000 rpm. I believe the cam is cast iron but neither rep confirmed this for me.

[chewychevy67]

I should add this is a retro fit roller cam.

[DieselSJ]

I would just convert to an electric pump.

[chewychevy67]

I would rather keep it mechanical if I can.

[MySons68C20]

Did the cam come with specific instructions not to use a stock fuel pump pushrod?

[truckster]

I built a 5.7 Vortec (roller cam) with a mechanical fuel pump and used a bronze tip pushrod.

[YoungPup1977]

Not to many engine building in this here forum, or anyone who runs a roller camshaft with a mechanical fuel pump
most of the cam manufacturer's recommend to use a softer metal on the distributor gear and the mechanical pushrod for the mechanical fuel pump when running a roller camshaft. easy stuff to find on the internet to purchase, just google it.

[toolboxchev]

Those roller tipped ones I believe are for the Vortec style motor. They may work on a Gen 1. Good idea for sure. I would shy away from the composite, new tech mixing it up with old, I dunno bout that.

I am almost 100 percent sure you do not need the melonized gear, that is a vortec item.

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

Did the cam come with specific instructions not to use a stock fuel pump pushrod?

No but the comp cam reps told me not to and that company made the cam.

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by truckster

I built a 5.7 Vortec (roller cam) with a mechanical fuel pump and used a bronze tip pushrod.

Did you periodically take it out to check its wear? I have heard that they can mushroom and then you need to disassemble the engine to remove it. Maby that's more on high pressure performance pumps though.

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Those roller tipped ones I believe are for the Vortec style motor. They may work on a Gen 1. Good idea for sure. I would shy away from the composite, new tech mixing it up with old, I dunno bout that.

I am almost 100 percent sure you do not need the melonized gear, that is a vortec item.

My engine builder told me I should be fine with both stock gear and pushrod for the pump but there is no warranty if they cause the engine to fail.

[chewychevy67]

Has anyone used these retrofit roller cams from comp with a stock fuel pump and used the stock pump rod and distributor gear?

[Captainfab]

I have not, but I would go with what the cam manufacturer recommends. Since the Comp rep told you to not use a stock fuel pump pushrod, I would not use a stock one. I would not use a standard distributor gear either unless Comp says it is okay. GM specifies to use the melonized distributor gear with all GM factory roller cams. That distributor gear will wear out before the cam gear wears.

[chewychevy67]

I did message the one guy back and he said a composite rod would be fine with this cam as well.

[Captainfab]

Then I would go with the composite fuel pump pushrod. But I would suggest asking Comp Cams about the distributor gear before just dropping your distributor in and chewing up a $300.00 cam.

[chewychevy67]

The consensus I got was a melonized gear. I have heard there are different qualities of them available. I will locate a gm 10456413. I would think if gm used them in factory cars they must be good quality.