I just bought a 1974 Dart. I know the oil lamp works, it lights briefly at startup, then goes off. And I can smell fuel in the crankcase. But the oil lamp doesn't come on while driving. Do you think I should replace the fuel pump just in case?

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The oil light indicates low oil pressure only. It does not indicate "low oil level" or "fuel in oil" or "coffee's ready" or anything else. If your oil smells of gasoline, then either the fuel pump is shooting gas into the crankcase or your engine is running so rich that fuel is running down the cylinder walls and into the crankcase that way.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

is the oil level overfull on the dipstick? If it is, that's probably the fuel pump.

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BOOSH!!!

That is quite true. However, a fuel pump faulty in this manner will dilute the oil and make it smell of gasoline long before it raises the level enough to read over full.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

ahh yes that is more correct. listen to dan. he's way smarter than me

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What's that fuzzy blue thing being hurled this way?
::stick::
BOOSH!!!

Thanks all.

Dan, I read your post on replacing the fuel pump and you said if the pump "pushes off" from the block while you are removing it then the tongue is in the wrong position and you need to bump the starter. Should I re-bolt the fuel pump to the block before bumping the starter, then loosen and feel for push off again? Is there a chance that it will take a couple tries before the tongue is above and not below? Just want to make sure I don't fry a brand new fuel pump.

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The easiest way is to stick your finger into the fuel pump hole in the block, until it contacts the camshaft. Then rotate the engine (have a helper bump the starter with brief flicks of the ignition key, or use a remote starter switch) until the camshaft moves all the way inboard (away from your finger). Then bolt up the fuel pump.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I had a simmilar situation with my 71 truck. I had a holly 1920 carb dumping gas through the pcv.

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...and the cam doesn't really move AWAY from my finger per se. Sometimes there is more room above the cam and I can insert my finger completely on top of it but can't insert it past the first knuckle underneath. Sometimes there is more room below the cam and I can insert my finger competely underneath it, but not on top. If I put my finger in the middle of the hole, right next to the bolt hole, it always touches the outside of the engine at the second knuckle. Which is preferable?

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You want the cam all the way "down" (most room above it, least room below it).

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Dan, followed your instructions, made sure there was no room for my finger below the cam and plenty above, then completed the fuel pump install.

After driving the car about 30 miles, mostly highway, I took the oil cap off the valve cover and smelled the crankcase. Engine was cold. Still smells like gasoline.

How long does it take the gasoline smell to go away? Or does this mean I still have gas in my oil?

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It won’t go away and it can be bad for your engine to drive it that way. You have to change the oil.

AND filter,

Oil and filter were changed after installing new fuel pump.

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There must have been enough that couldn’t drain to allow it to still smell. Everything inside is coated with oil, and the oil pump may hold a teaspoon or two. If your engine has a lot of sludge inside, all the goo could have absorbed some of the gas.

I can’t guess how long it will take to get the smell out. Just keep an eye on it for the odd chance the new pump is leaking.

Danny