Daughter's 69 Charger RT stalled at an intersection couple days back. Couple gearheads stopped and helped, said the fuel output from pump was there but looked marginal to them (disconnected at carb). Got it towed home.

Recent rebuild on 440, stockish. Pulled mechanical pump, then pushrod (top in pics). Compared to NOS, lost approx 1/4" of metal. So we drained oil and changed oil filter. Not sure where builder got it, perhaps one of those infamous MP pushrods.


How would you guys recommend we proceed? I told her not to drive it for the time being. Do you think it would be OK to drive about 20mi (from her house to my lift)...another oil change and maybe pull the pan?

I have a similar problem.
I installed a Milodon pushrod and it is wearing out fast.
Don't know why or who makes a better one.
As far as driving it 20 miles.
I would, wouldn't worry about the pulling the pan either.

I didn't get many miles on one i bought from Hughes before it wore down.
Ended up cleaning up an old one i had in a bolt bucket and putting in after fighting the mushroomed one out. Lots of daily driven miles since and no trouble.

Guess I'm fortunate it didn't mushroom. I got a couple NOS ones from Terry McCann (mccannix).

I just put on in my new 451 that looked like that. After I put The pump on I thought how I dont remember seeing them with one end machined more than the other. I removed it and found another That was 1/4" longer.

I bought several, 5+, new BB fuel pump pushrods from my local Dodge/Chrysler dealer, they where horrible on the tips and finish
I decided to not use them, if you buy one from a Mopar dealer or source look very closely at it first before using it
Luckily I've kept all the old used ones I've remove from every BB motor I've used a electric fuel pump on
Most of the motors I build now don't use a manual fuel pump anymore

How does one visually ID the good from bad?

Look closely at both tips, if they're course and pitted don't buy or use it They should be smooth and shiny like a mirror or chrome

I had the same issue with a Comp Cam brand and I got stranded.
Dug out my oem push rod I saved and have been running it since.
I did have an issue with the fuel pump being real stiff which probably helped to wear down the push rod so I replaced it at the same time.
I have a spare push rod in the glove box just in case.