The 88-87 454 I picked-up has a block-off plate bolted where the mechanical fuel pump would bolt. The engine had a throttle body f.i. on it. Does this mean the cam wouldn't have had a mechanical fuel pump lobe, or were they eliminated on the later engines? TIA

Does anyone have any experience with these later engines?

Wes,
I am not sure, but it would only take 5 minutes to pull the blockoff plate and find out.

Thanks for the reply Bill. I pulled the cover and a plug (this plug would have to be removed to insert a fuel pump push rod), but was unable to see into the hole with a light.

Since the engine weight caused the stand to lean slightly forward, it put the flexplate in a bind preventing me from turning the engine over... I should probably go re-read the post about Chinese tools.

Anyways, I guess I'll pull the engine from the stand and remove the flywheel so I can spin the engine over and see if the cam will push a screw driver out of the fuel pump rod's hole on Saturday.

Wes,yes,they should have a lobe if I rememeber correctly.

Thanks Chris.