I have removed my old fuel pump from my 68 mustang.  Now getting the new one on is causing me a problem.  I am not sure when the rocker arm is correctly positioned.  Also without tightening the 2 mounting bolts should I be able to position the new pump flush against the engine or do the bolts pull the new pump flush as they are tightened?  Any help would be greatly appreciated
JRO  

you should be able to put it up flush to the block without having to put the bolts in it.  Might be that you have the wrong pump??  

I cannot even get the old pump flush.  

It is common for the pump to be a little hard to get on depending on the position of the eccentric that drives it. Turn the crankshaft 360 degrees, remember that the cam turns ona half turn for every full crank revolution,,,, and you should be able to get the pump on a little easier. It should be a little tight and yes the bolts will pull it up. The eccentric rotates on the end of the cam and pushes down the fuel pump rod which is spring loaded and stiff. Just putting the eccentric in a different location sometimes will make it easier to install.  

Thanks for the suggestions.  Got it done.  It helped to remove the oil filter, the oil sending unit and the extension.  Then there was enough room to get the bolts started and inserted.  Without removing those items I don't believe I could have gotten the new pump on.  
Thanks again for suggestions
JRO  

That's why a good set of tools is important when working on these old cars.  With the right extension and socket, you would not have had to remove those items.  The pump arm fits under the cam and not on top, so make sure of that before you crank down on those bolts.  

Assuming the pump is right for the engine, the pump cam is probably in the down position, which means that in order for the pump to fit flush, the lever is going to have to go down.  You can put the pump in position but it will be trying to spring out of position until you get the bolts started good.  You can turn the engine by hand so you can install the pump with the lever on the backside of the cam.  This will lessen the pressure on the pump lever.  

The fuel pump bolts are one of the few "pain in the neck" parts to reach on a Ford Small Block.  I use an S&K 1/4" drive flex 9/16" socket, part number 43518, and an extension to reach these bolts.  With this tool, I do not have to remove anything to access the bolts.  Good Luck.  

On my '66 289 the only obstacle to removing the fuel pump bolts was the the power steering pump belt which was easy to remove.  I used a 3" extension on 1/2" drive ratchet.  

If you don't have a power steering pump in the way, I don't understand the problem.  
Use the correct socket, extension and elbow to get around any obstacle.  

fuel pump block plate / electric fuel pump less drag on engine easier to to replace  

Is it possible to get a new QUALITY fuel pump for my 66 289 4bbl?  The "Airtex" replacement I bought from Cal-Mustang is dimensionally correct and will fit, but its construction is so cheap and size is so much smaller that I am returning it. I checked with Carter/Federal Mogul and they don't build them anymore.  Any help out there would be appreciated.  

Got to Summit or Jegs and get a new Edelbrock fuel pump for the small block Ford. Make sure you get the "new" style pump as it was just changed the first of this year and some of the old stock remains(dont want the old style,,Ptoooewwwy). The new style has movable inlet and outlet. Holley also has the almost identical pump. Both pumps are around $100 however. Might be a little cheaper now.  

I sure will look forward to that new Edelbrock. Its photos give the impression that it could be rebuilt?  I wanted to keep everything "original" looking throughout the car but also give reliabity priority.

When I returned the Airtex pump, CalMustang told me that the pump they sent was for standard (non-high performance) 289 because they did not stock the one for my 4bbl engine.  Airtex model #6588 is for Hi perf and Airtex model #4133? is for std.  We will see what they send next.  For the price, I'm almost sure that it can't compare to the Edelbrock.