Electric fuel pump

[tban52]

Hello All,
My OEM fuel pump on my TR4A has Failed. Rather than rebuild it, I would like to install a solid state electric pump. My question is; can I leave the OEM pump in place and install the electric pump downstream without problems? I just like the original look of the mechanical pump in place.
Thanks, Terry

 

[TR3driver]

I would not recommend it. The most common way for the stock pump to fail is for the diaphragm to split or leak, which means it will be leaking fuel. If an internal seal is missing or bad, the fuel will go into the crankcase, which is a Bad Thing.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Randall is correct.
Big, Bad problem if you dump 10 gallons of gasoline into the crankcase (and I doremember an early 60's F-85 convertible with aluminium V-8 that did that and BLEW the engine up at the top of Steven's Pass).

However,. in the old-car (US) community, we figured out how to do it.
Remove the lever and springs, and diaphram.
Replace the pivot pin and seal adequately.
Obtain some neoprene sheeting from hardware store (thin is okay).
Find a piece of sheet metal at least as big around as the pump body.

Cut the sheet round, mount against the unthreaded side, drill clearance holes in sheet metal plate.
Line both sides with thin neoprene, punch out holes, re-assemble.

Done it on out flatmotors for years.

 

[Andrew Mace]

My OEM fuel pump on my TR4A has Failed. Rather than rebuild it, I would like to install a solid state electric pump. My question is; can I leave the OEM pump in place and install the electric pump downstream without problems? I just like the original look of the mechanical pump in place.

No offense, but why not rebuild it and use it if you want to leave it where it is? It did get the car around for some 43 years, and odds are it needs little more than a new diaphragm and related bits!

 

[RJS]

I've never had fuel pump issues before but, would have to agree with Andy, especially if you like the original look. Like I said, I have no experience replacing stock mechanical with an electric fuel pump but, I do understand the carbs on these cars are very sensitive to (too much) fuel pressure. I'd just be careful that an electric pump doesn't push to much pressure.

Bob

 

[TR3driver]

I prefer the stock pump myself. The original diaphragms did not hold up with 'reformulated' fuel, but the current replacements (at least the ones I got from TRF) seem to work just fine.

And while I do carry an electric pump as a spare on long trips, I've never needed it for the TR. Can't say the same for the stock electric pump on my Stag.