Spitfire Fuel Pump

[afoster]

I had recently rebuilt an engine for a triumph spitfire and, when the fuel pump was installed it did not work. My question is is the spacer for the fuel pump needed. I had put a new cam shaft in maybe the lobe on the cam is smaller not activating the pump? I had bought a new pump and it seems to be the same size (lever) and it doesn't work either.

Thanks

 

[bobhustead]

The Moss catalogue shows a spacer in 1978 to 1980. It also shows 3 fuel pumps. '62-'72, '73-'78, and '78-80. Gotta match your engine year.
Bob

 

[TomMull]

I have no expertise but It seems to me that there would be no harm in trying it with the spacer. You could also bench test the pumps.
Tom

 

[bobhustead]

Tom,
Like you, I lack direct experience, but the shape of the actuator arms on the three versions of the pump could be quite different. This could lead to jamming the arm against the cam lobe and damaging something if you put the wrong one in there.
Bob

 

[sp53]

Is it possible to get the fuel pump lever on the wrong side of the cam lobe? Get a flashlight and a mirror and take a look at the lobe position. if you need to turn the engine over by hand to get a better look at the lobe i would do that. I am not saying that is the problem or if it is even possible to get the pump in wrong, but I usually feel better when I can feel the pump hit the lobe and actuate the arm on the pump.

steve

 

[TomMull]

Tom,
Like you, I lack direct experience, but the shape of the actuator arms on the three versions of the pump could be quite different. This could lead to jamming the arm against the cam lobe and damaging something if you put the wrong one in there.
Bob

I agree for sure but my logic was that if you tried it without the spacer it wouldn't hurt try try it with one. That said, I'd go with the correct pump setup for your car. Rimmer Bros have a good breakdown of the choices. > Triumph Spitfire Fuel Pump and Fittings | Rimmer Bros <
Also note that some of the replacement fuel pumps have a less than stellar reputation.
Bench test: If you can get a tube onto the inlet port on the pump into a container of fuel and work the lever by hand, it should pump.
Tom