TR2/3/3A Rebuilding TR3 Fuel Pump question

[RedTR3]

I have an original TR3 fuel pump with priming lever that I am rebuilding to keep as a spare. I have the rebuild kit.

But in removing the old diaphram, I kind of mangled the oil seal when I removed the diaphram shaft. (I should have paid closer attention to what I was doing!) This seal is apparently NLA but I have heard that it is not really necessary. Is this true?

 

[martx-5]

Depends on where you got the kit from. I just re-did mine, and the kit I got from The Roadster Factory did contain the oil seal. However, I've read on this forum that guys are just putting back what ever is left of the seal and have not run into any problems. When I took my pump apart, the rubber part of the seal was basically non-exsistent, yet the car ran fine when I shut it down for the restoration.

I'm sure some others will chime in with their experiences.
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[donbmw]

I did mine but it did not have the seal and I still have the leak, removed and installed new pump with out lever.

Don

 

[TR3driver]

The seal's only purpose is to help keep fuel from running into the crankcase if the diaphragm fails. So it's not essential for ordinary operation (but IMO is a good idea).

As noted, TRF found a source & is supplying the seal in their rebuild kits. Since older kits may not be compatible with modern fuel, buying a new kit is probably a good idea anyway.

But I found an old brake seal that worked pretty good when I rebuild my original pump. Sorry, no idea where it came from.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

I agree with Randall, replacing the seal can do no harm if you have one. The diaphragm is very stout so a puncture is a very remote possibility in my opinion. I have used the TRF rebuild kit in a spare pump I have and did use the seal. The newer replacement pumps (without the priming lever) do not come with the seal.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I too rebuilt the pumps w/o the seal and w/o any problem. If you do not have a priming lever pump on the engine now you may want to put that 'spare' you're rebuilding on the car. I find the lever very useful for refilling the bowls if the car has had a long sit.