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For winter project, among many others, I'd like to add a back-up fuel pump to my Healey BT7 (positive earth) just in case or when my Lucas pump fails while driving. A Facet electronic pump or better is the one I'm considering but I'd like to hear from anyone with hints on whether installing a back-up is a good idea and if so, what is the best installation set-up.
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Fuel Pump Back-up
- Thread starter stevebt7
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Legal Bill
Jedi Knight
Offline
Because the Fawcett pump will "pull", I'd recommend installing it under the hood. Just makes it easier to get to. People then run a switch to it which you can hide out of sight.
John_Progess
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Steve,
I have that set up with the SU type first and the Facet second with a double throw single pole switch located behind the passenger seat. In fact I have the same situation in all 4 of my LBC's and it has proven to be invaluable. When one quits and the engine sputters just flip the switch and the engine doesn't even die! Have a good day!
John
I have that set up with the SU type first and the Facet second with a double throw single pole switch located behind the passenger seat. In fact I have the same situation in all 4 of my LBC's and it has proven to be invaluable. When one quits and the engine sputters just flip the switch and the engine doesn't even die! Have a good day!
John
John,
Thanks for your help. Just so I am clear, you installed the back-up pump on the same fuel line but downstream of the SU pump (on the engine side of the SU). I guess the SU normally pumps fuel through the back-up and when the SU fails the back-up pulls fuel through the SU and on to the carbs when switched on. The SPDT switch normally is closed for the SU and open for the back-up.
I'd appreciate any other comments on the noise of a Facet which has been mentioned here and other places. Should I be concerned given the exhaust sound and the rush of open air motoring with or without British weather (or not) gear in place? If the Facet is too noisy, how about another brand?
Thanks for your help. Just so I am clear, you installed the back-up pump on the same fuel line but downstream of the SU pump (on the engine side of the SU). I guess the SU normally pumps fuel through the back-up and when the SU fails the back-up pulls fuel through the SU and on to the carbs when switched on. The SPDT switch normally is closed for the SU and open for the back-up.
I'd appreciate any other comments on the noise of a Facet which has been mentioned here and other places. Should I be concerned given the exhaust sound and the rush of open air motoring with or without British weather (or not) gear in place? If the Facet is too noisy, how about another brand?
Johnny
Darth Vader
Offline
Why not just buy one of those "double SU pumps" and add a separate switch. That way you don't have to change any fuel lines?
I've carried a facet pump for years but never needed it. I do have a glass cartridge type fuel filter under the hood that I installed to facilitate installation of the facet.
I've carried a facet pump for years but never needed it. I do have a glass cartridge type fuel filter under the hood that I installed to facilitate installation of the facet.
John_Progess
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Steve,
I installed the Facet pump between the tank and SU type pump because that line was already cut so it was easy. Either pump will pump through the other. I cannot hear the Facet type pump in any car due to the external road/wind noise. I normally run the SU type pump as primary. Have a good day!
John
I installed the Facet pump between the tank and SU type pump because that line was already cut so it was easy. Either pump will pump through the other. I cannot hear the Facet type pump in any car due to the external road/wind noise. I normally run the SU type pump as primary. Have a good day!
John
bob hughes
Luke Skywalker
Offline
Cor!!!
You guys must have had veeerrrryy bad experiences with SU pumps, can't believe it though. Considering the cars are over 40 years old, something has to eventually give out and the fuel pump is constantly working so must be in the front line for replacement. Mine packed up so I replaced it with the SU electronic version - no worries since.
Bob
You guys must have had veeerrrryy bad experiences with SU pumps, can't believe it though. Considering the cars are over 40 years old, something has to eventually give out and the fuel pump is constantly working so must be in the front line for replacement. Mine packed up so I replaced it with the SU electronic version - no worries since.
Bob
Legal Bill
Jedi Knight
Offline
Johnny has the right idea. Locate it under the hood in the area of the rubber hose that runs from the steel line to the carbs. You can just disconnect the rubber line from the front carb and stick the fawcett pump in place. Later, if you want the car to look stock, you just remove the fawcett pump and push the rubber line back onto the front carb. The only issue is finding or fashioning a place under the hood to mount the pump. Something I have not done yet, myself.
Ed_K
Jedi Knight
Offline
Look what I found. The SU web site and they sell electronic conversion kits to get rid of the old points in my original fuel pump. They have kits for both negative and positive ground cars.
I will convert my original pump to " pointless " electronic and then carry around a spare. Maybe you guys knew about this web site but I just ran across it. They have everything for the carbs as well.
Ed
https://www.sucarb.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=33152
I will convert my original pump to " pointless " electronic and then carry around a spare. Maybe you guys knew about this web site but I just ran across it. They have everything for the carbs as well.
Ed
https://www.sucarb.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=33152
bob hughes
Luke Skywalker
Offline
Ed et al
I would advise getting a workshop catalogue and parts manual out of them, small bucks really but good value for the money, they are 1.5 hours away from me and I have used them for many SU spares.
Bob
I would advise getting a workshop catalogue and parts manual out of them, small bucks really but good value for the money, they are 1.5 hours away from me and I have used them for many SU spares.
Bob
Offline
Steve--
I found it easiest to cut the fuel line between the tank and the SU and install a Facet to the inside wheel arch using short pieces of rubber hose. I then put an "On-Off-On" switch low on the rear builkhead just behind the driver's seat so I can switch pumps while I am driving. Using some sort of rubber mounts will cut down on noise. Remember that the metal fuel line serves as a ground for the fuel tank sender so pull a new ground wire from it to the chassis. It's also a good time to place an in-line fuel filter ahead of the FACET so you can catch trash before it clogs the pumps.
I found it easiest to cut the fuel line between the tank and the SU and install a Facet to the inside wheel arch using short pieces of rubber hose. I then put an "On-Off-On" switch low on the rear builkhead just behind the driver's seat so I can switch pumps while I am driving. Using some sort of rubber mounts will cut down on noise. Remember that the metal fuel line serves as a ground for the fuel tank sender so pull a new ground wire from it to the chassis. It's also a good time to place an in-line fuel filter ahead of the FACET so you can catch trash before it clogs the pumps.
Thanks to everyone for your advice and insights. I'll probably be installing a Facet pump over the winter and will let you know the details once I get it done.
By the way, it's too early to stop cruising so I'll be going for an open air drive tomorrow in north NJ with the temperature hitting around 60. Happy Thanskgiving to all!
By the way, it's too early to stop cruising so I'll be going for an open air drive tomorrow in north NJ with the temperature hitting around 60. Happy Thanskgiving to all!
Keoke
Great Pumpkin
Offline
Well yeah ED, but the economics here is questionable. For example you will be paying almost 80.00 USD + shipping for the kit and you still may have to replace the diaphragm depending on the age of the pump for peace of mind. I think there is a schematic on Dubois site using simple radio shack type parts that will accomplish the same thing. We were converting them back in the late 80s using a similar circuit.---Keoke
Ed_K
Jedi Knight
Offline
Hi Keoke,
You are correct. After checking the price of the conversion kit
and a facet pump, I am no longer inclined to convert my
original pump using the SU kit....
....
The facet pump is readily available and cheap.
One facet and one SU is the way to go if a permanently installed backup pump is desired.
Ed
You are correct. After checking the price of the conversion kit
and a facet pump, I am no longer inclined to convert my
original pump using the SU kit....
....
The facet pump is readily available and cheap.
One facet and one SU is the way to go if a permanently installed backup pump is desired.
Ed
Ed_K
Jedi Knight
Offline
To those that are using a facet fuel pump as either the only pump or backup fuel pump.
Is it necessary to use the one with the check valve ?
They list two models with the same 25 GPH @ 1.5 - 4 PSI specs;
40104 ... no check valve
40254 ... with a check valve
The one without the check valve is available all over the internet. I can't find the one with the check valve anywhere except the one that our usual supplier sells is " said " to have a check valve but of course is priced $30. more than the ones without the check valve on the internet.
Which kind are you using on your Healey ?
Happy Thanksgiving,
Ed
Is it necessary to use the one with the check valve ?
They list two models with the same 25 GPH @ 1.5 - 4 PSI specs;
40104 ... no check valve
40254 ... with a check valve
The one without the check valve is available all over the internet. I can't find the one with the check valve anywhere except the one that our usual supplier sells is " said " to have a check valve but of course is priced $30. more than the ones without the check valve on the internet.
Which kind are you using on your Healey ?
Happy Thanksgiving,
Ed