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Fuel Pump...My B is Messing With Me

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After some debate, I decided to go back to an SU pump; I received a new solid state SU pump today, looking all nice and pristine. This stands in sharp contrast to what I pulled from the car; the old pump was dirty and horrid looking, to say the very least. I suspect it's probably the pump that came with the car in '77. If such is the case, that little pump has made it 32+ years and for that, a round of applause.

The trickiest parts were sliding the old pump from the trunk grommet (without damaging it) and removing this little hose from a barbed fitting on the body of the pump. I suspect that this is a vent or return line; can anyone confirm or deny this? It's a tiny little line, maybe a couple of millimeters in size; can't see too much of it.

I take it back; the trickiest part was getting that same hose to fit back on the new pump. Under a car with barely enough room for two hands, holding the pump with one hand and manipulating the hose with another. How important is that thing anyway?

I think I'll get the pump rebuilt and possibly converted to solid state, once I see how reliable solid state is compared to points. I've heard the pump run, but I haven't connected the fuel system up to it yet as I'm going to replace the rubber lines to and from the pump. I wanted to go with stainless braided hose, but found out it was out of stock from my parts guy. Ay.

Hopefully I'll get to hear the car run a bit tomorrow.
 
Josh - Yes, it is quite possible that the pump you removed is in fact the original pump in your car. It is not uncommon for a SU pump to last that long - Not bed for a 'Rube Goldberg contraption they call a fuel pump'. As for the vent tube (you guessed right as to its function), see the article, SU Fuel Pump Vents in the SU Fuel Pump Articles on my web site at: https://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/ for an explanation of how it is routed and why it is important that it is connected.

Regarding having the original pump restored and converted to solid state, I can do it for you after the first of October. Contact me at SUfuelpumps@donobi.net if yuwish to do this.
Cheers,
 
Update on the noisy facet pump.

They tend to be noisier when they are sucking air in on the inlet side! A double check of the fittings revealed this issue. It's acceptably quiet now. In fact, with the battery cover on, and the engine started I can't hear it.

Good info on the round pumps being as noisy. I agree with you on not complicating the system with a regulator if it's not necessary.

I have just about given up on FLAPS these days for any non-stock parts. In the old days, the counterman would know about generic pumps, or components that would work in non-standard circumstances. Anymore, if it isn't listed on the computer screen, you just get a dull blank stare and "I dunno". I can see myself walking into the local FLAPS and asking for a Facet pump and getting the response "What year Facet? Who makes those?".

Worse still, the NAPA nearest to the house closed a few months ago.

Mr. DuBois' web site has been very helpful and informative. Thank you for making it available.
 
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