new mecahnical fuel pump not working

[Deleted member 9684]

so i started up the bugeye last week and waso going to take it for a ride when i noticed the mechanical fuel pump leaking profusely. rather than screw around, i jsut order the replacement from Moss and installed it yesterday. figured it would be an easy swap and it was until i started the engine. it ran for a minute as it emptied the SUs and now will not start.

I disconnected the output from the pump and turned the engin over and as i expected, nothing comes out. Any idea what i've done wrong?

this is a 61 BE with a 948 - no mods whatsoever and not interested in making any.

 

[nomad]

Hi Seano.....The replacement pump does not have the little lever to prime the pump unless they have changed. I have a new one around here somewhere and that is the way that one is. I'm betting that the pump has not gotten primed yet and that it will work if you can just get the air block out. How to do that has me stumped but if you had a full tank of fuel I would bet it would be easier.

Kurt.

 

[Deleted member 9684]

thanks kurt, i was thinking the same thing. wonder if I submerge it in a small jar of fuel before installing it if that would help??

 

[dklawson]

I cannot provide specific details but I know that through the years of A-series production a couple of differrent mechanical pumps were used. I know the difference involves the length of the pump lever arm. It could be that the replacement pump is a later type that needs a thinner spacer for the arm to contact the cam.

 

[Deleted member 9684]

I cannot provide specific details but I know that through the years of A-series production a couple of differrent mechanical pumps were used. I know the difference involves the length of the pump lever arm. It could be that the replacement pump is a later type that needs a thinner spacer for the arm to contact the cam.

thanks doug. the housing on teh new pump is about 1/4 thicker than the old. i negelected to compare the length of the arms when i did the swap, so that will be the first thing i look at when i pull the new pump back off.

 

[dklawson]

I may have presented you with a red herring. I went looking for information on the fuel pump arms. I know I have seen it somewhere in the distant past but what I found online today says the main change was when BL replaced the A-series with the 1500 Triumph engine which uses a very different fuel pump.

While I would certainly compare the new and old pumps (assuming you have still have the old one) I would not presume what I told you earlier was correct.

 

[nomad]

If you still have the old pump I wouldn't throw it away. Don't know if there is a kit made to repair them but they are pretty simple and if its just a failed diaphragm you could probably find some of the material and make a new one.

Kurt.

 

[David_Doan]

I went through the same scenario with my 948, found it was easier to switch to an electric full pump. Then also easy to replace if it fails.

 

[smaceng]

I second what David said....went with a Facet pump and never looked back.
Scott in CA