Old Electric Fuel Pump Question

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Guys,

I am wondering if anyone has experience with old AC electric Fuel pumps, specifically model # EP42.

This is the pump that I removed from my TR3A. The car was not running when I purchased it. The question is this. Should I attempt to refurb/clean/test this pump or simply upgrade to a newer pump?

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[Andrew Mace]

They're pretty good "period" pumps from what little I know. I say see if you can get it to work well...and maybe carry a cheap spare Facet or the like for insurance! :wink:

 

[TR3driver]

Looks exactly like the one that was on my motorhome generator, except mine was dirtier

Worked great, until the MTBE in our gasoline turned the diaphragm to silly putty.

 

[DrEntropy]

Yeah, I'd be for finding a replacement. We ain't gonna see "real" petrol any time soon. The electronic SUs are a good "period" replacement if you want to keep a semi-original rig. Otherwise a Facet or Carter low pressure unit work well.

 

[DanB]

Or make sure you carry a BFH with you to smack it when it quits working. :wink:

 

[angelfj1]

FWIW, Triumph never fitted electric fuel pumps to any of the sidescreen cars. In fact I believe the only sports cars to have electric fuel pumps are the PI, TR5's and 6's, and this is because you need a high pressure at the injectors.

Your car would have had an AC mechanical fuel pump. When properly restored, they are very reliable and they add the convenience of priming lever and sediment bowl.

 

[Andrew Mace]

However, electric fuel pumps often were "recommended fitment" on competition cars, for whatever reason. My Spitfire 4, a virtually textbook example of the original Spitfire Comp. Prep. Manual, still has its Bendix electric fuel pump in the boot as per the Manual's recommendation!

 

[angelfj1]

Indeed! <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Belts and Braces </span></span> for racing!

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Frank,

My car, as I had mentioned in another thread, had been set up for Vintage Racing and that is why it has the electric pump fitted.

The original location for the mechanical pump has a blanking plate installed over it.

Having said that, I do have a good working mechanical pump off my parts car if I wanted to go that way.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[swift6]

FWIW, Triumph never fitted electric fuel pumps to any of the sidescreen cars. In fact I believe the only sports cars to have electric fuel pumps are the PI, TR5's and 6's, and this is because you need a high pressure at the injectors.

The FI TR7s and both FI and Carbed TR8s had electric fuel pumps. But you are probably excluding those on purpose. :wink:

 

[TR3driver]

The FI TR7s and both FI and Carbed TR8s had electric fuel pumps. But you are probably excluding those on purpose. :wink:

Likewise the MGA and Stag had electric fuel pumps.

 

[DrEntropy]

Frank,

My car, as I had mentioned in another thread, had been set up for Vintage Racing and that is why it has the electric pump fitted.

The original location for the mechanical pump has a blanking plate installed over it.

Having said that, I do have a good working mechanical pump off my parts car if I wanted to go that way.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

Wouldn't be the worst thing ya could do, y'know.
Those mechanical pumps are like tea pots... they just WORK. :smirk:

 

[swift6]

The FI TR7s and both FI and Carbed TR8s had electric fuel pumps. But you are probably excluding those on purpose. :wink:

Likewise the MGA and Stag had electric fuel pumps.

Sounded like frank was talking TR's.

 

[angelfj1]

The FI TR7s and both FI and Carbed TR8s had electric fuel pumps. But you are probably excluding those on purpose. :wink:

Likewise the MGA and Stag had electric fuel pumps.

Sounded like frank was talking TR's.

Well, yes. In fact I was thinking of TR's. But I didn't exclude 7's and 8's on purpose. I wasn't aware that they used PI on those cars.

 

[trfourtune]

see attached.
https://www.racetep.com/webfuelspark.html
I think this is what you want.
R

 

[swift6]

The FI TR7s and both FI and Carbed TR8s had electric fuel pumps. But you are probably excluding those on purpose. :wink:

Likewise the MGA and Stag had electric fuel pumps.

Sounded like frank was talking TR's.

Well, yes. In fact I was thinking of TR's. But I didn't exclude 7's and 8's on purpose. I wasn't aware that they used PI on those cars.

No worries then Frank if you were excluding them, I was only ribbing you about it. There were both Fuel Injected and Carburetted versions of both the TR7 and TR8. It had to do with both trying to further modernize and compete with their contemporaries as well as meet California's increasing emissions standards. More the latter than the former.