TR2/3/3A tr3 fuel pump spacer

[emmett1010]

Hello all:
My TR3 fuel pump is leaking oil, so I decided to buy a new one, and keep my old rebuilt one for a spare.

It's an aftermarket one from TRF. The instructions say to use my old spacer plate, or the warrenty is void.
I don't have an spacer plate on my pump. Moss doesn't show one.
I haven't pulled my pump to see if the pump arms are the same.
Would the lack of a spacer plate, cause my old pump to leak oil?

Do I indeed need a spacer plate?
If so, who would have one?

It does have the brass screen filter, not the dissolvable nylon one, and keepers on the ends of the pivot pin.
Thanks, Emmett

 

[Don Elliott]

Call them for clarification about the spacer plate. I don't have one, never had one on the fuel pump for my 1958 TR3A. In fact I've never ever heard about one.

No! A spacer plate or lack of one will not cause oil to leak from a fuel pump. It can only leak if the gasket is not sealing properly. But I heard that the fuel pump on early TR2s did not have a rubber o-ring type seal and this caused gas to get into the oil pan and dilute the oil.

 

[TR3driver]

I'd get on the horn to TRF. Should be no spacer plate required for either original or aftermarket pumps on a TR3. You may have the wrong pump. Possibly it just fits multiple applications and doesn't need a spacer when installed on a TR3; but with language like that, I wouldn't take the chance. Send it back.

FWIW, I have some trim rings laying on my desk that I really should get shipped back to TRF. They apparently got a whole batch of them that were simply made wrong and I was the first one to try to actually put them on a car.

 

[6TTR3A]

Emmett,
If all else fails, talk to this guy. All he does is fuel pumps &
he specializes AC pumps. He will answer your questions whether
he makes a sale or not.

Antique Auto Parts Cellar
PO Box 3
South Weymouth, MA. 02190
781-335-1579; 781- 335-8860
Fax (24hrs) 781-335-1925
The Cellar @ then-now.com

Frank

 

[MDCanaday]

The AC pump is so easy to rebuild,I am very surprised that more BCN's dont do it.I have seen lots of trouble from cheap AM parts.....in fact I just replaced one the other day,with one I re-built...brand new/repop from vic's mossyroadster I think (I did NOT buy it the owner had).It pumped just a little gas and not often.
MD(mad dog)

 

[emmett1010]

I agree;
The pump I'm replacing was rebuilt by me. It's not an original a/c, but it's at least 25 years old. It pumps fine, but I have an oil leak, either from the gasket, or the pivot, which really got me thinking about the spacer question.

In order to make a long trip, I thought I'd be better off with a NEW pump, and bring my rebuilt one for a spare. I know it pumps, if my aftermarket one fails.
Emmett

 

[TR3driver]

Given the quality of new parts these days; I'd have more faith in a rebuilt vintage pump! Especially against a 'new' one that comes with instructions saying you "must" use a non-existent spacer!

For a spare to carry on the road, I prefer one of the little electric Facet pumps. Much easier to put into service on the side of the road (since you don't have to unbolt the original pump); plus smaller and less fragile for easy storage. Cheaper too.