TR3A Electric Fuel Pump Conversion

[smdichter]

After procrastinating for about 36 years, I finally decided to convert my '58 TR3A to electric fuel pump and wanted to share how I did it. To say that the conversion was a success is putting it mildly. It was like a heart transplant for the car. I mounted a Carter low pressure fuel pump (2-4 lbs psi) on the outside of the inner frame rail 3/4 the way towards the back of the left seat. Got that from Summit Racing. It has a fuel filter between the pump and the tank. THe fuel pump pumps directly through the A/C mechanical fuel pump.

Grounded the pump to the frame rail. Ran the hot lead from the fuel pump to an inertia switch (from Moss) mounted next to the brake/clutch reservoir on the firewall. The system was converted to negative ground long ago. Hot lead to the interia switch from the switched fuse on the fuse block. Hot lead to the fuse box from the fuel pump relay mounted on the firewall to the right of the voltage regulator. Got the relay from Summit. Relay grounded to where the negative battery terminal grounds to the firewall. The constant power flows from from the positive battery cable to the starter solonoid to the wire to the fuuel pump relay. It started the first time and the engine idles smoothly at 800 rpm and delivers full power at all speeds and in all gears, 1-4 and the 3 overdrive gears. Thanks to all those who have posted a variety of suggestions and solutions to a real problem. You all made this installation extremely easy. I have had the car since 1977 and it has never run this well.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks for posting this. I'm considering the same. Question: if for some reason your old mechanical fuel pump fails - for any reason - will your electric pump still push fuel through it?

Thanks.
Tom

 

[smdichter]

I went to the electric pump because my A/C mechanical pump was not working. Since it was new from Moss and still did not work properly, I am ready to consider that the cam lobe that operates the lever had worn out. So, I am running the electric pump staight through the A/C pump, though others have removed the mechanical pump and bought the cover Moss sells to cover the mount. I believe others have said that even if the mechnical pump is fully operational, ther electric pump will still work as if the mechanical pump was not present. for those people, if the electric pump were to fail, the mechanical pump would take over, For me, the only option would be to carry a second electric pump, as some do, of to have installed the double ended electric Jaguar style pump Moss sells for about $500. My whole job cost about $150 in parts and a morning's work.