Fuel Pump reliabilty ?

[Sundowner]

Now that I've gotten through the water pump saga, about the only thing on this car that I haven't "attended to" since I've owned it, is the fuel pump.
Are the SPRINT's fuel pumps troublesome or reliable?
I bought a kit with the view to rebuilding it but then the old saying "if it aint broke, dont fix it" came to mind.
So, knowing I have a re-build kit and knowing that the pump is presently operating OK, what would you suggest. Leave it alone and carry the overhaul kit around in the boot, or rebuild the pump now?
Please consider that after Easter, I'll be driving it on a 1,600+ kms trip into Victoria. (Mexico, to we New South Welshmen)
Thanks & Cheers,
Rob

[mahony]

Personally I found the standard mechanical pump a pain in the backside with different arm lengths and some with spacers and some not, I switched to a electric pump some twenty two years back after mine failed ( Facet red top and a filter king regulator and no problems ), as for long term reliability someone else who has been running a standard pump will have to comment

[SprintMWU773V]

I have no issues with a standard mechanical pump generally. However if you don't use a car very much it doesn't prime the system like an electric pump so sometimes you have to crank quite a bit to fill the float chambers.

Don't see the issue with arms and spacers. You either have a long arm and a spacer or a short arm and no spacer, you can use either. Things become more complex if you start using electric pumps.

[mahony]

I changed 22yrs ago so most motor factors would just supply a pump and that was it , I think a electric pump is a good upgrade as is electronic ignition, lots of people on here have upgraded to a electric pump , a live feed and a earth and a couple of fixing bolts is hardly complex

[Mad Mart]

I think Mark maybe thinking about automatic cut-off switches as well.

[mahony]

Maybe you would need a cut out for high pressure fuel injection not sure you need it on carbs

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33052&hilit=electric+fuel+pumps

[SprintMWU773V]

I'd still fit a cut off switch high pressure or not just for safety. If you're going to the effort to fit a leccy pump you may as well do it properly. If you end up roof down in a ditch, trapped with a fuel pump whirring away you'll be glad you fitted one.

[mahony]

I'd still fit a cut off switch high pressure or not just for safety. If you're going to the effort to fit a leccy pump you may as well do it properly. If you end up roof down in a ditch, trapped with a fuel pump whirring away you'll be glad you fitted one.

Good point

[GTS290N]

As Mark said, the only issue with the mechanical pump is cranking after a lay-off of more than a few days, or priming the system after work. If priming, a shot of engine oil into the pump inlet will get it sucking again.

[Sundowner]

"Thanks" to everyone who answered.
I have no intention of changing the car over to an electric pump at this stage. I'll leave the existing original pump alone and take the kit with me when I travel.

A little off topic......I have 2 cars here that don't have fuel pumps of any kind. Matter of fact they don't have oil pumps or water pumps either. 1915 & 1921 Ford T's.

Cheers,
Rob

[sprint95m]

Are the mechanical pumps ethanol proof?




Ian.

[SprintMWU773V]

I was thinking about leaving a car unused and the tendency to then be difficult to prime, was wondering whether you could fit a non-return valve in the pipeline somewhere to prevent flowback? I think such a fuel proof item does exist.

[dollyman]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8MM-Fuel-Pum ... SwrBdapsAt

Has anyone used one of these on a Dolly??

Tony.

[Richard the old one]

Many thanks to GTS290N for the tip on how to prime the mechanical petrol pump as it was something that I did not know about.