Fuel Pump

[Derek]

The fuel system on my SV was full of flaking paint from the inside of the tanks, afrter pulling the fuel pump and cleaning it up it now is blowing petrol out of the vent hole in the lower casting. Any thoughts, it worked fine when it came off of the car, but it did sit for about 10 days with no fuel in contact with the diaphram, could this have dried it out and caused a leak ?.. Also this fuel pump has a priming lever on the bottom, this is not shown in the WSM, is this pump from a different series?

Thansk Derek

 

[SIVAllan]

WSM 124 page C5 shows the pump and hand primer. SV pumps in addition use a flex hose from pump to carbs.

If your fuel tanks are sending forward debris -- time to clean them as it will only get worse and will eventually foul the fuel system.

Allan

 

[Derek]

THe tanks have been cleaned thats why the pump was out of the car for 10 days. I must have a different manual ? I'll look again tonight
Derek

 

[Series3Scott]

The parts book lists one part number for Series I through IV, then a new part number for Series V. I know the early Series cars had the primer handle - maybe Series V did not?

 

[Alpine Addict]

The series 5 has a different fitting on the carburettor side.

 

[mikephillips]

I'd say buy a pump rebuild kit, comes with a new diaphram. It make have cracked or failed around the metal center section after drying out then being reused.

 

[Bill Tubbs]

Along these same lines, is there any particular advantage or disadvantate to replacing an electric fuel pump with an original mechanical pump? This is assuming that the eccentric off the cam is still okay.

I like the consistency of an electric pump, but since there's no cutoff switch I need to either install one or reinstall a mechanical pump I happen to have. For most of you is it a "don't ever go back" proposition?

 

[Armand4]

I have an old Dupree/ Walbro bellows-type electric pump that works beautifully in my Series II with a Weber 32-36. I've never heard any reasons to use mechanical fuel pumps rather than electric ones, other than the fact that it's easier to change a mechanical one if it breaks on the side of the road. And the guy who told me that was discussing his flathead-powered '37 Ford, so that may not apply to Alpines

I like the consistency of an electric pump, but since there's no cutoff switch I need to either install one or reinstall a mechanical pump I happen to have.

Why do you need to install a cutoff switch for your electric pump? Is it dangerous to have the electric pump without a switch? I've always thought of fuel pump cutoff switches as more of an anti-theft device than a safety consideration.

 

[jumpinjan]

Along these same lines, is there any particular advantage or disadvantate to replacing an electric fuel pump with an original mechanical pump?

Probably, the most severe disadvantage is your car burnt to the ground and you're dead. I haven't seen an amateur electric pump installation yet that wasn't a hack job. I'm being honest, I worked on two Alpines that were hacked up installations. They were potential fire traps, and not safe at all.
Question, would you wrap a hot, 12VDC wire around the fuel line (engine compartment-to-rear), as a convenience to get power to the electric pump? Would you cut up the nylon fuel line (in many places) to insert fuel filters and the pump and all connected with unions of rubber fuel line hose, clamped with small hose clamps?
Both cars, I had to pull off the whole fuel line system. Of course I had to make new "steel" lines and use compression fittings and make the installation safe.
Yes, I did install pump switches. You should too!
Jan

 

[Derek]

Just some follow up on the earlier posts. things I know on my SV..

1) It does have a priming lever and my WSM does not show one, so I am going to guess I have an earlier series pump.

2) The fuel line to the carb is flexible

3) I ordered a rebuild kit today because I dont want to pull it a third time, I think I may have done the damage by not having the cam lever depressed all of the way when tightening the screws, ouch !

Derek

 

[gordonra]

Why do you need to install a cutoff switch for your electric pump? Is it dangerous to have the electric pump without a switch? I've always thought of fuel pump cutoff switches as more of an anti-theft device than a safety consideration.

Just to make sure we are clear.... The cutoff switch is really an inertia switch. It's designed so that a hard bump will open the circuit and prevent the pump from draining the fuel tanks to create a major fire/explosion hazzard.

YES you need one.... mine was about $80 new. I mounted mine in the engine bay where it's accessible to reset if necessary.

 

[twospeed]

I have used before engine oil pressure switches, the fuel pump only works when the engine is running.For some reason you shut off the engine ----no oil pressure----no fuel pump. The carbs have enough fuel in the bowls to get the motor running, and then the pump turns on.

 

[SIVAllan]

Just some follow up on the earlier posts. things I know on my SV..

1) It does have a priming lever and my WSM does not show one, so I am going to guess I have an earlier series pump.

2) The fuel line to the carb is flexible

3) I ordered a rebuild kit today because I dont want to pull it a third time, I think I may have done the damage by not having the cam lever depressed all of the way when tightening the screws, ouch !

Derek

Derek,

A pic of the SV fuel pump (left) and earlier fuel pump (right). The SV pump has a tube to which a flex line is attached to carry fuel to the carbs. The earlier pump has a banjo fitting and metal line instead of the flex line fitting and flexible hose.

Allan

 

[Bill Blue]

Twospeed, I think the pressure switches would not work out very well on a typical Alpine. They are not used on a regular basis and it is very easy for all the gasoline to evaporate out of the carbs. You then have to prime the engine by pouring gasoline into the carbs or have a switch to bypass the pressure switch. Probably would be best to wire in a bypass circuit that sends juice to the pump from the starter.

But it would be easier to wire in a Ford inertia switch. No need to pay 80 bucks, either. The junkyards are full of them.

Bill

 

[Derek]

Allen thanks for the photos, I have the pumpo on the left, strange the WSM does not show the priming lever

Derek

 

[wframe]

But it would be easier to wire in a Ford inertia switch. No need to pay 80 bucks, either. The junkyards are full of them.

Can you provide a little more details on the Ford switch you are referring to? Ford models to look for, where on the car are they located, what do they look like? Basic stuff so on my next trip to Pick-a-Part, I know what to look for.

Thanks!

 

[Bill Blue]

Can you provide a little more details on the Ford switch you are referring to? Ford models to look for, where on the car are they located, what do they look like? Basic stuff so on my next trip to Pick-a-Part, I know what to look for.

Thanks!

They are located in the trunk from the mid eighties up to ??? There is a little yellow sign about a fuel reset button. The gizmo is a plastic cube, about 2" on each face with a yellow (I think) button. I know they were in the Tempo, Taurus and Escort. Probably all the other Fords of the era. Our Focus wagon does not have one.

Bill