Fuel Pumps

Post by **shymoggie** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:06 pm

Hi again,

I've just got the 'other' engine running today...... sooooo sweet compared to the one I've been fighting with all week

I've come across the only snag so far, the fuel pump (electrical type thing) is completley inorperative.

Could someone please explain if I have to have a specific minor one or can I go and get a standard electric suction type pump from the motor factors locally ? Or could the engine be converted to the later (mini type) mechanical pump ?

The car spec is 1969, 1098 with its original pump if this helps.

Thanks.

Post by **Alec** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:45 am

Hello SM,
specifically S.U. electric pumps are two types, for either fitting close to the tank or close to the engine. Most cars have the former. There is no reason that I can think of why you can't fit a Mini mechanical pump, it just means adapting the pipe work.

Alec

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:38 am

why dont you just get the correct su one it cheap enough these days.
cant understand why so many people want to fit other parts.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:46 pm

There is no reason that I can think of why you can't fit a Mini mechanical pump, it just means adapting the pipe work.

Not all the engines have the opening to take a mechanical pump, many need machining to open it up as they dont have the removable cover my current 1098 is like that and I think its in the majority.
And as Mark says you can now get a brand pump quite cheaply, I got a genuine SU last year at a show for £50.00 and they chucked in a new pipe for a couple of pounds.

Post by **57traveller** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:24 pm

You beat me to it, Kevin. However wasn't too sure if the Mini mech. pump secured to block and operated by a cam. So didn't want to place foot in mouth

My Traveller engine block has a bolted on blanking plate but on my saloon the block casting is solid in the same place. Wasn't sure either if a mechanical pump could be driven off a "Minor" camshaft i.e. no cam for that purpose. I suspect maybe the Traveller's block didn't originate on a Minor. In fact the spec. tab on the carb. bowl refers to an Austin A40

Even with a blanking plate it's surely not worth the hassle of fitting a mechanical pump with what's entailed altering pipework etc. I'm sure also that the SU electric pump is just as reliable. There's an electronic (contactless) version available as well.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:19 pm

shymoggie,
Are you sure the pump is kaput? Normally they just need new points (inexpensive).

Post by **57traveller** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:31 pm

Might even just need a clean up Ray. It's easy enough to take off the cover and insert a piece of paper between the contacts and give them a polish.

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:55 pm

you can get one of those mech pumps off a old a35, if you can find one

Post by **Willie** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:09 pm

As stated the Minor pump is a 'puller' type whereas any pump
designed to be fitted near the rear petrol tank is a 'pusher'
They do not take kindly to being fitted to the wrong type of
fuel system( I found out the hard way on a Midget). Fit the
proper Minor one. If an electrical pump starts playing up you
just hit it to get you home!! If the mechanical one goes sick
you are stuck.

Post by **shymoggie** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:52 pm

Thanks everyone.....
Pump stripped down, points cleaned, contacts built up 'a tiny bit' with solder and brrrrrrrrrrrrr we're in business !!!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:57 pm

shymoggie,
If I was you I'd invest in some new points ready for when the repair gives way... ;-)
10/10 for improvisation.

Post by **shymoggie** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:25 pm

How dare you sir....... my repair... give way ???

Uhmmmmmmmm you're probably right

Where do I get some from ?

Post by **salty_monk** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 3:56 pm

Bull Motif do them but don't reccomend them as they say they always seem to end up selling a new pump to the same person a few weeks later...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:35 pm

I put some new ones on Riley a year ago as the old points were completely eroded.
Had a bit of teething trouble as the 'new' points were old stock and needed the surface cleaning off, but they had been fine ever since.