fuel pump

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:34 pm

hello is it possible to fita morris oxford fuel pump that is fitted at rear of car and pushes fuel to the carb, could it be altered to fit at front and pull fuel to carb.thanks ,,grandad

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:46 pm

Well - it 'could', and it may work, but there is a slight design difference between the 'sucker' pumps (ie Minor) and the 'pusher' pumps. It would probably work quite well if mounted low down at the front (so it still has flooded suction), and that would help to eliminate the 'fuel vapourisation' that some cars (but never mine) seem to develop in hot weather.

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:53 pm

ok it will be interesting to see what others say some one will have tried it,,grandad

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:48 pm

Can't think why you would want to bother. The standard Minor pump works perfectly well and if it doesn't it is easy to reach with a hammer. The fuel vapourisation occurs in lowlight MMs and can be cured by fitting a heatproof spacer between the carb and manifold.
Besides you would miss the ticking.

Post by **Leo** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:05 pm

Mike

I have always regarded the ticking sound of the fuel pump on the bulkhead as a fuel econometer, the more clicks equals more ££££'s of fuel.

Maybe they had this in mind when they placed it there..............

Those of you that ran an Austin Ambassador in the 80's would understand what an econometer was

Leo (Wallingford)

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:28 pm

most common pump conversion is to use a Facet type pusher pump - these can be mounted at the rear, near the fuel tank.
Personally I stick with an original SU pump - as most still work after 40+ years and changing the points is not too hard.
Fuel vapourisation will happen to all Minors with the standard set up if subjected to the right conditions - which involves hot days and being stuck in a queue for hours. It's annoying but not terminal and heat shields can help.

I've seen one conversion where an SU pump was mounted on the engine bay floor at the front away from the exhaust (pumping up to the carb). The 'puller' pump wasn't designed for that but only because it's not got a big 'push' from the spring. If you don't get fuel starvation then it's working well enough and as the fuel does not need to be pulled uphill, vaporisation will be alleviated.

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:32 pm

could it be altered to fit at front and pull fuel to carb

But why would you want to try and fit one.

some one will have tried it

I doubt that as the Correct one is much more readily available, unless of course by mistake, and I would have though that a rear fitted pusher pump would have had a higher output pressure than was needed.

Post by **alanworland** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:40 pm

Any ideas as to how the diaphram lasts with the lalest high benzene petrols?
I believe my pump to be original (only a points change) but of course the original parts were made for leaded fuel.
I seem to remember that when unleaded fuel was introduced there was a rash of leaks from fuel systems unable to contain the new product

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:42 pm

Well - mine has been ok in the 8 years i've had the car!

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:20 am

bmcecosse wrote:Well - mine has been ok in the 8 years i've had the car!

its just that we were discussing it yester day as my mate worked on his a 35 we talk about these silly ideas some times .i had a princess and the ambasadore many years ago the old princess was a very good car but the ambassadore with the later engine i did not like.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:10 pm

alanworland wrote:Any ideas as to how the diaphram lasts with the lalest high benzene petrols?
I believe my pump to be original (only a points change) but of course the original parts were made for leaded fuel.
I seem to remember that when unleaded fuel was introduced there was a rash of leaks from fuel systems unable to contain the new product

I think you mean Ethanol (currently 5% in regular unleaded). Not a problem, as this was considered when the companies started adding it to petrol. OTOH E85 would eat a Moggy fuel system as it attacks rubber and certain alloys.

I got a spare pump diaphram from ESM for the LEO run, and it has a plastic membrane each side of the rubber bit.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:33 pm

The unleaded fuels have been high in benzene for years now. Addition of Ethanol is a fairly recent idea.

Post by **alanworland** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:54 pm

I used to work for a petrol pump manufacturer (Gilbarco) and at the time of introduction of unleaded fuel the problems with some rubber pipes were quite extensive.
I also carry a spare diaghram and my original looks ok considering that it has probably pumped nearly 4000 gallons! (135000 @ 35mpg)