Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi there

I have finally had my long standing morris which was kept in my grandad's garage for years, in working order (sort of) its now looking beautiful after a big respray and a bit of a fix and fingers crossed road worthy.
Unfort had a few hiccups along the way and has had to go back to see the family mechanic, turns out we need a new mechanical fuel pump.
I am extremely new to classic cars and all things old so have come on here for a bit of advice and to see where maybe I can purchase one, ebay perhaps?
Some great advice wld be much appreciated!!

Lucy

If it is a Morris Minor standard engine (1098, 948) it would have an electric pump fitted although 1275's had mechanical pumps. The mechanical pumps would be avialable at any motor factor as they are the same a classic mini's (I think). If it is the electric pump then go to Burlen fuel systems, Bull Motif or other specialist supplier, they will probably also sell you the mechanical pump. If you are on ebay don't be tempted by cheap fuel pumps they are not worth it and will breakdown very quickly.

I should add that usually the elctric pumps can be coaxed into life by cleaning the points that hide under the black cap.

As Jeff says - unlikely to have a mechanical fuel pump - I would be finding another mechanic.............. If indeed it's an electric pump, as above ^^^ clean the points! If you DO decide to buy a pump - don't get an 'electronic' version - some have found them short-lived.

If the engine has been swapped out of an Austin it may have a mechanical pump. Otherwise an electric pump bolted on to the side of the battery box

Thanks for replies.
Yes we have cleaned all the points, but mechanic said we need a new mechanical fuel pump, the one we have now is electric.
Apparently my grandad had to tap it sometimes when the car conked out.
The year of the car is 1974 and is a Morris Mini.

I really wanted to know where wld be the best place to purchase a good one or if you know of any morris minor suppliers that are honest and affordable, we haven't had much luck with this car since day one.

Thanks

LWiltshire81 wrote:The year of the car is 1974 and is a Morris Mini.

In which case I think it would have a mechanical fuel pump, different to a Morris Minor one. You will probably be better off asking on a mini forum for recommended spares traders although a few members here have mini knowledge so someone might be along in a minute to assist. Good luck with getting the car back on the road

No - pretty sure a 1974 Mini would still have the 'pusher' electric pump at the rear. Minors don't have mechanical pumps - they have 'puller' electric pumps - not at all suitable for a Mini. Just clean the points on the pump you have. If it's a Mini - consider using theminiforum - I'll see you there!

Hi Lucy they should be able to help you out.
http://www.minispares.com/Search.aspx

This is the correct link to the mechanical pump - http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx? ... 648&title= Note it says after ~ 74. So really I think your's should have the electric pump - but - IF the block has the opening for the mechanical pump - by all means change to that - it's half the price of the electric pump!

Hi there

Sorry bit confused the car is a Morris Minor Mini?? Im assuming u don't mean a Mini (Rover) engine. I got the date wrong its 1970 Morris so not sure if that will make a difference?
We have had an electric pump before and our mechanic advised against getting another one. I just heard mechanical pumps are alot more reliable?

This is getting confusing - you say above ^^^^^
" The year of the car is 1974 and is a Morris Mini. "
and so not unreasonably we assume it is indeed a Mini!!
Yes - IF there is a hole in the block (and usually only Austin engines had this hole in the early days) you can fit the Mini type mechanical fuel pump to a Morris MINOR engine - and they are reliable, and they don't suffer from 'the vapours', and they are half the price of a new electric pump. You will need to modify the piping slightly - and you will maybe need to churn the engine for a couple of turns to pump up fuel if the car stands for any time - but this has never done the Mini any harm - indeed - it pumps a little oil round the bearings so could be considered a 'good thing' !
Meantime - just clean the points on the electric pump!!

I think we need to establish whether the car is a Mini or a Morris Minor! This is a Morris Minor forum, not a Mini forum.

Could you post a picture of the car?? There is a bit of confusion going on here.

Does the car look like one of these, car A

or one of these car B

Which one does it most closely resemble, car A or car B??

Hard to tell CJ - the first pic is in black/white - so it's a bit difficult to guess the colour........ But - having the external door hinges - that Mini would definitely have the rear mounted 'pusher' fuel pump on the rear subframe.

ok this got me confused, I'm pretty sure my 58 4dr had a mechanical fuel pump with the 948 engine, how can this be then? Thanks

FrankM83 wrote:ok this got me confused, I'm pretty sure my 58 4dr had a mechanical fuel pump with the 948 engine, how can this be then? Thanks

That's interesting, my Minor has a 948cc engine and has a plate with two bolts over the the hole which would have a mechanical pump fitted if the engine had been in a car in which the mechanical pumps were fitted as standard. Does this mean I could fit a mechanical pump to MY Minor, and dispense with the slightly irritating click-click-click of the electric one?!

Yes - indeed you could - and it's very reliable and doesn't get 'the vapours' in hot weather. Downside - you won't have a secret switch to stop the car being driven away without your knowledge.

the only negative with a manual fuel pump is in extreme hot weather. you see you get vapourisation from the pump to the carb as the fuel line is close to the engine.

this is one reason why us austin owners have ditched the manual and fitted an electric one instead.

Well NO - you don't! What the Austins may have - is knackered old pumps that need a new diaphragm! Minis have used the mech pump for many many years now - the pump and the pipe runs right beside the exhaust in a very confined/hot area - and they NEVER have this problem! The mechanical pump is the ANSWER to 'the vapours' - because it is low mounted and therefore has an easy 'suck' of the fuel from the tank. Fuel vapourisation always happens in the suction line - never in the supply line.

bmcecosse wrote:Well NO - you don't! What the Austins may have - is knackered old pumps that need a new diaphragm! Minis have used the mech pump for many many years now - the pump and the pipe runs right beside the exhaust in a very confined/hot area - and they NEVER have this problem! The mechanical pump is the ANSWER to 'the vapours' - because it is low mounted and therefore has an easy 'suck' of the fuel from the tank. Fuel vapourisation always happens in the suction line - never in the supply line.

we'll have to agree to disagree then.
why have 100's of austin owners got rid of the mechanical pump then? diaphragm's are easy to get hold of through the club. except for those who want to keep it concours/original, most owners have ditched the pump and fitted an SU pump from a moggy. it's one of the 1st modifications thats done along with a 1.25" SU carb. it's just too much aggro with zenith carbs and those silly fuel pumps!

I never had a problem with the engine stalling due to vapourisation but the clicking gets on my nerves, especially when I'm in slow moving traffic, so I'll be converting my Minor to a mechanical fuel pump just as soon as I can get one! I have to say, until earlier this year I had an Austin 1300 with a mechanical pump and I never had a problem with it, despite it being the original one fitted in 1973!