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Re: [Healeys] SU Fuel pump points

To: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] SU Fuel pump points
From: Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2020 09:29:33 -0700
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: healeys@autox.team.net
References: <000001d632a6$bf720950$3e561bf0$@alexarevel.plus.com>
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There is no definitive answer. Sitting on the shelf, the points on a 
pump can oxidize and the pump may not work 'off-the-shelf' without a 
points cleaning (same for a car that sits too long). Note the points' 
throw-over mechanism, set up properly, is designed to 'wipe' the points 
with every cycle. Norman Nock said the pump would be removed and the 
points cleaned as part of normal dealer maintenance, at around 10K miles 
IIRC.

At one time, at least, there were aftermarket points sold--maybe before 
SU Burlen got back in the business--that came in a generic white box and 
were made in one of the Chinas; quality was as expected (i.e. 
non-existent). I had a set fail in a couple hundred miles. I discussed 
this with the late Dave DuBois, who had a post-retirement avocation of 
pump restorer, favoring various electronic mechanisms, and he confirmed 
this theory. Those points looked to me to be made of silver, instead of 
tungsten, which is a dull gray color and, I think, may be more expensive 
than silver, and the points were pitted after a few miles. Dave designed 
the original, power transistor-based mod, but switched to a 
photo-breaker mechanism later; results vary (ironically, perhaps, the 
transistor-based mod didn't send enough current through the points to 
clean them). Some have allegedly had points last for decades and tens of 
thousands of miles, and some now swear by TVS diodes (I didn't have much 
luck with them). Like any points set, the points can stick to each 
other, which is sometimes remedied by banging on the pump or its mount 
with a suitable blunt instrument (fists, hammers, etc.).

So, the answer is 'it depends.' I have had sets last several 
years--15-20K miles--and I've had various failures at points between 
with pretty much every alternative switching mechanism. As aggravating 
as the SU pumps can be, I've found engine-driven pumps to be even more 
pernicious, since filters and float bowls dry out and must be refilled 
by cranking the engine if the car has sat too long. In the case of my 
dad's '55 T-bird it's a crap shoot between the engine starting and the 
6V battery being complete drained; worst case I have to resort to 
starter fluid.

Bob

On 5/25/2020 8:11 AM, simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com wrote:
>
> Basic question is: ?How long, approx., should they last? (Yes, there 
> is a diode thing across them.)
>
> My car has been running OK. OKish?..I?d swapped back from Webers to 
> the three HD6s and had the car set up at the rolling road place. They 
> leaned the mixture settings somewhat, saying it would run better and 
> use less fuel. (A relative term). I noticed that it took much longer 
> to settle down after starting. Quite a lot of rude noises and much 
> play on the choke at intersections. And, when it was up to 
> temperature, I wondered whether it was quite right?was it a bit 
> sluggish or was I just used to the Webers?
>
> The other day, it hesitated and would have cut out. But, with one 
> bound I switched over pumps, and I was free! However, the pump ? 
> double ended ? had to come off for inspection. Both sets of points 
> were completely shot. I replaced them. Nasty, fiddly business. Now the 
> car starts much better and performs better all round. Surprisingly so?.
>
> I installed that pump in 2012, +/-12,500 miles ago. So that?s +/- 
> 6,250 miles per set of points.
>
>  1. Would failing points give those symptoms? (I was/am surprised?.I
>     though points either delivered 100% or failed 100%. I know that a
>     judicious thump on the bulkhead can work in the short term.)
>  2. How long would you expect SU points to last?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Simon
>
> Glorious weather here and forecast all week. Perfect Healey weather. 
> One is allowed out, but not really encouraged to go anywhere! 
> Maddening. Pubs are certainly shut. Anyhow, keep well.
>
>


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    There is no definitive answer. Sitting on the shelf, the points on a
    pump can oxidize and the pump may not work 'off-the-shelf' without a
    points cleaning (same for a car that sits too long). Note the
    points' throw-over mechanism, set up properly, is designed to 'wipe'
    the points with every cycle. Norman Nock said the pump would be
    removed and the points cleaned as part of normal dealer maintenance,
    at around 10K miles IIRC.<br>
    <br>
    At one time, at least, there were aftermarket points sold--maybe
    before SU Burlen got back in the business--that came in a generic
    white box and were made in one of the Chinas; quality was as
    expected (i.e. non-existent). I had a set fail in a couple hundred
    miles. I discussed this with the late Dave DuBois, who had a
    post-retirement avocation of pump restorer, favoring various
    electronic mechanisms, and he confirmed this theory. Those points
    looked to me to be made of silver, instead of tungsten, which is a
    dull gray color and, I think, may be more expensive than silver, and
    the points were pitted after a few miles. Dave designed the
    original, power transistor-based mod, but switched to a
    photo-breaker mechanism later; results vary (ironically, perhaps,
    the transistor-based mod didn't send enough current through the
    points to clean them). Some have allegedly had points last for
    decades and tens of thousands of miles, and some now swear by TVS
    diodes (I didn't have much luck with them). Like any points set, the
    points can stick to each other, which is sometimes remedied by
    banging on the pump or its mount with a suitable blunt instrument
    (fists, hammers, etc.).<br>
    <br>
    So, the answer is 'it depends.' I have had sets last several
    years--15-20K miles--and I've had various failures at points between
    with pretty much every alternative switching mechanism. As
    aggravating as the SU pumps can be, I've found engine-driven pumps
    to be even more pernicious, since filters and float bowls dry out
    and must be refilled by cranking the engine if the car has sat too
    long. In the case of my dad's '55 T-bird it's a crap shoot between
    the engine starting and the 6V battery being complete drained; worst
    case I have to resort to starter fluid.<br>
    <br>
    Bob<br>
    <br>
    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 5/25/2020 8:11 AM,
      <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" 
href="mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com";>simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com</a>
 wrote:<br>
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      <div class="WordSection1">
        <p class="MsoNormal">Basic question is: ?How long, approx.,
          should they last? (Yes, there is a diode thing across 
them.)<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">My car has been running OK. OKish?..I?d
          swapped back from Webers to the three HD6s and had the car set
          up at the rolling road place. They leaned the mixture settings
          somewhat, saying it would run better and use less fuel. (A
          relative term). I noticed that it took much longer to settle
          down after starting. Quite a lot of rude noises and much play
          on the choke at intersections. And, when it was up to
          temperature, I wondered whether it was quite right?was it a
          bit sluggish or was I just used to the Webers?<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">The other day, it hesitated and would have
          cut out. But, with one bound I switched over pumps, and I was
          free! However, the pump ? double ended ? had to come off for
          inspection. Both sets of points were completely shot. I
          replaced them. Nasty, fiddly business. Now the car starts much
          better and performs better all round. Surprisingly so?.<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">I installed that pump in 2012, +/-12,500
          miles ago. So that?s +/- 6,250 miles per set of points.<o:p></o:p></p>
        <ol style="margin-top:0cm" type="1" start="1">
          <li class="MsoListParagraph"
            style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Would
            failing points give those symptoms? (I was/am surprised?.I
            though points either delivered 100% or failed 100%. I know
            that a judicious thump on the bulkhead can work in the short
            term.)<o:p></o:p></li>
          <li class="MsoListParagraph"
            style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">How long
            would you expect SU points to last?<o:p></o:p></li>
        </ol>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Simon<o:p></o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Glorious weather here and forecast all
          week. Perfect Healey weather. One is allowed out, but not
          really encouraged to go anywhere! Maddening. Pubs are
          certainly shut. Anyhow, keep well.<o:p></o:p></p>
      </div>
      <br>
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