re: "Regular maintainance and repairing parts apparently is not a US thing"
Not for some, maybe, but I maintain and repair:
- a BJ8
- a BN2/100M (frame-off resto by my father and myself)
- a 2008 Mustang GT
I help maintain and repair:
- a 1919 Seagrave pumper fire engine
- a 1946 Chevy 2-ton truck
- a 1955 Thunderbird
- a 1965 Mustang
- a 2002 Lincoln LS
- a couple farm tractors
We always try to repair any parts we can, if for no other reason than
we're cheap asses.
There is a thriving aftermarket and 'do-it-yourself' market for
individuals who maintain, repair and restore/customize cars here in the
US. Ever hear of SEMA? There are also a couple cable TV networks
somewhat devoted to the aficionado and 'do-it-yourselfer.'
I futzed with SU fuel pumps--I have 5 or 6--for years with varying
degrees of success (including installing a solid state kit). Like John,
I followed my Bentley manual--and any other info I could find--to the
letter. I finally got tired of messing with them and had a 'pro' build
a couple solid state versions for me. The last time I installed a new
points set they showed burning within a few hundred miles. The points
appeared to be shiny silver, not dull tungsten, and the builder verified
quality points were no longer available.
I still carry 2 spares.
Bob
ps. Does EVERYBODY in Europe maintain and repair their own cars and parts?
On 11/22/2016 3:00 AM, Oudesluys wrote:
> Op 22-11-2016 om 0:19 schreef Bob Spidell:
>> Hmmmm ... Wonder why so many of us over here in the 'States have
>> problems with them? I think possibly the points manufactured in,
>> say, the last 30 years or so were substandard (I know those of recent
>> manufacture ARE substandard, confirmed by a respected rebuilder).
>> Maybe that's why your 'survivors' all had original points?
>>
>> Bob
>
> I think it is more a question of regular maintainance, but new points
> may be substandard like distributor contact points. Although I have
> not fitted new points yet, I do have some NOS original SU items, not
> the replica ones which may or may not be OK. Whenever I can lay my
> hands on NOS original items I get them, directly needed or not.
>
> Regular maintainance and repairing parts apparently is not a US thing,
> however here in Europe, and certainly the UK, we are quite used to it
> so we may clean the points now and then, which helps to keep them
> alive and prevent serious spark erosion.
>
> Once you have to tap the pump to get it going again for the first time
> you have to take action asap.
>
> The classic SU fuel pump with points is one of the most durable pumps
> in existence if properly maintained and always repairable, no modern
> fuel pump comes near.
>
> It may be useful to fit a diode to reduce sparking.
>
> Kees Oudesluijs
>
>
>
>
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