[Healeys] Fuel Pump

[Bob Spidell]

SU fuel pumps, in my experience--have several I've rebuilt several times--fail by becoming intermittent then quitting altogether. Ticking wildly is usually an air leak or, as someone suggested, a blockage on the inlet side. 

If you plan on taking any long road trips do yourself a favor; install an electronic SU pump, and keep your points pump as a spare (rebuild if necessary). Moss and others sell the SU electronic, about $140 last I checked. Well worth it. 

You shouldn't spill more than a couple teaspoons of gas when you remove a pump. Make sure the battery is disconnected to remove any possibility of a spark. 


bs 

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Bob Spidell - San Jose, CA 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "R Phillips" <healeydriver1 at gmail.com> 
To: healeys at autox.team.net 
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 5:13:11 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: [Healeys] Fuel Pump 

Now that I've come to terms with my SU carbs, I'm turning my attention to 
the SU fuel pump. Recently I was driving (65 BJ8) in 90 degree weather.The 
car was running smoothly, water temp never over 170. As I coasted to a 
light, it just stopped running. The fuel pump was ticking like an angry 
hornet. And yes there was plenty of gas in the tank. After a few seconds 
it started back up and ran fine the rest of the way home. While I know this 
could be any number of things, my working assumption is the fuel pump is 
starting to get temperamental. And if I'm wrong, I'm sure it will 
eventually. So: 
1. Can they/should they be rebuilt or just replaced? 
2. Anyone make an electronic version? 
3. How much gas will I dump on my garage floor when I change it out? 

Sorry if all this seems basic. I finally have the time (recently retired) 
and want to begin to take responsibility for the maintenance of this 
wonderful automobile. 

Ric 
'65 BJ8 
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