<VV> Re: Manual operation of fuel pump (was Jogging Fuel Pump)

[N. Joseph Potts]

Here's an idea (I haven't consciously tried the idea myself, but I HAVE
manually pumped without damaging the pump - an accident, I guess). If you
LOOSEN the set screw that positions the pump shaft in the bore in the
engine, you introduce what I'll call "axial slack" - an ability to displace
the pump back and forth along its axis in the bore. If you loosen this screw
as much as you can before it lets go the pump shaft altogether, but no
further, you'll get a stroke that SHOULD be long enough to pump, but short
enough not to damage the pump. Just as important, that stroke will be in
"the right place" axially, referred as it is to the position of the set
screw and the dimple the set screw engages.
     Anyway, that's how I'd "try to be careful," along with just never
pushing or pulling very hard.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of Robert Hawley
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 2:27 PM
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Re: Manual operation of fuel pump (was Jogging Fuel Pump)


    Howdy all.
After reading the recent string of posts I confess to being a bit confused
on
this issue of utilizing the fuel pump manually to get gas to the carbs.
Earlier this year, I was advised several times on this BB to use the fuel
pump
manually to prime the YH carb after it had been sitting to reduce the time
that the engine has to crank to pull fuel from the tank. No one at that time
mentioned possible damage to the pump.  When resurrecting my Spyder (after a
3
year hiatus), I loosened the pump and pushed it until the gas filled the
carb
bowl.  I admit to not being aware that the pump rod stroke supplied by the
engine was so short.  The car still works so I can guess that I didn't
totally
ruin the pump (original as far as I know).   Is the advice to hand pump now
incorrect?  Are there any alternatives to make it easier to get gas to the
carb after non-use (please no electric fuel pump discussion - lol) or was
the
main point that care is indicated in manually using the pump so as not to
damage the pump diaphragm ?  If so, how does one "carefully" utilize the
pump
by hand?
    Thanks in advance, Robert Hawley (1963 Spyder convert)