<VV> Fw: those pesky fuel pumps!!

[Jack Kean]

What is it about fuel pumps that ignites this list? It's sure not the 
ethanol laced gasoline we have to use.

Everyone has a story about fuel pumps, and I do too. I never had any 
problems before I rebuilt my current car and installed a new pump 
purchased from Clarks in 2006. That pump worked fine (with a matching 
pushrod), except it generated 10+ PSI at idle. So, I followed the advice 
given by Matt Nall and others and cut the spring until it started 
generating a nice steady 3 PSI. No problems for a year and a half. Then 
it quit last February. I borrowed a new mechanical pump from a friend. 
It would not pump using the engine. However it would pump when I worked 
it up and down using my hand (and it too cut off at 10 psi). When I 
pulled it out I noticed that the plunger extended at least .15 " longer 
than the one I replaced. I verified that the p/n was for a late model, 
plugged it back into the motor, and still it would not pump. Got the car 
home, and installed an electric pump, fuel pump controller and inertia 
switch. Overkill? Maybe. Problem solved? Hopefully.

Do I know the root cause? No. Do I care. No. I returned the slightly 
used pump with a word of thanks and caution to my friend. I am an 
engineer who always wants to know the cause of a problem. But, it's 
beautiful here in Arlington, Texas, and I simply want to drive my 
convertible. Which I am doing now.

Hopefully it will be a few more iterations of this email thread before I 
have any additional updates to make.

jack kean
Arlington, Texas
68 Monza Convertible, 140 4 speed

J R Read_HML wrote:
> From: "J R Read_HML" <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Ron" <ronh at owt.com> and VV
> Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 3:54 PM
> Subject: Re: <VV> those pesky fuel pumps!!
>
>
>   
>> OK...   Ron, Smitty, and Andy K have all suggested to me that the "lower" 
>> push rod (don't know if I have the correct terminology there) - the one 
>> that rides on the eccentric - may be the culprit as there are two 
>> different lengths for these guys and it may be possible to have the wrong 
>> one installed.  Since I have never dealt with this on an EM engine (either 
>> '60 or later), I defer to these gentlemen for the possible combinations 
>> and potential results on the longevity of the fuel pump.
>>
>> Later, JR
>> CCE CORSA CORVANANTICS SCG member
>> '61 Rampside Standard 4/110 - with a LM engine
>> '65 Monza Convertible 4/140
>> "Keep the Love Alive"
>>
>>
>>     
>
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