Fuel Pump Recommendation

[Guest myfirstbuick]

Hello,

I'm tired of the fuel pump on my '39 Special working only intermittently. I want to install an electric pump at the tank, remove the glass ball at the engine, and pump right to the carburetor. Can someone recommend something that has worked for them? Our local NAPA store didn't have any suggestions for a 6 volt system.... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Mark Shaw]

I really don't like electric fuel pumps. I prefer to rebuild the original (and very simple) diaphragm fuel pumps tha GM used through the 50's. A rebuild kit with all the right parts will be under $40 from Bob's Automobilia.

However, if you must have an electric, you can purchase 12VDC units from Bob's for just under $70 or get a 6VDC unit from The Filling Station http://www.fillingstation.com/ for about the same price.

Mark Shaw

[critterpainter]

If your fuelpump is intermittant you probably have crud in the line or a pinhole that is sucking air somewhere. Once in a while its a bad fuel cap. I agree with Mark, as I have had more problems with electric pumps than problems solved with electric pumps. First find why your your pump is erratic and fix the pjroblem, then if you must..go ahead and install an electric one.

Bill

[Guest Fr Mike]

ACDELCO makes one for 6 volt systems (ACD# EP11 and GM#6414670). It's designed for continuous action. I installed one as a backup while having trouble with my '31's stock mechanical pump. After straightening it out, I transferred it to my '36 Plymouth, after experiencing a problem with that stock pump (just lucky, I guess). The pump worked ok on both cars.

[Guest myfirstbuick]

Thanks all for the great responses - both pro and con. The first thing I did when I brought my Buick home was drop and clean the gas tank and blow the lines. I installed a new fuel pump that the previous owner had purchased but had not installed. That's where I stand today with my current problem. I am noticing quite a bit of crud in the glass bulb so maybe I should take the advice of checking my lines for leaks or maybe again just replace the lines so I'll know they are fine.

Thanks again!

[Guest dabecker65@gmail.com]

...and the problem could also be the fuel pump installed. Even though it was a new or rebuilt one, if it has been in storage for several years the diaphragm could have split because it had dried out from age. You should also check the crankcase for presence of gas mixed in the oil. it doesn't take much of a crack in the diaphragm to make you pull your hair out looking for the problem. I would rebuild it with a fresh kit.

[Guest Fr Mike]

When I first brought my '31 home, I had a lot of problems with a starved carburetor. I blew out the fuel lines---same problem. I had the fuel pump rebuilt---same problem. I sent it back & re-installed it---same problem. I rebuilt the carburetor---same problem. I had the gas tank relined---same problem. Finally, I replaced the tank-to-pump fuel line---no more problem! The fuel line had become so lined over time with deposits that the inside diameter of the line was reduced sufficiently to interfere with the efficiency of the fuel pump.

After cleaning out the pump bowl & screen & checking the carburetor for crud, You might want to try disconnecting the old fuel line to the pump and hooking up a temporary one and see what happens. Good luck!

[eric_b_1937]

I have a fuel pump problem with my 1937. When I let the car sit for a day and try to start it, the fuel in the carbuator gives ignition instantly. Then It is starved for gas and then I have to really crank the car over, almost to the point of running down the battery, to pump gas to the carburator, as soon as fuel fills the line and carburator bowl the car starts and runs fine.

I rebuilt the fuel pump with new diaphram, replaced all the fuel lines to the tank, and I do not see any fuel leaks. I just do not know what to try next to keep fuel pressure in the line. Is a electric fuel pump used to prime the system the only option?