Elec. Fuel Pump??

[bonsaiwino]

Our '79 carbureted Spider takes a long time turning over before starting if I haven't run it for a couple of days. Once it starts, it runs strong & steady. Would an elec. fuel pump take care of this symptom? Is there any downside to installing one? If I do it, can anyone recommend a reliable one to use (& where to source it)? As usual, thanks for the advice. All the best, Don

[bradartigue]

Our '79 carbureted Spider takes a long time turning over before starting if I haven't run it for a couple of days. Once it starts, it runs strong & steady. Would an elec. fuel pump take care of this symptom? Is there any downside to installing one? If I do it, can anyone recommend a reliable one to use (& where to source it)? As usual, thanks for the advice. All the best, Don

There is nothing wrong with replacing your mechanical one with a new mechanical one, they tend to last about 20 years. If you are going to go electric then consider spending a bit more than the little facet/purolator square pump and get a bendix style pump like used on the Alfas, which tend to last a decade or so.

[spidernut]

The problem can be several areas:

1. There is a check valve located in the fuel supply line near the firewall where the fuel lines enter the engine compartment. The one-way valve opens when the fuel pump starts pulling fuel from the tank. When the motor shuts off the check valve is supposed to stop the fuel from siphoning back into the tank. Because the fuel lines and carb are higher than the tank the fuel can siphon back. If you have a clear fuel filter you can also monitor the level after turning off the car, then check it the next day and see if the level is the same as the day before. If it empties any you probably have a bad check valve.

2. Any leaks in the power valve, auxiliary valve or accelerator pump diaphragm will will cause the fuel level to drop too low in the float bowl and you'll need to crank for a while to get the fuel level high enough for pumping the gas pedal to make any difference.

If step 1 doesn't work, take the top off of your carb and look at the fuel level in the float bowl. Let your car sit for a few days, remove the top of the carb and compare it. If the level dropped you could have a leak in any of these diaphragms. If the level stays up at normal, you should be able to pump the pedal once to get enough fuel to start the car.

This is a very common problem on the 79s. An electric fuel pump will solve the problem.

[JEEPER]

Our '79 carbureted Spider takes a long time turning over before starting if I haven't run it for a couple of days. Once it starts, it runs strong & steady. Would an elec. fuel pump take care of this symptom? Is there any downside to installing one? If I do it, can anyone recommend a reliable one to use (& where to source it)? As usual, thanks for the advice. All the best, Don

I have a 79 that had the same probable. I am the original owner and the dealer put an electric fuel pump on it 30 years ago and that did the trick.

[bradartigue]

The factory check valve - unless you're talking about the three way vapor thingy - was removed on many as part of a campaign to remove defective parts. It leaked. So if your car doesn't have one, that's why. They aren't actually the easiest things to find, though I've sourced them from Auto Zone and elsewhere. Any fuel check valve will do, so long as it is for a carbureted engine (low PSI).

I can't vouch for the quality of non-OEM mechanical pumps, but if it were my car I'd put in a mechanical pump to replace a mechanical pump. I've never loved the idea of adding things when it isn't necessary...and necessary it may very well be depending on your tolerance for sorting things out.

If nothing else I'd change out the needle valve and float in my carburetor, and make sure the charcoal canister system is hooked up, which would eliminate the negative pressure in the tank (and the draining). If it was disconnected you'll have to retune your carburetor idle speed slightly because the system is open, that's the little "hat" on top of the charcoal canister, it allows in (or out) a metered volume of air.

[bonsaiwino]

Ok, I got a facet square elec. fuel pump. Not sure where it should be mounted…….near tank? Thanks guys!

[spiderrey]

Mount it as near the tank as possible.

[bonsaiwino]

OK…I'm going to mount it just above the tank outlet. For wiring, my plan is to wire it directly to the "START" position on the ignition switch, so it only engages when cranking & goes off when the engine starts. Sound OK?? Thanks again.