convertin fuel pumps

[brackie1]

I want to replace my mechanical fuel pump with an electric one. I have a 1977 spider with a weber 32/36 DEFV carb. does any know of a reason not to and is there a site I can go to that will walk me thru it.

Gene
North Carolina

[divace73]

what is wrong with the mechanical pump? Its much more work than just replacing an existing mechanical pump and not to mention it can be a hazard in an accident without a fail-safe switch

[brackie1]

my problem is that my carb is loosing its fuel overnight and is difficult to start in the mornings. Once started and driven it is fine the rest of the day. I just felt that with an electric fuel pump the fuel would be pushed back into the carb for easier starting. my mechanical carb is only six months old. This has been a problem as long as I have had the car which is 2yrs. I put the new weber on last year. the starting problem also occurred with the original carb.

[divace73]

my problem is that my carb is loosing its fuel overnight and is difficult to start in the mornings. Once started and driven it is fine the rest of the day. I just felt that with an electric fuel pump the fuel would be pushed back into the carb for easier starting. my mechanical carb is only six months old. This has been a problem as long as I have had the car which is 2yrs. I put the new weber on last year. the starting problem also occurred with the original carb.

I haven't had a carb for a while but from my understanding there should be enough fuel in the bowl of the carb to feed the car while starting and the mech pump should supply enough to replenish the bowl.
Others chime in....

When you say you mechanical carb is six month old, do I assume you replaced the mech pump six months ago?

I believe with an electric pump you may also have to get a regulator as to not put too much pressure through the carb?

[brackie1]

yes I did install a new mechanical pump 6 months ago. I am aware of the potential pressure problem with electric fuel pumps and carbs. I really don't want to do all of the work necessary to make the change. I wonder if a one way valve could be put in the fuel line at the carb to keep the fuel from leaking back out if indeed that is what is happening.

[So Cal Mark]

it's impossible for the fuel in the float bowl to go back through the fuel line. It has to be leaking. The obvious place is from the accelerator pump

[Nanonevol]

Could there be other reasons it won't start easily when cold such as choke setting, or weak ignition?

[spider2081]

I am pretty sure there are a few years in the mid-70's where the Spiders had both the mechanical pump and an electric pump. The electric pump was powered in the start position of the ignition switch only. This assured proper fuel pressure during cranking. When the ignition switch returned to the run position the electric pump turns off and the engine runs off the mechanical pump

[brackie1]

Mark, if it is leaking would there be a fuel odor. There doesn't seem to be any noticeable fuel odor, but I will check. Thanks