Backup fuel pump

I hear a lot about fuel pumps failing. For a long trip, is it worth carrying a backup in the trunk?

To cite an old Jewish saying
"Vouldn't hoit".

Or as my friend in Canada always says,
"Better to be lookiing at it, than looking for it."

Just my two cents worth.

George

I carry a little purolater, I used it recently when my pump did fail, I just cut the rubber hose on the firewall under the bonnet, put the pump in and wired it straight to the fuse box, that lasted until I replaced the main pump - and the hose I had cut.

IMHO, yes, it's worth carrying a spare, just test it every now and then.

RIchard, Dave DuBois has an article in the library on how to install a back up fuel pump. http://www.mgexperience.net/article/backup-fuel-pump.html
Although the rubber bumper pump isn't as difficult to change as the pump in a chrome bumper, I wouldn't want to change either on the side of a busy road , especially on a dark rainy night. That said, I don't carry a spare. I do carry a cell phone and AAA Premier.

Clifton

It depends....... SU points pumps do fail~ usually due to age or disuse. So if you have an original, points type SU- probably a good idea. If a new SU (good for 10's of 1000's of mile) or electronic (pointless)SU or Facet - maybe not.

A points type SU as a back up can go bad from just sitting- the points go bad from not being used.

Know what you have and you can plan accordingly. Trips over 1000 miles I carry a spare- even though I have a new SU in the car. If I carry it I will probably never need it- but I did loan it to a Bugeye Sprite from Canada when his went down.........

George Herschell Wrote:

True Story:
A few years ago, I did a tip to tip in my 67 Roadster. Before leaving, I spent an evening sitting in the shop thinking and writing a list; what would or could break, and more importantly, what am I prepared to fix in a parking lot. I found that the second list was a lot shorter, and lightened my load considerably.
One day as luck would have it, about 3 miles from where I was planning on ending my day (Ontario Idaho), the fuel pump gave up. Using the ball of my hand against the bulkhead to urge the old points on, I made it off the Hiway and into a hotel parking lot. After carefully shepherding the car into the space in front of my room, I walked out for dinner and drinks, and had a shower and into bed. The next morning after coffee, I jacked up the B, placed my one jackstand under the spring shackle, took off the tire and changed fuel pumps with the tired ole spare from my old GT.
OOOPS, negative ground pump on a positive ground car. Car didn't care, just wanted to drive over toward those mountains on the horizon.
So, if you ask me about carrying a spare pump, I'll reply by saying "I do".
But then, read my sig.
Have fun

I couldn't figure out how to edit my post, so the PS goes
Here
ps. Pump worked fine thru the Cascades and up to Anacortes, where I spent a week sailing with a buddy, then all the way down the 1 to Mexico, and back to Texas. Bought a NEW pump for the car, with the old one in the boot today.

Rufus, just for the record, Ontario is in Oregon, not Idaho (Albeit it is on the border).

Regards, Mike

A permanently installed back-up pump is the smart thing to do. My first MGB was a brand new 1971. The SU pump was replaced twice under warranty. Since them I simply do not trust them.
Both of my cars have a German made pump that is a direct replacement for the SU.

Any recommendations on where you got the back up pump from?

Mine came from NAPA.
<http://www.facet-purolator.com/posiflo.asp>

As much as I have posted against using the facet type pump for every day use, I do carry one in my empty battery bin with hoses attached, just in case. I know they can be had at any parts store, but my luck usually involves late nights, rain, and closed stores. That is why I carry one. Besides, a spare S.U. would be a bit expensive.

Consider this scenario: You are traveling north on I5 and are just north of the Weed airport in Northern California (sounds remote, doesn't it? - it is). Weed is just about 50 miles south of the Oregon, California boarder.

Hey Dave, I drive that road monthly. (not in the MG) I would of stopped if I had seen you!

Robert - I would have welcomed that, particularly if you stopped behind me with hazard lights flashing. I winched every time a car went by an 70 plus and the MGB would shudder a bit. Not a fun experience.
Cheers,

I carry a facet as a backup. This winter I'm going to install it with some ball valves to make emergency change a snap.

Also, awhile back I converted my points style pump to a semi-solid state setup for less than a buck in parts from an electronics shop. Basically you use the points as a switching trigger for a transistor such that the main load is handled by solid state while the low current goes through the points. Less current, less arcing, less wear, more reliable.

I don't have the instructions electronically so I'll have to find, scan and post for those interested.

Darren - "This winter I'm going to install it with some ball valves to make emergency change a snap. " You don't need the ball valves, just plumb the facet in series with the primary pump, they will both pump through the other without any problems.
Cheers,

perfect, thanks for the tip!!!

I have access to some cheap facet pumps; but I don't like the idea of having a new pump exposed to the elements. Are there any regulations stating that fuel lines should not enter inside the car? I have mocked up a "very" rough sketch of my proposed internal double pump setup; whereby pumps are located in tandem inside the trunk above the original pump location. (I could simply fix a blanking plate to the rubber pump holder so that a new owner could convert back.) If its deemed possible I would take Dave D.'s advice & include a fuel filter & shut off valve in the setup.

Paul - I'm not sure why your are putting 2 Facet pumps in your car unless that SU pump that is showing is bad (it can be rebuilt). The fule cut off valve is my suggestion, but not the filter. If you are using only the Facet pumps, I believe that they come with a filter. My recommendations on filters is that if you are going to put one in with a SU pump, make sure that it is on the outlet side of the pump. A filter on the inlet side of the pump that gets glogged and stops fuel flow will damage a SU fuel pump. If you are using aftermarket pumps, this doesn't apply.
Cheers,

Dave, I have an interest in reducing weight & like the look of the small Facet pumps which I can acquire rather cheaply. Not knowing the health of the SU pump on a car which I bought for £275 ($564) & since I am going to modifying the existing pipework for the new Facet I thought it prudent to go "the whole hog" & produce a first class setup. On rethinking a this twin pump arrangement I have decided to mount the pumps externally as having exposed fuel line inside the car can never be good. I'll just bend up some simple rectangular cover to keep the grit & grime away from the setup. I'll access the filter sitation once I buy them.

"Chain pull coming up!" >
Is it the case that my twin facet setup would excel yours & you would be jealous? ;-)

Also can I pick your brain on something else? Probably a silly Q, but I've read though my repair manual but there no mention of the 3/16" diameter clear plastic pipe from/to the SU pump. Hope your not going to say its a fuel return pipe. In that case hows does one use this pipe in a singular (or double) Facet setup?

Paul - "Is it the case that my twin facet setup would excel yours & you would be jealous?"

Naw, I like SUs, they quiet down once the float chambers are full rather than chattering on forever (use some sound mounts on the ones you install, it will make for a quieter ride). besides the SU fuel pump provide me with some extra spending money.

"I've read though my repair manual but there no mention of the 3/16" diameter clear plastic pipe from/to the SU pump."

That is a vent for the area behind the diaphragm. It is routed into the boot where the air is dryer and there is no chance to pull water into the interior of the pump.
Cheers,