1949 Mercury Fuel Pump

1

1962300

Senior Member
Hello,

Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump?

Thanks!
 
1962300 said:
Hello,

Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Send that pump to "Charlie ny", one of our long-time menbers here on the 'Barn. Charlie uses materials for the diaphragm and wherever necessary that are resistant to the bum fuel. You will be happy. Click the link BELOW for Charlie's contact info! DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1958456&postcount=465


323786



.
 
In my experience, many times the cork gasket at the top of the glass bowl has dried out and cracked thus allowing the pump to suck air and not gas. If the cork gasket is cracked, you might be able to buy a new one at NAPA. If unable to buy a new one, you will need to cut one from a sheet of cork material. Once you have a replacement, coat both sides with vaseline then re-assemble. The pump should now suck gas, not air. If your cork gasket is still intact, then the problem may be the diaphragm.
 
If you have Charlie rebuild it, the pump will be better than any new one today.
Plus, it will still be made in the USA.
 
Last edited:
rsellers said:
If the cork gasket is cracked, you might be able to buy a new one at NAPA. If unable to buy a new one, you will need to cut one from a sheet of cork material. .
Click to expand...

The glass bowls for fuel pumps and tank outlets on tractors seem pretty standard sized and available a lot of places. Simple enough to measure. I'd bet the John Deere dealer could sell you one that also fits a JD tractor.
 
1962300 said:
Hello,

Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hopefully it is just a dried up bowl gasket allowing it to draw air and not gas. Mine sat for decades without running and still pumps gas just fine. As far as I know it is the same pump that was on the Merc when my dad parked it in 1969. I did eventually have to replace the cork gasket on the sediment bowl.
 
I use a neoprene gasket on the fuel bowl - same size as the gasket on a Massey Harris 44.
Neoprene is more resilient than cork and the neoprene can be reused.
 
I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I (and others) have found cork gaskets to be superior.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top