Electric fuel pump for a 1932 model B

oldford

Senior Member
I'm tired of working on the original mechanical fuel pump. It works great on the bench testing it but on the car does not work. Has anyone installed an electric fuel pump on a 1932 four cylinder car. I think they work OK because I saw a car for sale that had one on it. Would like to know how it worked and what make and model did you use, thanks.
 
If it worked on the bench but not your car, that indicated a problem with the car, not the pump. Not being sarcastic, please understand, you may have pinholes in your supply line, or perhaps a collapsed flex line, or a loose connection. Any one of those or a combination of issues. Give it a try on the car, with a line coming directly from a can of gas. An electric pump may also give you similar problems if those issues on the car remain unfixed.
 
If it worked on the bench but not your car, that indicated a problem with the car, not the pump. Not being sarcastic, please understand, you may have pinholes in your supply line, or perhaps a collapsed flex line, or a loose connection. Any one of those or a combination of issues. Give it a try on the car, with a line coming directly from a can of gas. An electric pump may also give you similar problems if those issues on the car remain unfixed.

I agree with this advice.
You don't need to add an electric pump. You need to diagnose the issue.
 
TomT, (post #3) has the right idea. You stated you have a 4 banger, but his thinking is relevant.
Are you sure the pushrod is installed correctly on the pump? With the pump out, can you turn the engine over and watch the pushrod to make sure it is moving up and down?
 
I rebuilt the fuel pump on my Model B engined Model A with a kit and help from Renner's Corner. Pump has worked fine for over 3 years since rebuild.


https://www.rennerscorner.com/parts--kits.html

I've try all above and nothing has worked. This is a 4 cylinder 32 engine. I'm going to start from scratch and put a new kit in pump. What I would like to replace are the 2 small hex shape disc for in and out suction. Looking at renner's 4 cyl kit he does not show the hex shape pieces. I will call Monday and see if he has them in another kit not shown.
 
I've try all above and nothing has worked. This is a 4 cylinder 32 engine. I'm going to start from scratch and put a new kit in pump. What I would like to replace are the 2 small hex shape disc for in and out suction. Looking at renner's 4 cyl kit he does not show the hex shape pieces. I will call Monday and see if he has them in another kit not shown.

Did the engine run prior to this presumed fuel issue?
 
Did the engine run prior to this presumed fuel issue?

Yes it did and very well. It's almost like the lobe on the cam that pushes the pump is worn out but i checked it when I drop the oil pan and it's in good shape. I even stuck my finger up in the opening where the fuel pump would be placed and i can feel the off set lobe when i crank the engine.
 
Yes it did and very well. It's almost like the lobe on the cam that pushes the pump is worn out but i checked it when I drop the oil pan and it's in good shape. I even stuck my finger up in the opening where the fuel pump would be placed and i can feel the off set lobe when i crank the engine.
I tend to diagnose issues systematically.
If it ran well, the cam lobe is not the issue. Lobes wear out over a long(ish) period of time.
And again, if it ran well, most likely not an issue in the line(s). However, it can be a line issue. The flex line is typically the first to go "south". Do what was suggested in an earlier thread. That is, install your pump and run a short rubber fuel line from the inlet to a jar of fuel in the close proximity.
If that doesn't work (pick up the fuel properly) then back to the pump. If the pump does in fact pick up the fuel properly, then swap out the flex hose.


My advice? Spend a few bucks, send it to Charlie Schwendler in NY. Get it back promptly for a reasonable fee and be 100% certain the pump is operating as it should. Charlie tests runs every pump prior to its return.

There can be more to rebuilding a pump than simply swapping parts.
 
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