fuel pump removal

[sanborn]

A friend wants to remove his mechanical fuel pump and use an electric pump. The engine is a 59AB.

My question is: Does anything need to be done to plug the fuel pump pushrod opening in the block?

I know on a 8BA the bushing has a oiling hole in it. Is the 59AB the same?

 

[19Fordy]

Type "Fuel Pump Rod Bushing" in the search box and a lot of info. will appear.

 

[flatjack9]

The 59AB does not have the oil hole.

 

[JWL]

It is true there should not be any hole in the 59A fuel pump rod bushing. However, there can be allot of oil thrown off the eccentric and up toward the breather. I always put a tapered plug in the bushing to prevent that from becoming a problem. However, if all the stock baffle system is in place I doubt that any problem would exist.

 

[oldford2]

If he is your "friend", advise him to put a good mechanical pump on. Then if he wants a "backup" he can install an electric pump also. No back up if the electric fails and without a regulator it might have too much pressure.

JMhumbleO


John

 

[JSeery]

I made a small plug for mine. It is a tight press fit. I also added a hole in the top for a safety wire, it may not be needed, but just added it while I was at it.

 

[tubman]

If he is your "friend", advise him to put a good mechanical pump on. Then if he wants a "backup" he can install an electric pump also. No back up if the electric fails and without a regulator it might have too much pressure.

JMhumbleO


John

I'm with John. I had an electric pump on mine for years and had to replace it several times. I decided to take a good look at the problem, and found that most stock pumps can develop a slight leak at the mating surface of the sediment bowl. I ended up facing the sediment bowl on my surface plate using w/d sand paper and replacing the neoprene gasket with a cork one (why this helps is a mystery to me). This solved all of my problems, and I ended up completely removing the electric pump about a year later and never looked back.

 

[JSeery]

Electric pumps can be a problem, I have had no end of problems with some of them. But, almost all modern cars use electric pumps, so I think the real issue is the quality of the pumps and the quality of the installation. Some times you almost have to use the electrics.

 

[39topless]

Type "Fuel Pump Rod Bushing" in the search box and a lot of info. will appear.

Good advice. It is my understanding that the push rod and oil breather cap should remain in place. Just need to plug the fuel pump hole. These are available from C & A etc.

 

[Marvin/TN]

But most modern elect pumps are in the gas tank so they stay cool and not over heat.

 

[tiger.1000]

Curiously most older cars with electric pumps had them mounted almost anywhere EXCEPT in the fuel tank. They soldiered on for decades ?

 

[Drbrown]

My '47 has had an electric pump as a back-up for about 15 years. Have not yet used or needed it full-time. With a toggle switch I run the electric pump for about five to ten seconds before starting the engine. I maybe lucky so-far but it starts every time hot or cold weather ( unless I forget to pull out the choke ).

 

[Karl Wolf]

I've run the same mechanical pump for almost ten years... And, it was used when I got it.

A 7/16" valve guide will fit, light press, in place of the fuel pump bushing. I have done that, threaded for a 5/16" 18 set screw. -Before I decided to run the mechanical pump. I pulled out my set screw and used the threads I put in the guide to put a bolt in to pull it out...

What I'm saying is don't cut pipe threads in the block, that's not reversible.

Karl