Fuel pump Q

[Postie Bob]

For some reason I seem to loose fuel in the system when my beddy is sitting around for a few days.
I have to crank it over quite a bit to get fuel up to the carb. Maybe the pump needs a rebuild or something .
My Q is.. can I fit an electric fuel pump in the  line between tank and carb ?  I have the old standard carby on my 186 so would an electric pump put out too much pressure for the float ? What do other folk use if it`s do-able ?
PS....  there was a message on the forum a few days back regarding some bits for sale . Buggered if I can find it  .
Someone had some dashes, etc for sale . The printed circuit in mine is damaged ( shorted out where the oil light holder fits in ) so am after another.
Also in need of a better steering wheel ( mine has been in the sun too long ) .
Could whoever posted that message get back to me please ?
Cheers, Bob.

[Bas / NZ]

I had a elec pump on mine with a standard carb, seemed to be ok, but done before we got it so not sure of the details, but don't forget to put a  plate  over the pump hole in the block  , I guess you can get different pressure / vol pumps, so I can't see there is a problem, but a new pump are not that much to buy, here anyway.

[Sammy]

yeah should work fine, usually the low pressure carby type ones are 3-5psi .... holley make ones with built in regulator, and theres cheaper ones like $50 off ebay too.

i'm pretty sure the stock pumps have a one way valve in them so it might just need a rebuild kit.

[rumax]

And when you fit it, don't forget that electric pumps don't like sucking up, so keep it low in the fuel line.

[BeerBeddy]

Hey Bob, other than my Beddy, I have some very old cars I have restored. I don't get to drive them very much at the moment and I have a similar problem with the fuel either bleeding back or evaporating. I have fixed the problem by leaving the mechanical pump in place but putting a low pressure electric pump between the mechanical pump and the fuel tank. When I go to start the cars, I flick the electric pump on, wait a moment, and then hit the starter. This primes the mechanical pump and the carby and it fires up first go every time. When it has started I flick the switch off and let the mechanical pump do its thing.

Not sure about the electric pumps not liking to suck, never had any problems. Might be because I have mounted the pump at the tank.

Good luck

Beerbeddy

[Sammy]

yeah it all depends on the location of the pump, further away from the tank they are the less they will like to suck, some pumps have specs on that sort of stuff, but generally try and get it as close and as low as you can and if nothing else you'll help the longevity of the pump.

[Postie Bob]

Ta for the replies fella`s.
I,m waiting on a new radiator so will try and revive my old pump in the meantime.
I recon I`ll bung an electronic one in the line also , sounds like a good idea .
While on the fuel subject.... just how important is the little vent thing on top of the carb bowl?
I think mine has the wrong one fitted `cos the vent is closed all the time .  She still idles & runs good though .
Cheers, Bob.

[BeerBeddy]

The vent is extremely important. It allows atmospheric pressure to act on the fuel and forces the fuel into the venturi where the pressure is lower. It is this pressure differential that causes the fuel to enter the air stream.

Also important to note is that later carbies had the air vent relocated to the intake of the carb just below the air cleaner and then later again it was relocated to a port that went to a charcol canister. This was to meet ADR27A emission requirements. The old vent system allowed fuel vapour to escape to atmosphere when the engine was stopped. The new system held on to the vapours until the engine started and then they were drawn back into the carby and burned.

A bit more information that you probably needed or wanted but if yours is running fine, don't worry about it. It's allowing atmospheric air pressure in to do its job. Just go drive the bugger!

Beerbeddy