Agreed.
A problem with a 30 year old pump besides 30 years of points wear is the
amount of rust that has formed on the bar or rod that moves the diaphragm.
This often causes the whole thing to seize up. If the points are OK but you
still have a problem with slow or non movement, do the unthinkable, mark the
location of the diaphragm in relation to the body then break the diaphragm
seal and separate it from the bar and clean the rust away. Re-assembly is
the reversal of dis-assembly, taking care that YOU MAKE SURE THE ROD IS
REPLACED AND FASTENED TO THE SAME LENGTH. (Sorry for shouting but it is
important.) I have never used any sealants on the diaphragms when replacing
but I have always ensured they go back in the same position they were in
relation to the pump body.
I am aware this is heresy for a lot of people but is has meant many elderly
(50 year old) Land Rovers (as opposed to 30 year old Spridgets!) have
retained their original (Lucas) equipment. The first pump I did this to
some 25 years ago is still working and hasn't been touched since. The
crumbling wiring is a different matter but I don't think Lord Lucas can be
blamed for that even though you feel like it when trying to smoke him out.
If the vehicle is otherwise modified or used other than on public roads then
fine, use whatever bits you need to. The original pump was used on a road
car not a single figure mileage car. (Smiles) Emptying the carbs and
spluttering at high revs is a little annoying! (Grrrrrr!)
Guy R Day
A-H Sprite Mk IV
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bud Osbourne" <abcoz@hky.com>
To: "'Matthew Boatman'" <matt4328@yahoo.com>; <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 11:56 AM
Subject: RE: Universal Fuel Pump...
> Matt,
> Please don't take this personally, but, I feel a rant coming on, and I
> just can't help myself:
> Sure, go ahead and replace the correct, original part, which is STILL
> AVAILABLE, TODAY, FOR A REASONABLE PRICE, with a universal, chink-built
> replacement. Then, in a few more years, when our vendors no longer
> stock the OE type parts for our Spridgets, whine about the lack of good
> quality, OE type parts for a restoration.
> IF you keep electrical contacts clean and tight, an original SU fuel
> pump is about as reliable as any other electric pump, and will last for
> DECADES. But, since so many Brit car owners have yet to grasp this
> simple fact, SU fuel pumps, and numerous other good, reliable Lucas
> electrical components continue to get a bad rap.
> Look, guys: We, in the Brit car hobby/culture, are blessed with the
> availability of an abundance of good, OEM, or OE spec/quality
> replacement parts that owners of other brands of classics would KILL to
> have available. But, if we replace OE parts with cheap, generic
> replacements, we will kill the incentive for our vendors to stock good
> quality, OE type spares. If the vendors won't stock them, the
> manufacturers will have no incentive to produce them. Eventually, like
> a cancer, the OE parts will be replaced with nothing but chink junk.
> The few remaining OE parts will, therefore, become so pricey that few of
> us can afford them, assuming we can still find them.
> My feeling is that we all have an obligation to INSIST on the best
> quality, OE type spares for our Spridgets, which will encourage the
> vendors to stock the best stuff, so that when the next guy needs the
> part, it is available to him.
> Bud Osbourne
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