John,
Note the phrase I used was "violent AGREEMENT."
Seems everybody agrees on one thing: SU pumps require regular maintenance. I
suspect if the pumps' reliability wasn't an issue then SU wouldn't have added
first capacitors, then diodes and, finally, electronics (to completely replace
the points). Some people may think rebuilding the pump every few thousand miles
is routine, others, like me, think they ought to go longer than that without
maintenance.
I worked on them for years in order to get them to last, without fail, for my
annual 3-4K mile road trip. After servicing, the pump might go 3K miles or it
might go 15K miles. If the pump gave up the ghost in the middle of nowhere or
when passing a logging truck on a windy mountain two-lane it could be
particularly unnerving. If the pump was working well I was loathe to open it
but, in hindsight, maybe I should have. I'm also not convinced filing or
sanding the points is a good idea except in a pinch; better to replace the
points IMO. I always adjusted the diaphragm per the book, and that may have
been part of the problem .
Just because other cars used them is not exactly an endorsement, either;
remember British cars in general--especially older ones--have less than stellar
reputations for reliability (the pumps may be part of it, along with wiring,
etc.).
Since I've replaced my BJ8's ignition points with an Ignitor and the fuel pump
with an SU electronic, my BJ8's drivetrain is nearly as reliable as a modern
car's; and I can concentrate on tasteful upgrades and fixing whatever else
breaks or wears out.
YMMV.
bs
Bob
I think that I am one of the people that you are in violent disagreement
with. Well at least up to a point.
<snip>
Regards
>
>I think we're in violent agreement here. Points are the SU fuel pumps'
>weak knee; if you clean/replace and adjust the points every few
>thousand miles--Norman Nock once told me they did this as routine
>service back in the day--they probably won't fail. But that's hardly
>the epitome of durability and reliability (mechanical pumps, for
>instance, can be expected to last up to the life of an engine).
>
--
John Harper
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