[Healeys] Fuel pump

[Michael Salter]

One thing about the SU type of fuel pump which is often misunderstood is what happens to the pump in the event that the inlet becomes blocked. In that situation the low pressure on the inlet side of the diaphragm prevents the armature from rising and the points from opening.  This means that current continues to pass through the coil until sufficient fuel passes into the pump through the blockage to allow the diaphragm to rise and the points to open. This causes the coil to overheat and become weakened.
If you are trying to rebuild a pump and the "tick, tick" seems rather anemic it is likely that a damaged and weakened coil is very the cause.
Hopefully this will save people from wasting time in this situation.

M


________________________________
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Al Fuller via Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:58:09 PM
To: Jean Caron <vintage_roadster_restoration at hotmail.com>
Cc: healeys <Healeys at autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Fuel pump

Pulling out the pump and checking on the bench might be in order.

As to the weather, it's just getting to be driving season here in the desert. :)

________________
Sent from my phone
Best Regards,
Al Fuller

On Tue, Feb 3, 2026, 3:23 PM Jean Caron <vintage_roadster_restoration at hotmail.com<mailto:vintage_roadster_restoration at hotmail.com>> wrote:
It is February, take it out and rebuild it.

Jean

Sent from my Bell Samsung device over Canada’s largest network.
________________________________
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net<mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net>> on behalf of Fred Wescoe <fredwescoe at gmail.com<mailto:fredwescoe at gmail.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 4:02:17 PM
To: healeys <Healeys at autox.team.net<mailto:Healeys at autox.team.net>>
Subject: [Healeys] Fuel pump

Listers,

I have the standard SU fuel pump on my 66 BJ8.  It was rebuilt several years ago and the car ran with the pump with no problems.

The car has been sitting for about 8 months now and the pump will not run.

I have tried smacking the pump with a rubber hammer but no joy.  Is there another way to get the pump started without removing it and opening it up?

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Fred

66 BJ8
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