On Mon, 5 Jan 1998 18:26:29 -0800 "Andy Walker" <awtiger(at)ix.netcom.com>
writes:
>this area. So, in y'alls expert opinions, what are the chances that I
>have
>a cam lobe problem where the fuel pump is concerned?
It's possible, you may see if it is grooved by using a mirror view into
the engine with the pump removed.
The comparison between the lifters and the pump lever is not a good
one because although the pressure is higher on the lifters, they are
hardened, and rotate to distribute the force. The pump uses a laminated
steel lever against the cam eccentric, which is usually not flat, and the
laminations tend to be sharp, so the localized pressure tends to be
higher.
The lifters are very well oiled too, but the pump only gets oiled with
splash.
>only has one. Were there varying thicknesses of these spacers? Can I
>try
>the pump without the spacer or will this damage the camshaft and/or
>fuel
>pump arm? Am I even on the right track here?
I dont think there were more than one thickness spacers.
The spacer is made of something like pressed asbestos, and
is used as a thermal insulator to protect the pump from boiling the
gasoline.
If you remove or alter the thickness, the relationship between the
lever and the eccentric will not be correct, and the pump may bind,
or pump even less than it does now.
>3. Upon removing the fuel line from the electric pump, I noticed what
>appeared to be a piece of rolled up paper stuck in the inlet port of
>the
>fuel pump (rolled up like a cigarette). I removed it and I remember
>thinking that this may have been someone's idea of homeade fuel
>pressure
>regulator. I just threw it onto the ground and went about my
>business.
This is the most likely culpret "clogging".
>the fuel line, right under the tail end of the trunk. It is my
>understanding that one of these universal pumps can put out anywhere
>from 4
>to 6 psi, whereas the factory mechanical pump puts out much less. Is
>it
Most fuel generic electric fuel pumps run between 1.5 and 3 PSI,
and the alpine pump should be pretty close to 1.5.
If you have a capacity problem "sounds like you do", you will likely
still
measure 1.5 PSI on the alpine pump, because the gauge will show the
pressure that the pump makes while it is not being consumed.
If you have a restriction "particularly on the tank side", the pumps
diaphragm will not be able to pull fuel from the glogged line into
the pump at higher volumes.
>possible that, if there is a clog in the balance tube or anywhere else
>in
>the fuel system caused by this sealing crap, the mechanical pump is
>not
>strong enough to overcome it, even though the electic pump is able to
>overcome it due to its higher psi output? HELP!!!
The electric probably has a higher pressure output, but since it is much
closer to the tank, and has far less total restriction, it will yield
better
pumping results becuase both types of pumps work better as a pump,
than to draw the fuel from the tank. The pump can generate 1.5 psig
pressure, but cant create a -1.5 psig draw.
This means that a clear suction line is more important than a clear
pressure line.
I think you should test the pumps suction capacity by pulling fuel
in a cup down under the car. If the output of the pump looks better
with the local fuel supply then you need to replace all the fuel lines.
Hope you find the trouble.
Jarrid Gross
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Sep 05 2000 - 10:05:35 CDT