Mechanical Fuel Pumps

[solidaxel]

I am going to ask here first as it has the largest viewing.

I am looking for a mech. fuel pump that will will withstand the new formulated fuels, and the cause and effect, with the rubber in the mechanical fuel pumps
This is on one of my vehicles (65 Corvette) that does not see many road miles,
I have replaced 2 pumps (different brands) in the last 4 years because the rubber is not standing up to the fuels
Is there a rebuild kit that has a good diaphram(sp) material?

Thanks All

[nicklear36]

I got mine for my C10 at NAPA and it has held up well.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

This is on one of my vehicles (65 Corvette) that does not see many road miles

Maybe the extended periods of non-use are contributing to the problem? My K20 has a pump from NAPA that is many years old and still working fine. For about the past 8 years it sits for weeks at a stretch but it hasn't hurt the fuel pump.

Wish I had your '65. I have owned a '65 roadster (327/365) and a '66 air coupe (327/350) and they are are great drivers. Always figured to buy another but they got too spendy....

[Mike C]

I just buy Carter branded pumps anymore, and they seem to hold up pretty well.

[solidaxel]

Thanks for the info, I will check with NAPA

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by Mike C

I just buy Carter branded pumps anymore, and they seem to hold up pretty well.

Me too. I have never had a problem with any of the Carter mechanical fuel pumps I have used over the last 30 years.

Gary

[solidaxel]

Have you owned the Carter pump for 30 years with todays fuel?

[Mike C]

My Jimmy's carter pump has been on since the turn of the millenium, so not 30 years but more than half that.

My Camaro has one that is that age as well. And I just bought another for my short step when it gets the big block swap. And even the strip pump is less than $75 last I checked so hard to go wrong with that.

[Stocker]

I had to check my records. I installed the NAPA fuel pump on my K20 in October 1991. Right at 25 1/2 years ago, and still getting the job done.

[Mike C]

Seems like the rubber parts that ALL manufacturers are using aren't to the same standard they used to be. Even more so than the fuel.

[Crabass]

I'm surprised that there's been no suggestion of using non-ethanol gasoline for the vintage vehicles (it's still available). That and the recommended dose of stabilizing additive has worked great for me. A little more trouble and expense, but so worth it, IMHO. Think about it, that moisture-loving E10 is working nasty things on more than just the fuel pump.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I had to check my records. I installed the NAPA fuel pump on my K20 in October 1991. Right at 25 1/2 years ago, and still getting the job done.

Close enough, are you still driving your 4 wheeler?

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Close enough, are you still driving your 4 wheeler?

You bet. Not every day, and it usually sits a lot more than it is driven. But if it sits much more than a couple weeks, I make it a point to put a few miles or so on it.

Lately we've been restocking the woodshed, and we've all been getting a pretty good workout. The truck, myself, and the missus too.

[James the III]

It is the sitting that does them in..
Just like the first drive after a vehicle is parked and the tires thumping for a few.. the pump diaphragm takes a "set" and that needs to be worked out of it.. only it doesn't have many layers to keep it together while it works this "set" out and the diaphragm gets a crack, then it gets bigger, until it fails..
The ethanol fuel should not be an issue here, as the chevy pumps from the late 80's on, were made for use with it.. and unless you are getting very old stock.. should not be the issue..
None of this stuff was ever designed for being parked,, it was for being used..
And why we have issues/failures in diaphragms in carbs/ pumps/etc..
The anti drain back valves don't help as they keep the fuel and psi in the line from pump to needle/seat.. pushing on the diaphragm even while it's parked..
This is also why many "brand" vehicles that the factory know sit more than are used. have huge service cost, at the service intervals, that are based on miles And/or age..

[In The Ten Ring]

I could be wrong and maybe I am just lucky, but I think a lot of this ethanol-mix fear is hype. My lawn mower gets parked outside under a tarp each winter with 10% ethanol mix in its tank, lines, and carb. I take no preparation for winterizing at all. So far (and I have been doing this since 2005) if the battery is charged up, it starts right up without any problems and runs fine.

I'll try and mow today in fact. Wish me luck!

[James the III]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I could be wrong and maybe I am just lucky, but I think a lot of this ethanol-mix fear is hype. My lawn mower gets parked outside under a tarp each winter with 10% ethanol mix in its tank, lines, and carb. I take no preparation for winterizing at all. So far (and I have been doing this since 2005) if the battery is charged up, it starts right up without any problems and runs fine.

I'll try and mow today in fact. Wish me luck!

You got lucky..
Real lucky..

One must remember that carb's are not a closed system.. There is a vent.. and many remove the charcoal can. so the vent for the tank and carb are open to the air.. , many older vehicles it always have been..
Problem is ethanol, sucks water out of the air. so now you have a tank with water in it, sitting, a carb with water in it sitting..
I plug my carb vent when it'll be parked for more than a day or 2..
Tank I'll be adding a charcoal set up. and canning the vented set up..

Lawn tools. the fuel lines in weedwhackers, chainsaws/etc the lines break down, the prime button breaks down.. the water in the el-cheapo carbs, makes a mess.
Even my mower the fuel line only lasted 2 years.. until I put automotive line on it.
Last run of the season I run it with oil in the fuel, as it coats the carb casing cheap alum.. from water in the fuel and run it out,, an when it starts to start to run out of fuel .I fog the unit with oil.. so the cyl is got extra protection.
Cleaning the plug is easy..
I get a first pull start every year..

you got really lucky..
Be glad you don't have a boat that had a plastic/glass tank as it ate them and a tow back to the dock is $$$$$$$$$$..

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Have you owned the Carter pump for 30 years with todays fuel?

The oldest one I currently have still in service has been 14 years, and another on my Dad's C10 that was installed in 1989... Still tickin'...

Gary

[jocko]

Have had two old pumps work great on two different trucks UNTIL I parked them. Then both went bad in about 6 months. . It' not the brand of pump or the ethanol content (and the non-ethanol type is NOT available everywhere) it's whether they sit around and dry out. That doesn't mean that it will happen, it just means you increase your chances of it happening if you park it for awhile, regardless of pump type or fuel. A couple data points on a given mfgr of pump doesn't mean it won't fail when allowed to dry up.