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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fuel pumps

Does anyone have any recommendations on a replacement fuel pump. My original 72' midget's SU pump needs a beating more often to get it going. I have a set of replacement points, but I should probably replace the diaphram as well if I'm going to the trouble of taking it off. For a little more I could pick up a solid state and be done with the SU.
CJCharvet

I have a Facet low pressure pump which seems to work fine, but you do need the factory mounting kit as it makes a seriously annoying clicking noise when mounted directly to the body! Also the lower and nearer you can get it to the tank, the better.
Graham P

Thanks Graham.
CJCharvet

Hey CJ,

Im in the same boat....I have to beat om mine like a red headed step child...hopefully I can get some time to clean and re-adjust the points.

Whats MY plan...

Im going to buy an new points pump...not the electronic one ....WHY...if you ever have an electrical fart then the solid state pump is fried, so you got to get a new pump....the points type, you just file and reset the points and your running agian....why not the little napa box pump...the orginal pump is only $20 more and its proven to be a good workhorse, why not rebuild the orginal....cause the the new pump is only 10 dollars more then the points and diaphram kit, and you still got an old worn out pump with just new points and diapram.

prop
Prop

Graham,
Have you got a pressure regulator on your pump? I bought my midget with a facet pump fitted, but no regulator, seems to run fine, just wondering what the general consencous was?
I never thought about putting anti-vibration mounts on it to get rid of the clicking noise, good idea!

Jim
Jim Redmond RWA Midget

Prop, do you think it was the design team at BL that put the fuel pump where it is so you could whack the rear bulkhead with a wrench to get it going again?:) Good point about the new SU vs. solid state.
CJCharvet

Jim,
there are numerous types of facet pumps with differing pressures. The one I have is the SS500, low pressure pump which doesn't need a regulator. Pressure is 2 - 4 psi and flow is 25 US gallons/hour.
They do however insist you have a filter before the pump.
The mounts don't get rid of the click totally, but they certainly mute it!
Graham P

Hey CJ,

I have often wondered why they put the pump where its at....mainly every time I have to crawl under the back wheel and reach up under there with a big ol crestent wrench to bang away at it....

but Im sure the BL team was thinking what is the best way to get someone really greasy and dirty after sunday morning church ....gee lets put the fuel pump right there, so when it goes out in the church parking lot at 12 noon....it will make them look like greasy/dirty homeless idiots trying to steal gas...lol


prop
Prop

My dad saw me getting dirty one day and laughed at me. Try whacking on the bulkhead from inside the car, opposite of where the pump is. This method has worked many times for me, keeping me nice and clean. You just look crazy to those that don't know there's a fuel pump behind there.
CJCharvet

Sorry but I'm a fan of the electronic ones.
They tick like the original when starting up and then occasionally but you're lucky to hear it when you're moving as there's some much other noise going on!
And you don't need to whack them or put all the tubes and breathers back in.

Jeremy
Jeremy 3

Gentlemen - The AUF 214 SU fuel pump used in the Midgets is a very simple pump that is a real work horse that is quite easy to rebuild. That said, you really need to be careful about reassembly and adjustment to get it to operate properly over a long period of time - properly done, the pump should last 75,000 to 100,000 miles or more. If any of you decide to rebuild your old pump, contact me at the e-mail address above and I'll send you an assembly and adjustment procedure. Also if you rebuild your pump, pop for the 5 centering pieces as th eold one is often worn to the point it will allow the armature on the diaphragm to rub against the coil core on each stroke, causing the pump to run erratically. I can restore you pump and convert it to solid state if you don't want to tackle the job yourself, but I won't be available until after the first of October. See the article, SU Fuel Pump Services in the SU Fuel Pump Articles section of my web site at: http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/ There is a lost of other people at the end of the article who can also rebuild your pumps for you, but none of them do a solid state conversion.

On the issue of points style vs all electronic pumps. If you drive your car regularly, the points style pump will give you good service for the above stated times. If, on the other hand, your car is only driven occasionally and is put into hibernation each winter, then you need the all electronic pump. The contacts in a points style pump film over and depend on the current flow through them and the arcing across them to keep the film burned off. If the pump sits, unused for long periods of time, this film builds up to the extent that it will stop the contacts from conducting current and the pump stops working. Sometimes, if the film build up is not terribly thick, a sharp rap with a screwdriver handle (please, don't beat the pump into oblivion with a BFH) will get it going again, but left inactive for a long enough period of time, it will scrubbing the contacts with 400 grit sand paper and solvent to get them clean enough to work. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Nice website David. Thanks.
CJCharvet

Prop, why not replace the fuel pump now before it really leaves you stranded somewhere? Sure saves beating on it and it only serves to show people how "unreliable" our cars are when we have to do that.
Clive Reddin 76 Midget

>>>>>>>Prop, why not replace the fuel pump now before it really leaves you stranded somewhere<<<<<



Its all about the benjermins...or the lack of I should say...LOL

hopefully Ill have some pocket gingle in the next week or so to buy a new one


As to rebuild!!!....The obvious question is "WHY" ???

Theres just no upside advantage that I can see...other then sentimental attachments.. concourse reasons...or your just bored and want to know how a fuel pump actually works,,,,which none apply to me.

By the time you buy the points, diaprham and gaskets and shipping and handleing charges....your only $15-$20 from buying a brand new Su points style fuel pump ready to install....one with ALL the parts (plus the coil..$166) being all brand new. AND you dont have to take it apart reassmble and adjust ... All you have to do is just pull the old one and slap in the New one...2 hoses and an electrical wire ...done

but then thats just my opinion

prop

Prop

Ah, I see Prop. The old "lackacash" syndrome! A common problem for sure!
Clive Reddin 76 Midget

i'm in a different boat. I already have a spare set of points for the pump and I'm considering replacing the diaphram if I'm going to take the thing off anyway. Does anyone know which of the two diaphrams is correct for the AUG 300 for a 1972 midget?
CJCharvet

Hey Cj,

Id ask ...

David DuBois, Bremerton, WA, USA ((ddubois at sinclair dot net))


Hey seems to have an expert grasp on Su pumps based on his above thread....he said it would be okay to contact him....and his email is hidden in his name

prop
Prop

I'm a little embarrased that after an hour and a half of trying to get the points set on my old SU I gave up and installed a facet pump. My SU was in pretty rough shape. David DuBois did have the answer to the diaphram question almost immediately. I will probably replace the Facet with a new SU when the budget opens up a little.
CJCharvet

CJ - I can restore that old pump and convert it to solid state (after the first of Oct. of course) for less than the cost of a new points style pump. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks Dave, I'm set for now but may be calling on you soon. Is there anything i should look for to make sure that it is rebuildable?
CJCharvet

CJ - You have e-mail. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 26/08/2008 and 30/08/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.