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MG MGA - SU Fuel pump overhaul query

I picked up a cheap SU fuel pump ($10) at a swap meet recently. I noticed when I dismantled it does no have a suction valve spring, Item 31, Workshop Manual page D.5 nor a condenser (capacitor), Item 30. Did all pumps have these items? Maybe the PO lost them as it has been overhauled at some stage - armature guide rollers replaced with the plastic arrangement, diaphragm in good condition.
Regards
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Mike - Not all the pumps have the suction valve spring. The will run fine without the spring. Neither do all the pumps come with a capacitor. If the pump has a stepped end cap, it is an indiacation that it originally had a capacitor. You might want to contact Tony Oliver in NSW http://users.tpg.com.au/revilo/ who rebuilds the pumps and converts them to solid state for help with your pump. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I have given up on SU fuel pumps on MG's where the pump is not seen. SU's (good in their time but now getting "tired") represent outdated technology. I am now fitting Fuelflo's, made in New Zealand (I think) cheaper than repairing an SU and, to date, totally reliable. They "tick" all of the time but inaudible once the engine starts.
Barry Bahnisch

Going by that logic Barry you should replace the whole outdated car.
gary starr

Gary, You are probably right, its just that in my over 50 years of MG ownership I have been let down on several occasions by fuel pump trouble! MGA's are particularly vulnerable, I have been told that the armature windings are failing because of age. My cars are otherwise completely "standard", its just that reliability is high on my agenda.
Barry Bahnisch

Barry - your comments on fuel pumps seem to contradict those on the other thread on "When is an MG not an MG?". So the outdated B series engine should be ditched for something Japanese that is more reliable. The new SU fuel pumps seem to be reliable - what makes them unreliable is leaving the car stood unused for months on end when the points start to corrode. cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Reliability applies to each car as it is used. An all original car that is driven regularly will be more reliable than the same car when it is only used for good weather or special times. Therefore what makes the seldomly used car more reliable will be different than for a car that is used daily. Everyone wants their car to be as trouble free as possible when in use, be it daily or only on special days. I use an aftermarket fuel pump that works well, even after sitting is the garage all winter. I don't want to have to fuss with something just so I can enjoy driving my car whenever I choose to. My car is used for the enjoyment of driving it, not for judging at shows. That is what is important to me so I do what works for me. Everyone to their own in order to enjoy these cars as they choose to.
Ed Bell

Cam, Well spotted! I dare say its where you draw the line! Reliability has not really been a factor in anything else but fuel pumps (certainly not engines). It is probably a personal thing, but I am not alone, here in South Australia we have a "historical" or "concessional" registration scheme which is very inexpensive as long as the car is certified as being authentic and over 30 years old. Naturally there have been arguments over what authenticity really means and the authorities have allowed a limited number of modifications (which have to be precribed, eg replacing worn-out Jaguar Mk2 gearboxes with modern components-Supra I think). After a "settling-in" period the system has worked well and I understand that there are now at least 1200 cars and motor cycles so registered. Thus for a fairly nominal fee we can use our "hobby" vehicles for 90 days a year.
Barry Bahnisch

In the 25 years of driving my A the only time it stopped was due to one of those bad rotors.Rather than throw out the distributor,I got a better rotor.Same with the pumps.My car has had 2 pumps,one when new and one when I restored it.I think they are fine.
gary starr

This thread was discussed between 21/02/2011 and 22/02/2011

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