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MG MGB Technical - Fuel Pump Fittings?

Hello All,
After a long wait the old heaps have arrived here in California. The bad news is that the old, mostly-plastic SU-ish fuel pump that was in the MGB had died on the way (I suspect but can't prove that it was left ticking for several days). I have a nice new replacement points-type SU pump, but as many have observed in their own cars my fuel lines have been hacked to all heck (as have the electrical lines, but those I can fix). I see that Moss sells a kit for just this purpose, but it seems a bit pricy for a few banjo unions. My question, to which I cannot find a definite answer in the archives, is: does this pump accept a fuel fitting that I'll be able to find anywhere?

In the meantime I'm driving around town in the fiancee's Fiat 600 (oh the shame, 68mph top speed!)

Thanks,
Adam
Adam Birnbaum

Adam, from memory you have to use the banjos as the pump body is designed for delivery from the annulus around the fitting and not the end. These aren't cheap either.
Iain MacKintosh

Adam - Leaving a pump running continually shoud not bother it. When I test a pump, I leave it running for a minimum of 24 hours. What will do in a SU type pump (including the plastic bodied pumps from New Zealand) is for the pump to stall in a current on condition, such as when the line from the tank to the fuel pump is clogged. Left on in this condition will overheat the pump and burn out the internal swamping resistor. I would suggest checking to see that there is no clog either in the line or in the tank itself before installing the new pump. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

David: it was an old pump, and it's just possible that this was the last straw. I change the fuel filter on a regular basis and don't use cheap-o gasoline, so I think the line should be clear. I'll plumb it anyway just to make sure.

Ian: do you know offhand what size these banjos need to be? Are they British standard sizes, or will NPT threaded parts fit?

Thanks,
Adam
Adam Birnbaum

Adam, the Fiat was supposed to be the one to break. I owned a 68 beater Fiat 600 in 1961, after repairing the master cylinder it was a fun car around town. I was living in Chicago at the time and had to dodge the big tail fin US cars on Lake Shore Drive. Keeping out of their way was a challenge.

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Clifton,
I'm lucky that we're in Palo Alto now instead of NYC. It wouldn't be fun to drive in stop-and-go with no synchro on 1st and a screaming 32hp to work with. Since the top speed around here is only 40mph I can keep up as long as I drive the thing like a sports car. When we bought it we had to repair the fan surround rubber, the front brake cylinders, generator, and we're still waiting on the new head gasket (has to wait until I get the B running!), several of the lights, and all new suspension rubber parts. Yeah, it's not bad for running around town, but I'm scared to take it on trips more than a couple of miles away!

Adam
Adam Birnbaum

Adam - If the pump is the AUF 300/AZX 1300 series, then the banjo bolt is 3/8 British Standard Pipe (straight thread, not tapered). If it is a early MGB (66 or older) the fittings are not the banjo types but are a 1/4 BSP compression fitting. You can determine which type you have, either by the part number on it or by going to my article on SU fuel pumps at: http://www.custompistols.com/cars/articles/dd_su_fuel_pumps_101.htm
and comparing the pictures with what you have. I will check to see what I have available of either type of fitting that I could sell to you at used prices. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

It is from the AZX series, so I guess we're looking at 3/8 BSP. By coincidence there is a a supplier of parts for British Seagull marine engines within 2 blocks of a meeting that I'm attending tomorrow, so I'm going to drop by and see if they can supply the appropriate union, but please do take a look David and let me know.

Thanks,
Adam
Adam Birnbaum

Adam - If you just need the banjo bolts, they are available from Moss or Victoria British for around $5.00 each. If you also need the banjo fittings, then it get pricy - around $13 or $14 each, plus the bolts. I have two used bolts that I will sell you for $5.00 plus shipping. If you are interested, send my your zip code and I'll let you know what it is with shipping. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 01/08/2005 and 04/08/2005

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.