Goat Soup Garage- Nearly Everyone Who Owns A Collectable Or Classic Car Has This Problem
Nearly everyone who owns a collectable or classic car that sits for weeks/months between drives has this problem: you have to crank
and crank the engine before the fuel pump gets the gas to the carburetor. Sometimes this can lead to overheating of the starter motor and/or battery rundown. It's not the best of situations, to say the least.
Another problem is fuel pump failure. Mechanical fuel pumps have diaphragms that can leak or fail outright; leaving the vehicle stranded indefinitely... unless you keep a spare pump or rebuild kit handy. Not the best situation to be in when you're out crusin' the town.
Here's an idea for ya! Try installing universal electric fuel pumps in parallel with the stock mechanical pumps. These pumps sell for about $25-$30 and can be mounted practically anywhere in the engine bay. Fittings ("T") and hose clamps are quite inexpensive and available anywhere too. All that's needed in addition to these are some fuel hose and a toggle switch and wire.
Now, how to set it up: because most fuel pumps have one-way valves that prevent drawing fuel in from above, a "T" fitting must be installed in the fuel line that leads to the mechanical pump inlet. This fitting will feed the auxiliary electric pump through a piece of fuel hose. The fuel hose will also lead from the output of the electric pump to another "T" fitting installed in the fuel line to
the carburetor.
When your pump and fuel line is installed, you will install toggle switches on or under the dashboard of your car to operate the auxiliary (the electric) fuel pump. These switches get power from any available voltage source and
go to the electric pump input power lead. Whenever you "cold start" your car you simply turn on the ignition and the electric pump, leaving it on long enough to get fuel to the carburetor. Once you know fuel is present you turn it off, set the choke and start right up, avoiding the endless cranking. The engine then
runs on its mechanical fuel pump.
Additionally, in the event of a mechanical pump failure during a drive, the electric pump is already in place and "plumbed in" for action. Simply turn it on and you're back in business! Never be left stranded and embarrassed due to a fuel pump failure!!
There you have it. Two major problems are solved with one inexpensive accessory. Don't forget to check out our Goat Soup DVD Series for more time-saving tips and simple step-by-step instruction on how-to restore your classic car or hot rod. You'll be glad you did!
Until next time... Hope to see ya crusin'
Allen Frasier, Goat Soup
and crank the engine before the fuel pump gets the gas to the carburetor. Sometimes this can lead to overheating of the starter motor and/or battery rundown. It's not the best of situations, to say the least.
Another problem is fuel pump failure. Mechanical fuel pumps have diaphragms that can leak or fail outright; leaving the vehicle stranded indefinitely... unless you keep a spare pump or rebuild kit handy. Not the best situation to be in when you're out crusin' the town.
Here's an idea for ya! Try installing universal electric fuel pumps in parallel with the stock mechanical pumps. These pumps sell for about $25-$30 and can be mounted practically anywhere in the engine bay. Fittings ("T") and hose clamps are quite inexpensive and available anywhere too. All that's needed in addition to these are some fuel hose and a toggle switch and wire.
Now, how to set it up: because most fuel pumps have one-way valves that prevent drawing fuel in from above, a "T" fitting must be installed in the fuel line that leads to the mechanical pump inlet. This fitting will feed the auxiliary electric pump through a piece of fuel hose. The fuel hose will also lead from the output of the electric pump to another "T" fitting installed in the fuel line to
the carburetor.
When your pump and fuel line is installed, you will install toggle switches on or under the dashboard of your car to operate the auxiliary (the electric) fuel pump. These switches get power from any available voltage source and
go to the electric pump input power lead. Whenever you "cold start" your car you simply turn on the ignition and the electric pump, leaving it on long enough to get fuel to the carburetor. Once you know fuel is present you turn it off, set the choke and start right up, avoiding the endless cranking. The engine then
runs on its mechanical fuel pump.
Additionally, in the event of a mechanical pump failure during a drive, the electric pump is already in place and "plumbed in" for action. Simply turn it on and you're back in business! Never be left stranded and embarrassed due to a fuel pump failure!!
There you have it. Two major problems are solved with one inexpensive accessory. Don't forget to check out our Goat Soup DVD Series for more time-saving tips and simple step-by-step instruction on how-to restore your classic car or hot rod. You'll be glad you did!
Until next time... Hope to see ya crusin'
Allen Frasier, Goat Soup
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