The MGA With An Attitude
AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP -- FP-201
FP-201 is a quick course for installation of an aftermarket fuel pump for emergency use (or permanent use).
Aftermarket fuel pump.
I find this little jewel to be a wonderful substitute for the original fuel pump on my MG. Without the end fittings it will just about fit in your pocket, so it's easy to pack as a spare part for a road trip. Two pigtail lead wires allows choice of polarity. Female threaded pipe ports on the ends allows choice of connection fittings. Parts supplied with the pump usually include a large "P" shaped band clamp to mount it with one bolt, the small inlet filter shown (but not the elbow fittings), a pair of 5/16" hose barbs, a couple short pieces of 5/16" hose, four hose clamps, and a couple of crimp type wire butt connectors. It is electronic construction with just one moving part and a pair of check valves. In operation it runs (oscillates) continuously, and when the pressure comes up it goes from quiet to quieter. You have to listen carefully to hear it when you turn the ignition on. It is nearly inaudible with the pressure up even before you start your engine.
Depending on where you want to mount this in your car, you will likely need a couple feet of 5/16" fuel hose and a small tubing cutter. You remove the original fuel pump, cut the flared end fittings off the steel fuel lines as required, mount the new pump with one bolt, usually at the original pump mounting location, plumb it in with hoses and clamps, connect one wire to the original power wire in your car and the other lead to ground. Note, if you connect it with the wrong polarity it will run (audibly) but it will not pump.
For my own use I have decided to make it a permanent installation. The first one cost $27 in 1989 and ran faithfully for 85,000 miles without incident. When it did give out it had a fairly friendly mode of failure with plenty of warning, just had a gradual loss of pressure over several hundred miles of travel. As such, the first sign of a problem was when pulling a long uphill grade at speed while towing the trailer, and the engine started to sputter, but it settled down okay if held down to 60 mph. As time and mileage progressed it got to the point of nagging me on most any upgrade at 60 mph, and when I continued to ignore it the thing gradually slowed my progress until I had trouble keeping up with traffic, at which point I got ticked off and pulled over at my next convenience to change it. If it has to eventually fail, that's a nice way to go, so it doesn't leave you stranded.
For my MGA I installed it in the same location as the original fuel pump, right next to the battery carrier near the right rear wheel. If you were a bit of a contortionist you might be able to accomplish this through the battery cover opening without removing the wheel. As the instructions note, the prefered orientation is somewhere between level and with the outlet end up, but not with the outlet down. I think it has free floating gravity assisted check valves, and a friend tells me from experience that it definitely does not work upside down. As a matter of space and convenience for routing the hoses I added the two brass elbows shown in the picture. The first time I had to replace this unit I also installed the rubber harness connector shown. Now the R&R is about a 5 minute job, just pinch two hose clamps to remove the hoses, unplug the connector, loosen the mounting bolt and lift the pump from the mounting clamp. Installation of the new unit is the reverse of removal.
You can find fuel pumps like this with identical physical form but with very different pressure ratings. There is a low pressure unit good for our LBCs rated at 2.5-4.5 PSI and 30 GPH free flow. This is commonly touted as being "for imported cars". The next step up is 4-7 PSI and 35 GPH, commonly noted as "for American cars". If you get this unit you will likely need to install a pressure regulator along with it to satisfy the low pressure spec's of our LBC carburetors and avoid flooding and/or overflow of the float bowls. One to really avoid is the unit with 40 PSI output intended for use with fuel injection systems. These are available from a lot of different sources, like almost any auto parts store, but you have to pay attention to the part numbers and pressure ratings. I have so far run across the following sources, spec's and numbers:
NAPA P24097, Carter E8016S, 2.5-4.5 psi.
This is the one that ran 85,000 miles for me,
changed out June 1997
No longer listed in the NAPA system.
NAPA P74021, E8016S, 12v, 3.5-5.2 psi
Current stock 9/17/01 $61.99
Counter man says he thinks it's made by Bendix.
NAPA P74029, AC EP42S 6442339, 12v, 3.8-5.7 psi, 16.8 gph @ 2.3 psi
actually measuring in the 2-3 psi range on the car.
This one is still in service after 105,000 miles. Nov-07
This causes me to think the output pressure declines with age.
J.C.Whitney 81--6652U, 4-7 psi, 35 gph free flow.
This used to be listed under Marine parts (and more expensive), but I don't see this listing any more.
J.C.Whitney 74--9422Y, 4-7 psi, 35 gph free flow
Current catalog listing at $49.98 with price increase July 2001.
This is in the picture above with tag "E8012S". I accidentally ordered the wrong part number here (a few years ago), so this one will need a pressure regulator. This is also the one that came packaged with the small metal in-line filter you see in the picture (but not the elbows).
J.C.Whitney 74--9423W, 2.5-4.5 psi, 30 gph free flow
Catalog listing at $49.98 with price increase July 2001.
This one should be labeled "E8016S" and is good for use without a pressure regulator. This is the one you would prefer to buy for your LBC.
AIRTEX model E8016S. 2.5-4.5 psi. - 60 gph. - $30.99 from AutoZone (8/28/03 report from Chuck Jackson)
.... made in Mexico and carries the label MASTER M of Fairfield, Il.
The company that actually "sells" these MASTER M products is Airtex.
AIRTEX EP1816S or EP8016SP. - My most recent purchase from TRAK Auto Parts (shortly before they closed shop). I would guess the "P" in the part number represends "Pipe" thread ports. Label on the part is "EP8016SP". Printed on the box was "EP8016S". Same spec as the others, 2.5-4.5 psi. Filter was not included with this one.
KEM No. EFP19, also labeled E8016S made in Canada,
3.5-5.5 PSI , purchased at Trak Auto 9/17/01 $36.99
Also available from Little British Car Company
2.5-4.5 psi, listed at $47.50 9/17/01
AC Delco EP42S. Found this catalog listing, but have not yet verified it to be the same as the others.
I also have reports of this type of fuel pump being purchased at Pep Boys and Forest City. As you can see, they come from many retailers under different brand names, but as they all seem to bear the same base model number labels on the part itself, so I suspect they all come from the same manufacturer. The important point is that they can be purchased just about anywhere.
Just for reference I have included below a copy of the installation instructions included with the pump. Use common sense in reference to positive or negative earth, tube cutting, fuel injection, fuses, oil pressure cut-off switch, or other notes intended for newer cars.
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