1957 Fuel pump port purposes

[TbirdFan76]

While tuning the carburetor for cold idle I noticed gas was being expelled from 2 holes in the lower section of the fuel pump. The lower portion was fairly wet with gasoline.

I also noticed an open port on the lower section right hand side. At first I thought the fuel line had com loose from that port but then today realized that isn't the case. The fuel line is firmly connected to the bottom port. Should this port be open as it is or is there something missing? This setup is how the car came to me so I have done nothing to the fuel pump.

Text next to the 2 smaller holes is an error, it should say 2 holes.

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[sre]

If fuel is coming out there the diaphragm is shot.

 

[TbirdFan76]

@sre so does that require a complete rebuild or just replacement of the diaphragm? I've seen many posts about poor quality fuel pumps from overseas so that doesn't sound like a good option rather that a rebuild. Is rebuilding an easy DYI project?

 

[NTouchOne]

If you can get good replacement parts, it isn't a huge job. Another option is to send it in for a rebuild. I think Prestige T-Bird in Santa Fe Springs CA has done rebuilds.

 

[doug7740]

You can purchase a fuel pump rebuild kit from Hills, or you can send your fuel pump to Arthur Gould to have your old fuel pump rebuilt.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[TbirdFan76]

You can purchase a fuel pump rebuild kit from Hills, or you can send your fuel pump to Arthur Gould to have your old fuel pump rebuilt.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

View attachment 33664

View attachment 33665

So I was doing research on rebuilding/replacing the fuel pump. One resource said it is important to make sure the engine is at TDC (top dead center) when you are reinstalling the fuel pump. Does that make sense? Why would that be important? Does it have to do with the engine engaging the fuel pump handle correctly?

 

[sre]

It has to do with the location of the concentric which drives the fuel pump. When I installed a fuel I would just turn the engine till the pump met the least resistance. Actually never looked at crank location.

 

[MarkGry]

Arthur Gould gets my vote. They've probably seen it all when it comes to condition of the core and especially reliability of the gaskets and diaphragm materials they use. Turn around was quick too.

 

[Tom Alpers]

In the past I never worried where the eccentric was. However, I've also had some that were hard to bolt up because I had to compress the lever as it went in. Live and learn. Now I'd at least bump the engine a few times till I got an easy spot that didn't put much pressure on the lever.

 

[doug7740]

So I was doing research on rebuilding/replacing the fuel pump. One resource said it is important to make sure the engine is at TDC (top dead center) when you are reinstalling the fuel pump. Does that make sense? Why would that be important? Does it have to do with the engine engaging the fuel pump handle correctly?

Since my car has power steering, when I replaced the fuel pump I removed the power steering pump and moved it aside. When I did this I did not disconnect any of the power steering hoses from the power steering pump. By moving the power steering pump, it gave me plenty of room to replace the fuel pump.



Before you remove the fuel pump make sure the engine is set to the top dead center mark on the crank pulley. By doing this the eccentric cam that operates the fuel pump will be on the low side of the cam and the fuel pump will not have much pressure against the operating lever.



When you install the fuel pump, make sure the fuel pump operating lever is under the eccentric cam.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[TbirdFan76]

@doug7740 thanks for the great pictures and guidance.

Does anyone have recommendations on where to buy rebuilt original fuel pumps? Maybe with credit for core return of my fuel pump.

I want to get this fixed as quickly as possible and Arthor Gould FAQ says it's a 3 week turnaround to rebuild.

Thanks.

 

[Tom Alpers]

@doug7740 thanks for the great pictures and guidance.

Does anyone have recommendations on where to buy rebuilt original fuel pumps? Maybe with credit for core return of my fuel pump.

I want to get this fixed as quickly as possible and Arthor Gould FAQ says it's a 3 week turnaround to rebuild.

Thanks.

I've seen people post that some of the usual vendors have rebuilt pumps ready to go and of course you need to send yours back as a core return. Don't recall names... Try Casco, Prestige, Larry's, Hills.

 

[TbirdFan76]

To get this done ASAP I had to order the rebuild kit as everyone is backed up 2 or 3 weeks doing rebuilds. Luckily I got the last rebuild kit that Hills had in stock. Hazzah!

Successfully got the fuel pump removed following doug7740 great advise. Tried to squeeze it out without touching the power steering pump but that wasn't happening so bit the bullet and moved it. Now I'll start the rebuild.

Questions:

1. Should I soak the parts in the Berry Chemcleaner or just clean them in a more mild way?
2. Where the fuel pump connects to the engine is it recommended to use permatex with the gasket? Looks like some type of gasket adhesive was used by whoever put the fuel pump on previously.

 

[DynoDan55]

I've seen people post that some of the usual vendors have rebuilt pumps ready to go and of course you need to send yours back as a core return. Don't recall names... Try Casco, Prestige, Larry's, Hills.

Back when new pumps were well made/reliable, I tossed my orig. AC. Dumb, dumb, dumb.