VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 6v Electric fuel pumps

If anyone has used, or is using, an electric fuel pump, I'd appreciate your experiences.

My 1916 arrived with one installed - and no vacuum pump.
I talked with a Model T owner today and he uses the AirTex E8011 model which outputs 5-8 psi. He said that he added a gauge to reduce the pressure to 1/2 psi. His carburetor is not too different from mine.

(For any purists, I "may" re-plumb back to a vacuum system later, but right now it seems quicker to get this car up and running -after 14 years- using it's current configuration.)

Any other things (or issues) to be aware of with an electric pump?

--Bill

If you feel you must use an electric pump, set it up so it is only used for priming after the car has sat for a long time. It is difficult for the electric pump to operate at less than 1/4 psi. Remember we are simulating the pressure of fuel that is dropped less than 1 foot by gravity. You will find out how well your needle and seat work.

I installed an electric fuel pump on a 26 Chevy Fire Truck for a friend several years ago. I added a pressure regulator between the pump and the carb. No problems.

I have never used an electric pump for operating a vehicle. Do use them as an inline auxiliary to the mechanical or vacuum pumps. Know several that have used electric pumps. Only one has had a good experience because he has a special valve instead of needle and seat in the carburetor. All the rest have intermittently had fueling problems. Either gas flowing from carburetor or fuel starvation depending on the inability of the pressure regulator to reliably work. Have heard that you can use a 12 volt pump on a 6 volt system and get relatively low pressure. Other caution is to make sure that the diaphragm is compatible with the gas you are using.

Another reason why I'm just "going forward" with what is currently installed, is that I've been unable (so far) to find a detailed fuel diagram that shows how to install the original vacuum tank. Since I have no examples, I have no idea what parts I'm missing nor how difficult it would be to restore everything "back" to its original condition.


I don't know if any vintage 4-cylinder cars will be at the VCCA Northwest Meet in August - four weeks from now. Maybe I can get some ideas while I'm there. Or... maybe I could take mine, running, and receive some "friendly" advice.


Being an "engineering" kind of guy, I already anticipate that replacing the electric fuel pump with a working one, will probably over-drive the needle shut-off. But then, I can't think of a Chevy that I've owned that hasn't suffered from carburetor flooding for one reason or another... except my 2011 Silverado Diesel.


-Bill

I was under the impression that the early Baby Grand Touring cars had an air pump on the dash that pushed air into the gas tank and the pressure in the tank pushed gas to the carburetor. Was not aware that they had a vacuum tank fuel pump. The 490 and trucks used a gas tank under the front seat and gravity to flow the gas to a carburetor on a long manifold pipe.

Thanks Chipper. That's the first time that I've heard that - and it makes sense to me. Up to now I've just "assumed" that it originally had a vacuum tank on it.

I do have a hand pump on the dash (which I don't think works, since it moves SO FREELY.) You just gave me a good idea. I might just reconnect the fuel line together with a rubber hose before I replace the non-working fuel pump.

Then I'll need to disassemble the dash pump and get it to provide some pressure to the system.

Sure wish that I could find some good photos or fuel diagrams. But I'm sure that that will come with time. I'll bet you $20 that some guy by the name of Williamson, or Willy, or Williams in OHIO has one.

Ahhh... while going through my stuff, I found this old photo. That's one reason why I thought that the 1916 had a vacuum tank.

Mike McNeil from Wichita, KS once owned a '15-'16 Baby Grand. When I rode in it had to pump air into the tank when it started to hesitate and pop. Maybe he remembers how that system works and what parts are used. I am sure that Wayne McKinley (VCCA #648) would know also.

My '19 had a vacuum tank.

There's a 1916 H 2 1/2 Roadster in my area that has the fuel tank pressure pump in the dash.

Plan B.
I received a NEW 6 volt pump (5-8 psi) on Saturday. Talked with a Model T guy who was using one and he mentioned that he needed to reduce the pressure to about 1/2 psi. He did it by adding a pressure regulator. Spent part of the day looking for one. Couldn't find what I wanted either locally or on the web.

So - today (Monday), I decided to try something different. I "jumpered" the fuel line together withOUTa pump in it.

Then I took the dash manual pump apart. Discovered that the entire internal pieces had come off the rod. Put some Neatsfoot oil on the leather, and LocTite on the nut at the lower end. Reinstalled and it pumps VERY AGGRESSIVELY.

Then I proceeded to start the car by pumping about 3 or 4 times. After some experimentation as to what Spark and Throttle and Choke settings to start with - I got it started!!

Actually had too much gas going to the carb. After I stopped the car, some fuel dripped out of the carb. Maybe I should park it on the dirt part of my driveway. ha ha ha...

Bill,

Congratulations! Always a thrill to get an old machine running! I'll send you some info on the air pumps used on the Baby Grands.

Regards,
Dan

It sure makes it easier when we know how something is supposed to work. Once armed with that knowledge it often helps to get things fixed. Glad you got the old girl running. There are only a couple of lifetime events that beat bringing an old engine back to life. Not telling what they are! This is a mixed audience.

And here's a short video of it running for the very first time.



--Proud Papa Bill

I love it. It sounds great Bill.

dtm

Congrats Bill