I've been thinking of adding an in-line 6v electric pump, connected to a momentary switch, to prime the carb when starting the '53 and it's been sitting for a while. Has anyone done this? What pump did you use? I realize the pump has to be designed to allow fuel to flow freely through it when it's not pumping so that the mechanical pump doesn't struggle. I can get this pump locally. Does anyone have any experience with it? Thanks.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
I highly recommend installing an electric primer pump on the older cars . I installed one between the tank and fuel pump on my 52 Chevrolet three years ago and solved the problem of using the starter to fill the carburetor bowl after the sits for a week or more. I installed a switch under the dash and wired it through the ignition switch so the electric pump can't be left running when the car is not operating. When I want to prime the carburetor I turn the ignition key on, turn the pump switch on, let it run for 15 to 20 seconds, and start the engine. As soon as the engine starts, I turn the pump switch off. The Spectra Premium pump was purchased on Ebay for $53.44. I have had no problems with the pump to date.
Tiny if have them on the 47 54 and 28, also had one on the 49 pickup. No problem with the stock pump pulling through.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
I think so, I know I bought the last 2 at O’Rielly’s
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
I ended up putting a Spectra pump on the '53, plumbed to the schematic below. When the pump came in I tried blowing through it to see how much resistance there was. It took a fairly significant blow to get air to pass so I plumbed it in a bypass configuration using a one way valve. I didn't want to put additional stress on the OEM mechanical pump. Once installed, I disconnected the fuel line from the carb and had the wife activate the switch to test the setup. Within a few seconds I had fuel coming out of the line. The one way valve keeps the fuel from looping back to the pump. When the car is running and the mechanical pump is doing the work, the fuel takes the path of least resistance, bypassing the electric pump. It works great so far.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
I should probably mention that the reason I didn't put the filter between the pump and the tank is because the pump came with it's own filter. All gas going to the engine is filtered.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
Tiny, If there is a filter in the fuel pump what happens when it clogs? Do you have to replace the pump? If so I surely would add another filter to protect the filter in the pump.
It screws into the pump Chip so it's easily replaceable if necessary. It's similar in apperance to this one. If one wanted to put the existing filter before the pump all they'd need to do is install it before the first brass "T". This is the pump I bought. If you look at the pictures along the left you'll see what comes with it.
Last edited by Tiny; 08/02/1911:02 AM.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan