Farrar's car blog

[Farrar]

BTW, why not mount it in the engine bay?

Despite Bill's assurances, I would still be nervous about vapor-lock having the pump above the level of gasoline in the tank.

Or just leave the pump in the tank -- very easy access.

With the current pump installed, the access cover under the spare tire well will not close.

Would you like a video demonstration?

Farrar

[content22207]

HA! I wonder if I had said leave it in the tank you would have said mount it in the engine bay. Good times

I'm not the one complaining about Airtex fuel pumps. Quite the opposite -- I am having excellent success with my own pump (as are all the other owners I have helped -- no one outside of Louisiana has experienced a pump failure). Farrar and Steve are the only ones having problems, which seems to indicate an environmental problem, ie: rust. Due to atmospheric moisture, things do rust at an accelerated pace down there. Metal coat hangers will rust hanging in your closet, for crying out loud (can I hear an "Amen," Farrar). If Farrar and Steve's ground connections are rusty, they are going to be putting excess stress on their pump motors.

Ever notice how quickly the steel components on Farrar's carburetor rusted (linkages, machine screws, etc)? That same effect is happening all over his car.

BTW: Farrar can put other manufacturers' pumps in his tank if he wants. I believe Steve is running a Spectra unit.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Farrar]

So would there be any problem having the pump above the level of fuel in the tank? Or am I worrying unnecessarily?

Farrar

[stevedmc]

I believe Steve is running a Spectra unit.

I'm currently running on the spare Airtex unit I had with me when I had my failure. Right now I've got some more important stuff to work on, but once my honey do list is caught up I plan on installing the Spectra unit.

[ramblinmike]

So would there be any problem having the pump above the level of fuel in the tank? Or am I worrying unnecessarily?

Farrar

Cars do it all the time. '80s Volvos had their pumps on the outside of the tank. Late 80's fords did as well.

[Farrar]

Cars do it all the time. '80s Volvos had their pumps on the outside of the tank. Late 80's fords did as well.

All right, then. In order to protect the fuel pump from rusting, I may just mount it in the engine compartment. Stuff in there is reasonably protected from the rain.

Might as well run a new fuel line while I'm at it.

Going to go shopping on Tuesday for a new jack. Since the D is so light, I guess I don't need a very heavy-duty one.

Farrar

[Bitsyncmaster]

Going to go shopping on Tuesday for a new jack. Since the D is so light, I guess I don't need a very heavy-duty one.

Farrar

The back end is pretty heavy. I have a cheap one (1500 lbs) and a better one (2500 lbs) and it's pretty hard lifting the back end with the cheap one.

[Farrar]

The back end is pretty heavy. I have a cheap one (1500 lbs) and a better one (2500 lbs) and it's pretty hard lifting the back end with the cheap one.

I am not looking at cheap ones -- with me under the car, I want good quality! The one I was looking at it rated for 2½ tons. I think that should be sufficient. And no, I am not shopping at Harbor Freight.

My old floor jack was rated for ... I dunno, something heavy -- 5 or 6 tons, I think. That was great, especially since my Chrysler was heavier than the D. But the thing weighed probably 100 pounds. I nearly strained my back every time I had to pick it up, and even rolling it was a pain if the pavement was rough.

Farrar

[sean]

I am not looking at cheap ones -- with me under the car, I want good quality! The one I was looking at it rated for 2½ tons. I think that should be sufficient. And no, I am not shopping at Harbor Freight.

I dont care how good the floor jack is, you should NEVER be doing work under a car with just a floor jack holding the car up. Get a jack stand or two to rest the car on while you do your work. Heck, at least some blocks or wood.

[Farrar]

I dont care how good the floor jack is, you should NEVER be doing work under a car with just a floor jack holding the car up.

I never do. But guess who is under the car positioning the jack stands...

Farrar