The Ford Barn

1962300 · 02-06-2022, 09:19 PM

Hello,

Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump?

Thanks!

V8COOPMAN · 02-06-2022, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1962300

Hello,

Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump?

Thanks!

Send that pump to "Charlie ny", one of our long-time menbers here on the 'Barn. Charlie uses materials for the diaphragm and wherever necessary that are resistant to the bum fuel. You will be happy. Click the link BELOW for Charlie's contact info! DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...&postcount=465

.

rsellers · 02-19-2022, 05:25 PM

In my experience, many times the cork gasket at the top of the glass bowl has dried out and cracked thus allowing the pump to suck air and not gas. If the cork gasket is cracked, you might be able to buy a new one at NAPA. If unable to buy a new one, you will need to cut one from a sheet of cork material. Once you have a replacement, coat both sides with vaseline then re-assemble. The pump should now suck gas, not air. If your cork gasket is still intact, then the problem may be the diaphragm.

19Fordy · 02-19-2022, 05:45 PM

If you have Charlie rebuild it, the pump will be better than any new one today.
Plus, it will still be made in the USA.

rotorwrench · 02-19-2022, 08:19 PM

The standard pump is easier to rebuild than the one with the vacuum pump for the windshield wipers.

RalphG · 02-19-2022, 09:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rsellers

If the cork gasket is cracked, you might be able to buy a new one at NAPA. If unable to buy a new one, you will need to cut one from a sheet of cork material. .

The glass bowls for fuel pumps and tank outlets on tractors seem pretty standard sized and available a lot of places. Simple enough to measure. I'd bet the John Deere dealer could sell you one that also fits a JD tractor.

RalphG · 02-19-2022, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1962300

Hello,

Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump?

Thanks!

Hopefully it is just a dried up bowl gasket allowing it to draw air and not gas. Mine sat for decades without running and still pumps gas just fine. As far as I know it is the same pump that was on the Merc when my dad parked it in 1969. I did eventually have to replace the cork gasket on the sediment bowl.

Bill OH · 02-20-2022, 03:38 PM

I use a neoprene gasket on the fuel bowl - same size as the gasket on a Massey Harris 44.
Neoprene is more resilient than cork and the neoprene can be reused.

tubman · 02-20-2022, 07:14 PM

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I (and others) have found cork gaskets to be superior.

02-06-2022, 09:19 PM	#1
1962300 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 181	1949 Mercury Fuel Pump Hello, Stock flathead fuel pump was replaced some 10 years ago. I stupidly let the car sit for the last 7 years. The fuel pump is now not pumping. I suspect the diaphragm is dried up. Are these pumps easy to rebuild? Or is it best to buy a new one, as todays fuels may have destroyed the innards of the pump? Thanks! __________________ Matt Allyn 1932 Ford Roadster / 1949 Mercury Coupe / 1949 Harley Davidson "45" / 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible / 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible / 1959 Lambretta TV175 / 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Convertible / 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon / 1962 Chrysler 300H / 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport / 1964 International Travelall / 2015 Tesla Model S

02-19-2022, 05:25 PM	#3
rsellers Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas Posts: 8	Re: 1949 Mercury Fuel Pump In my experience, many times the cork gasket at the top of the glass bowl has dried out and cracked thus allowing the pump to suck air and not gas. If the cork gasket is cracked, you might be able to buy a new one at NAPA. If unable to buy a new one, you will need to cut one from a sheet of cork material. Once you have a replacement, coat both sides with vaseline then re-assemble. The pump should now suck gas, not air. If your cork gasket is still intact, then the problem may be the diaphragm.

02-19-2022, 05:45 PM	#4
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: 1949 Mercury Fuel Pump If you have Charlie rebuild it, the pump will be better than any new one today. Plus, it will still be made in the USA. Last edited by 19Fordy; 02-19-2022 at 06:30 PM.

02-19-2022, 08:19 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1949 Mercury Fuel Pump The standard pump is easier to rebuild than the one with the vacuum pump for the windshield wipers.

02-20-2022, 03:38 PM	#8
Bill OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 426	Re: 1949 Mercury Fuel Pump I use a neoprene gasket on the fuel bowl - same size as the gasket on a Massey Harris 44. Neoprene is more resilient than cork and the neoprene can be reused.

02-20-2022, 07:14 PM	#9
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: 1949 Mercury Fuel Pump I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I (and others) have found cork gaskets to be superior.