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Technical Where to get an old-timey hand fuel pump?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ben DeBumper, Nov 7, 2013.

  1. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    I have an electric fuel pump on my '29 Speedster but obviously this is not period-correct. My fuel system is able to be sealed so I was thinking of switching to a hand pump pressurized system for the added cool factor, but haven't been able to find a source for the pump. Are these reproduced or do I have to prowl eBay and hope one comes up?
     
  2. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,358

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

  3. The electric fuel pump was produced well before WW11.

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  4. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member


  5. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    I didn't know that!
     
  6. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,358

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    I would imagine the originals would go for that, maybe more, and need rebuilt? Whatever you decide, good luck!
     
  7. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    I would think a race-car inspired speedster built considerably before WWII would have used an early pressure pump, used on lots of big circa WWI cars...the Moon type is really a later piece, maybe early fifties, probably brought out because the circle track types had all the old ones in use and nobody was scrapping 1912 Cadillacs anymore...so you probably haven't reached "expensive" yet!
    Why not locate an old tire pump and a pipe cutter...look for a check valve fitting in industrial supply...
     
  8. 3340
    Joined: Jun 4, 2010
    Posts: 578

    3340
    Member

    go to you're local beer distributer, talk to there draft beer guy and explain what you are looking for they have brass pumps that look the part, if no luck pm me. wayne
     
  9. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    Hey great idea. New keg pumps can be had for less than $50. And used ones are all over eBay!



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  10. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    Score!

    Found on ebay, part of an old keg pump. Nice heavy chrome-plated brass with some patina. I like it because it doesn't resemble more modern pumps that have a ball handle.
     

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  11. big vic
    Joined: Jan 3, 2010
    Posts: 400

    big vic
    Member
    from cary il

    that should look great
     
  12. True that!! I worked on a 1928 Essex that had an electric fuel pump Stock!!

    And it still worked!! (Car had sat from 1965 until 1980 or so, when my friend bought it).

    Cosmo
     
  13. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    That is a really good looking alternative!! :D
     
  14. 3340
    Joined: Jun 4, 2010
    Posts: 578

    3340
    Member

    Hey Ben A Great Score, Good Job. Wayne
     
  15. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,719

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Once you've got it on the car you'll probably be less infatuated with having to constantly pump the pressure up to keep running! ;)
     
  16. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    Ha ha, you may be right! Fortunately I only need a pump when the tank gets below 1/4 full, anything higher it flow by gravity.


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  17. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    I believe Speedway has a reproduction of the early hand pumps. Check and it might be a little cheaper than Ebay.

    Frank
     
  18. jkeesey
    Joined: Oct 12, 2011
    Posts: 652

    jkeesey
    Member

    A 1928 Essex did not come from factory with an electric fuel pump. They had vacuum pumps mounted to the firewall.
     
  19. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    I guess I didn't make it clear, I already bought the one in the picture. It even came with a keg tap! :D
     
  20. woodbutcher
    Joined: Apr 25, 2012
    Posts: 3,310

    woodbutcher
    Member

    :D Uh huh.Gonna set it up for DUAL use.Hehehe.
    Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
    Leo
     
  21. which for all intents and purpose is gravity from the pump to the carb. Correct?
     
  22. jkeesey
    Joined: Oct 12, 2011
    Posts: 652

    jkeesey
    Member

  23. If that is true, then the electric pump that This Essex had, Was older than 1965 anyway. And 6 volts.

    Cosmo
     
  24. jkeesey
    Joined: Oct 12, 2011
    Posts: 652

    jkeesey
    Member

    Like stated earlier, they had electric fuel pumps before WWII.
     
  25. Oldest I have been able to date them at this point is 1927. Autopulse model 200.
     
  26. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    I took advantage of the unusual 60 degree weather here in New England and assembled the pump system. I decided to mount the pump outside the driver's seat (saw a picture of one mounted like that on a Stutz Bearcat!) I used 5/16" copper tubing to plumb it. The small silver device in the line behind the seat is a check valve. It seems to work like it should, but won't be able to road test it until spring. Now I need to find a pressure gauge for the dashboard.
     

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  27. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You do realize that that setup will create a vacuum on your tank negating the "gravity" feed off the top 3/4 of the tank? You will end up having to pump your hand pump a lot more often than you think you are going to have to with that setup. That will be especially so when the tank is full and you don't have much room for air in the tank.
     
  28. Ben DeBumper
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Ben DeBumper
    Member

    You're right, but I don't think it will be that bad. The tank holds about 20 gallons, but I usually only fill it half full, so that leaves 10 gallons of air space. Now if this space was pressurized to, say, 2 psi, even when the tank is almost empty there will still be 1 psi of air pressure remaining. So theoretically I won't need to re-pressurize assuming zero leakage. I only use the car for short trips anyway, so if I give it a few pumps before starting off it should be OK.

    So now the question is: how many pumps will it take to pressurize a 10-gallon air volume to 2 psi? I estimate the pump volume is 12 cubic inches, or .006 cubic feet. 10 gallons is 1.33 cubic feet. The equation to use is:

    Pa x Va = Pc x Vc

    Vc is the compressed volume = 1.33 cubic feet
    Pc is the pressure at the compressed volume = 16.7 psia
    Pa is atmospheric pressure = 14.7 psia

    So the free volume, Va, = (Pc x Vc)/Pa = 1.51 cubic feet.

    (1.51-1.33)/.006 = approx. 30 pumps.
     
  29. tommyd
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 11,948

    tommyd
    Member
    from South Indy

    Uh.....can I phone a friend?:p
     

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