Trouble installing new mechanical fuel pump...

[dfuehrer]

Howdy,

I am having a heck of a time getting this new pump installed in my 1978 Fiat Spider. The old one seems to have a different "style" lever than the Beck/Arnley unit. The old unit's lever is stamped and "rolled" to give it a more rounded surface where it contacts the lobe inside the block. The Beck/Arnley unit is only stamped from a flat piece of metal.

I can reinstall the old pump without any problem, but the new unit doesn't seem to want to go into place for love or money! Is there a trick here that I am missing?

Don
1978 Spider 124

[azygoustoyou]

I'm lost with what your saying. I have a 78. I also looked at IAP to see the fuel pumps. I didn't see any levers.

[dfuehrer]

So how do I attach images here to show you??

[manoa matt]

You need to assemble the pump, spacer, and bolts. Angle the actuating arm UP as you insert it into the hole. The actuating arm must rest on TOP of the auxiliary shaft. Different manufacturing methods to make a part with the same dimensions. It should work.

[dfuehrer]

Well that's the rub, isn't it? I was unable to get it to line up with the bolts, no matter how the actuating arm was positioned! Uppon closer examination the overall "profile" of the arm on the new pump, vs. the "profile" of the arm on the old one, it is not the same! The tip of the arm on the new pump wasn't angled as much as on the old one, and the overall thickness on the arm on the new one was greater than the old one. You wouldn't think you would have to grind a new part like that to fit.

I looked over my old pump and discovered that my previous JB Weld repair of the ouput tube was working, and there was nothing else wrong with it. Turns out the leaks I had after the JB Weld were from the DPO not having the clamps tight enough on the fuel lines! Silly me for not checking that first...

I am in contact with the company I purchased the new pump from, about returning it to them. Dunno if they will take it back without a huge % restocking fee or not. Perhaps it will just have to be a lesson learned...