Multiple defective new fuel pumps

TOG1937

TOG1937

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
Messages
92
Reaction score
17
Points
8
Fuel pump in our '66 Catalina convertible failed a few weeks back. Replaced it with an O'Reilly unit that failed in about 200 miles. Tow #1. Pulled the tank to inspect it and to replace the sending unit and filter/sock with a new SS unit. Inside of the tank was pristine like new. Yay! Put it all back together with a new piece of hose, SS clamps and SS tank straps from Ames. Installed a second O'Reilly pump that failed in about 50 miles. Great. Tow #2. This one was an obvious internal mechanical failure as the pump lever just flopped around totally loose upon removal. Ordered a pump from Ames Performance and upon inspection it was obviously _identical_ to the two O'Reilly pumps that failed, right down to the exact same part number etched into the side of the pump. Packed it up and sent it right back, never installed it. Next tried a NAPA pump and it appeared to be from a different manufacturer Vs the O'Reilly and Ames pumps. Great, maybe it will work. Installed the NAPA pump and it lasted about 100 miles before failing with intermittent vapor lock like symptoms and then failed hard, fortunately right here in the driveway. No tow! Closely inspected the steel fuel line from tank to pump, all looks good. Also tried installing a clickty-clack in-line electric pump each time the above 3x pumps failed and got fuel to the carb and the engine ran OK pretty much confirming mech pump failure. Also tested the NAPA pump and observed very little vacuum on the in side and zero PSI on the out side.
So, thoughts?
Missing the obvious?
Who makes a high quality pump, something of recent purchase and installation that works and lasts and that you might have direct personal experience with?
Thank you!
The Old Guy
 
Must be the Pole Barn Garage curse, he goes through the same thing all the time...on his YouTube channel....

Not great manufacturing nowadays....

Doug in P.R.😎
 
Have you tried an Airtex pump?
 
Too many reports of quality issues with airtex. This '66 Catalina is mostly original and want to try to keep it that way so no
elec pump. Most of the aftermarket high performance pumps run at up to 8 PSI for performance carbs and may not work well with the OEM Rochester 2GC. So looking at the Carter Street Super Mechanical M6907 pump that runs at 6 PSI.
Anyone have good or bad results with this unit?
Other thoughts or suggestions?
Tnx!
The Old Guy
______________________________
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1202.png
    IMG_1202.png
    395.7 KB · Views: 0
OK, so spent a few hours online researching what I could find on these mechanical pumps. Holley, Edelbrock, Airtex, Carter, the general consensus is that they all suck.
So, ?
 
Not sure what answer you are looking for. Somebody who has no problems after installing a pump will never post, one year since I installed brand X and no problems. I went with Airtex a few years ago after original 71 pump sprang a link and it's still running. Some of those you mention will require some additional work to fit if the connections are not identical to original.
 
After researching options and looking at the Holley, Edelbrock, and Carter high-performance pumps we settled on the Carter Street Super Mechanical M6907 pump as Summit claims 6 PSI output pressure which should work with the OEM Rochester 2GC carb, is specifically for Pontiac V8 Applications, had mostly OK reviews and is MADE IN USA. Upon arrival it appears to be of reasonable quality and has the input and outputs marked as such and in the proper orientation for the Pontiac V8. So far so good. We know in advance it does not come with the 1/4 NPT to 5/16 hose barbs but those were in stock at our local O'Reilly's. Upon installation we noted it took far less pressure to compress the internal mechanism to be able to install the OEM 12-point 3/8 bolts Vs the two previous O'Reilly pumps and the NAPA pump, all three of which took considerable force to compress the mechanisms to be able to insert the two bolts. Makes me think these pumps were possibly generic and not really correct for this application and this could possibly be why all three failed so prematurely, between 50 and 200 miles. We also purchased a NROS, New Replacement Old Stock 40239 pump, specifically for 65-66 Pontiac V8s, from Ebay as a backup and will have this on the shelf if needed. It is also MADE IN USA, appears to be high quality and is a component type pump as is the Carter M6907. Some research shows this is a genuine AC pump. Hopefully it will remain on the parts shelf here forever. Initial road tests are positive. Pics for both the Carter M6907 and AC 40239 pumps attached. Will follow up if the Carter fails or to answer any questions.Caarter M6907 a.jpgCaarter M6907 c.jpgCaarter M6907 b.jpgNROS pump1.jpgNROS pump2.jpgNROS pump3.jpgNROS pump4.jpg
 
Might want to preserve that NOS pump's diaphragm from drying out......

Doug in P.R.😎
______________________________
 
Last edited:
Follow-up almost a year later, the Carter pump is still going strong.
The NOS pump was returned for a refund.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top