Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I've been looking at a prewar Packard with an electric fuel pump. When do I use it?
All the time
Just when I start it
On hot days to prevent vapor lock

I use it for a primer... Good for vapor lock too. There is no need to use it otherwise.

I turn it on if the car's been sitting for a week, so it's a primer for me, too. Also, sometimes in traffic when the car begins to stutter, I immediately hit the switch and it comes back to life.

The only time the electric pump failed to solve the problem was last summer on the CCCA CARavan in Iowa when the temperature in the shade hit 105 degrees. The crappy gas they sell there probably had something to do with it, too.

I have a 6 volt fuel pump located down on the frame inline along with a filter. It is rated at 5 PSI.

I leave it on with the ignition switch all the time and have had no problems. There is a turnoff switch up under the dash.

The guy who had the car before me put it on because sometimes the car would start to stall and turning on the pump cured it.

These pumps are made for continuous duty and the low pressure (5 psi) pumps are intended to use with a float fed carburetor.

It has been turned on for the past 3000 miles and I actually forgot about it.

From a safety standpoint, I would recommend a push button switch like a starter button. In case of an accident or fire, the fuel supply would then be in-active if the engine was stopped.

Quote:

Some kind of fail safe kill option is a good idea for those who have pumps that are on all the time. An inertia switch might be an easier to use option. There are also the oil pressure operated fuel pump safety switches that could be used if there is an extra provision made for pump to run and supply starting gas on those cars needing it.

The push button switch is the way to go. Great for priming and/or vapor lock. If the carburetor and fuel pump are functioning properly, which they should be, why use an electric all the time? I'm not one for unnecessary modification.

I have mine on a toggle off the ignition. I only use it for priming and vapor lock situations, other than that, I use only the mechanical. Shutting off the ignition kills the election pump if the toggle was accidentally left in the on positon.

You could also probably use a latching relay off of something that is only hot or grounded then the engine is actually running, with a momentary switch for initial engagement.

Quote:

Big Kev,

That assumes you are conscious after the accident...

Inertial switches are super easy to install in a hidden but accessible spot. I have never had any of mine trip as a result of bumps (even some very large ones!).

Here is the type I use. It is a Ford product, widely available (including Amazon, where I got the photo).

Cheers,
Tom

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I'm living dangerously. I have mine turned on via the ignition switch and plumbed directly to the carb with a 2-4 lb psi pump. I'm hoping plumbed directly to the carb will sove my vapor lock problem.