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

I had my fuel pump rebuilt at Egge machine and it seems like there is to much fuel pressure as gas is pumping out the accerator pump hole in carburetor, the carb was rebuilt, has anyone ever had to put a fuel pressure regulator on? The car is a 1936 120 with a ee-14 carb.

Just FYI. Motors Manual, Eleventh edition has the 35-36 120 pressure out spec at 3 1/2 psi which is 1 psi lower than that given for pumps used on other 36 models and for those pumps used on most models of Packards after 36. I have no experience with Stromberg carbs but Carters and probably even Rochesters can take a slight increase in pressures before the float valve is forced off the seat and starts to leak. To answer your question though, I have not heard of anyone needing a pressure regulator when using a stock and correct mechanical pump.

AFAIK, the only two items that affect pressure out of the type pumps Packard used is the strength of the diaphragm spring and whether the arm was pushed and held in the full travel position during final assembly so that the diaphragm would be kept in its full extended position while the screws holding the two halves of the pump body together were tightened down against the diaphragm rim.

Assuming the spring -- or maybe the whole pump -- didn't get confused with one from another model then that would leave a too tight diaphragm as a possible issue. A problem there will have increased pressure out and if the tension is severe, the diaphragm will either give up weakened from the stress and tears, or if lucky is able to pull enough against the screw holes to get some slippage and working slack. The old fabric reinforced type diaphragms would usually tear somewhere, not sure what newer ethanol resistant construction diaphragms will do.

Hello all, I have a 1937 Packard Six 115-C that I stored over the winter. When I went to start it up the other day to move it out of storage, it turned over but wouldn't start. So, I removed the air cleaner cover to take it off the carburetor to be able to prime it, but I couldn't remove the whole air filter cover. I looked down to check the carburetor float and poured a little gas in there, then proceeded to crank the engine. It started up and ran a little before coughing out and quitting altogether. I did this several times for the same outcome.

I checked and noticed the fuel filter was dry, so figured the fuel pump is probably shot. Since I've never worked on this car before, I couldn't find where the fuel pump is located on the engine block. I assume it has a mechanical fuel pump, but I can't find it anywhere in the engine compartment. Google says the vacuum fuel pump on a 1937 Packard six cylinder is typically located on the firewall or engine block. I would assume it would be attached on the passenger side of the front engine block, but I don't see it.

Does anyone out there have pictures of the actual fuel pump and mounting location of the device? Attached are a few pictures I snapped of my engine as well as a schematic from the Packard Shop Manual for the fuel pump.
Thanks for any and all advice, I'm new to all of this and still learning.

Steve Weaver

It should be at the right front side of the engine below the valve covers so look to see if there is a blank-out plate instead. If there is, someone has likely installed an electric pump which would typically be in the fuel line somewhere near the tank.

I think Don is correct, someone must have removed it and installed an electric fuel pump.

It should be here.



Follow the fuel line from the carb and see where it goes, eventually it'll lead you to a fuel pump.

Here is a photo from the 37 data book showing the pump. If you have a solenoid type electric pump, there should be a kind of repetitive clicking when you turn on the ignition before trying to start the engine. If a rotary type pump then it will probably be a very low hum or even silent. Do you hear anything? If you do then I would look for clogged filters etc.

In either case, most electrics had a manual switch so the operator could control the pump. Maybe not so with an electric being used in place of a removed mechanical pump unless a switch was intended as anti-theft protection and hidden. Is there a possibility the electric pump is on a switch and that is turned off. If no switch, there should at least be a fuse you could check.

Thanks Howard, I'm going to try and trace the fuel line from the carb back and see if its hidden or changed to electric, etc. Typically, when I turn the ignition key on, I get a low hum and the gauges all turn on, then I push in the starter button, and it usually fires up.

Steve

Thanks Don, I was looking all over where I thought it should be, so I'm just going to trace the fuel line back from the carb and see where it goes. There has to be a fuel pump somewhere under there. LOL!

Steve