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I never buy the kits with them separate and not even sure how one would put them together that way. I get these instead and they also had them with the other type of connector (the bit that's circled) although I don't see them on their site now. The last time, I bought a couple of each just to be sure I always had what I needed. Anyway, if you get stuck, I have lots of photos from the rebuild of my 1951 Henney-Packard's pump that might help. I clean by whatever means all the parts and all should be nice and bright inside and out when done.

This area on my pump had a bit of corrosion and was rough. I think it's a good idea to clean it up and make sure it's smooth to give the diaphragms good longevity.




Remember to preload the diaphragm as per the video to prevent premature failure. No fuel pump=no go!

I agree with Don, your gloves are not nearly dirty enough! LOL

Merritt instructions say to press the rod out. It doesn't seem to budging and I can't do anything if these parts break. I'm tempted to reassemble with old diaphragms. They are in okay condition. I don't know what else to do. Can't get parts before Tuesday likely and I'm supposed to have this car running Sunday night.

Does anyone have a kit they can overnight me? I'm in Detroit, MI.

I'd be careful with reusing old diaphragms unless you know for sure the rubber is new enough to be modern and able to hold up to ethanol or some of the current additives. Old diaphragms usually do not last long when they start running modern gas.

Some of the rods have a tapered end and will only press out from one direction and others can have a keeper pin or retaining clip that goes in a groove in the rod. If there are clips, they can be very small and sometimes hard to see located anywhere along the length of the rod or hidden between sections of the cam or actuator pieces. You might even need to turn the pump upside down or push the arm down to see them.

Thanks. I only run non ethanol fuel. Don't really care about longevity at this moment. Just need it to run on Sunday and be able to drive 30 miles tips. I'll see if I can find someone to overnight premade diaphragm rods or I'm reusing. Traveling back to my garage now where I have a press. I may attempt the instructions but they don't sound great.

Another option if you can't get a kit quickly would be to get a 6v electric pump overnighted to use temporarily. Amazon has a universal pump in a pressure range that you could hook up quickly in the engine compt to bypass the mechanical. Your local parts store may also have something similar. If it is in the engine compt, I would add a filter between the pump and carb so the pressure would be a bit lower at the carb inlet. Presume you don't have one already, so when you have the time and mechanical kit installed then move it to the back near the tank. Run it thru an on/off switch so you can control it for use in priming and if the need arises, for vapor lock conditions..

My two cents....

Considering you want the car for Sunday, don't muck around with the diaphragms for now, at least you know they don't have holes in them. Clean up your pump and put in all the other new parts and get it back on the car. Order the assembled diaphragms and replace them another time. If you mess the diaphragms up, and can't get new ones in time, you're hooped!

Not to mention the car isn't running yet and the clock is ticking!

I'm taking your advice. Reassembly with old diaphragms and replacing other parts I'm able to.

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Those diaphragms look pretty good, shouldn't be an issue for a while!

What's on the todo list?

Fuel tank installed and connected?
Assemble and install fuel pump.
Coil, distributor cap, points & plugs.

Start and drive!