Carter fuel pump kit

[vtgt500]

Please redirect if this has been addressed.  A search has offered no answer.

During the past summer, my FE engine has been increasingly, hard staring. Believe I have tracked it down to the rebuilt, NAPA fuel pump I installed in '79.  Regardless, I'm suspect of its condition.  Especially with 37 years of alcohol fuels and extended storage intervals.

My question is, does anyone, including Carter sell an X-series kit with ethanol-compatible rubber parts?

I see an infamous, Asian parts distributor's kits I would never dare use. Thoughts?

Oh. I will also be changing the inline, canister filter.

[Bob Gaines]

Please redirect if this has been addressed.  A search has offered no answer.

During the past summer, my FE engine has been increasingly, hard staring. Believe I have tracked it down to the rebuilt, NAPA fuel pump I installed in '79.  Regardless, I'm suspect of its condition.  Especially with 37 years of alcohol fuels and extended storage intervals.

My question is, does anyone, including Carter sell an X-series kit with ethanol-compatible rubber parts?

I see an infamous, Asian parts distributor's kits I would never dare use. Thoughts?

Oh. I will also be changing the inline, canister filter.

Just some thoughts to add to your diagnosis. The rubber diaphragm is the main component in a rebuild kit.Check valves are important too. If the diaphragm in the fuel pump goes bad it will leak fuel out the weep hole. The diaphragm aspect is either good or bad. The rubber diaphragm does not get weaker with age lowering the fuel pressure. The rubber in the diaphragm gets brittle with age and will break causing fuel to pass through.The alcohol content in the fuel can cause the rubber in the diaphragm to go bad. The spring can get weaker which does not move the diaphragm fully causing lower pressure but the rubber typically goes bad first.There is no reason to suspect the fuel pump will develop more pressure with age.The problem I hear most often now is that the springs are too strong in the replacement after market fuel pumps and cause too much pressure which affects the needle and seat in the carb. A fuel regulator has to be employed inline to correct the problem if the fuel pump is not adjusted with a weaker spring. If the engine is running good otherwise after it is started and has over time I am skeptical that the fuel pump is a cause of the engine to develop a hard starting situation with that same fuel pump. You might check the fuel pressure at starting if normal or not before you condemn the fuel pump. Best of luck finding your solution.

[vtgt500]

Bob, sincere thanks for the agreed reply.  I too am apprehensive of aftermarket kits with an incorrect, pressure spring. After suffering a totally destructive car fire, now insist on replacing anything suspect with correct parts.  Will be reporting back on  what I buy and inspect for a kit.  Worst case, I make my own diaphragms from fabric reinforced neoprene.

[warwick]

I just finished a restoration - went to start and fuel pump was bad.  It was gushing out weep hole. I Just rebuild pump prior to resto. This was just a few years ago. I pulled pump apart and diaphragm was cracked all around spring plate. Over the years I have had numerous issues related to ethanol including hoses /gaskets dissolving, holes in bottom of float bowls etc.

My understanding is most X pump rebuild kits come from one source.  The first thing I thought of was the rubber ethanol safe-never chased it down because the facts say it is not.

This moot for me now I only use real gas-the difference is significant.

[vtgt500]

Thank for the feedback.  Yes, I've seen the heavily advertised S.D. rebuild kit.  Anything they sell, I've inspected, is disappointing quality. Fear the pump kit is no different.  Curiously, AMK advertises an "American Made" kit. Carter's web page shows kits available.  Their "contact us" email has been useless.

Locally, alcohol free fuel is 91 octane.  Other stations offer 93 and some Sunoco stations sell 94.  I can't risk detonation.

[Bob Gaines]

Thank for the feedback.  Yes, I've seen the heavily advertised S.D. rebuild kit.  Anything they sell, I've inspected, is disappointing quality. Fear the pump kit is no different.  Curiously, AMK advertises an "American Made" kit. Carter's web page shows kits available.  Their "contact us" email has been useless.

Locally, alcohol free fuel is 91 octane.  Other stations offer 93 and some Sunoco stations sell 94.  I can't risk detonation.

I have used octane supreme  http://www.wildbillscorvette.com for years to boost octane. Unlike other octane boosters it uses real tetraethyl lead to increase octane. Of course not for use in catalytic converter equipped cars.