Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all,

My mechanical fuel pump is dead

Thinking of replacing it with an electric fuel pump.

The car is running twin 45's and sprint cams.


Any advice on what pump to use would be greatly appreciated.



Many thanks,

I went facet electric pump (the cylinder type)
And malpassi fuel regulator to get the pressure right
Plus hoses...and you will need little rubber mounts for the pump to reduce vibration
And you will need a way to turn it on and off...I used a switch in the cabin...
There is some clever discussion on the forum about an auto-cutoff of the fuel pump too...

Thanks for the info.

I was planning to have the switch in the cabin.

AKA cheap immobilizer LOL

In addition to an impact switch, think about a fuel cutoff solenoid between the electric fuel pump and the bottom outlet of the fuel tank. It also provides an easy way to prevent fuel flow when working on the carbs and having a full fuel tank.

And you will need a separate fuel filter...

I fitted a Facet (cube shape) pump in my Elan in 1972 and its still working fine.

Originally I put it in front of the radiator and it was there for about 10 years exposed to the elements so when I fitted a new chassis a dismantled the Facet pump and had its parts cadmium plated (it was easy in the 1980s) and it is now mounted in the boot with an in-line filter.

The mount consists of a wodge of foam rubber which is wrapped round the pump and is stuffed down the gap at the side of the fuel tank.

I found a spare wire in the rear loom so its now controlled by the ignition switch.

Ian

Although I have not tried it yet based on the information in this forum I think I'm going to go with a "Huco" fuel pump for my project. It's delivery pressure is specifically set for Weber/Dellorto carbs so no separate regulator is required. See link below

https://classiccarbs.co.uk/product/huco ... in-germany

Note also here in Australia at least it is illegal to place a fuel pump, lines or filter in the passenger compartment or boot unless the car was equipped with such a set up originally. Might be something else to consider.

why not just rebuild and/or replace the original pump? Been working fine all those years otherwise...

Fuel starvation down the Mulsanne? How long did the last one last? Mechanical PUMP $50; pop in a new one -DONE!

I fitted a Huco - https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/car-acc ... ump-133010

It is specifically designed for carbs - low pressure and high volume.

As stated above, there are other benefits as well. Switch the pump off and you can spin the engine without pumping fuel. Use the pump to drain the fuel tank. Prime the carbs before starting. Etc.

Incidentally, having fitted the pump virtually all the fuel stink in the garage has gone.

Down side - it does make getting to the distributor even more awkward!

vince: its what was first: the egg or the hen?............in other words: add a few inches of hose (or less) and they no longer meet! sandy

You've baffled me Sandy!

vincereynard wrote:You've baffled me Sandy!

Frequently!

Put the pump in the boot, I reckon, though the pipes have to bend tightly. Plenty in the archive including

lotus-carbs-f40/fitting-electric-fuel-pump-t26800-45.html

with bits from Alex Black and myself on page 4.

I went with the Facet cube type as well. Pressure worked out OK for my SU?s; haven?t tried it with the new Weber 45?s yet but thinking it should be OK so no plans to change it. I think they are ~2 psi output IIRC? I bought a spare which I keep in in the boot in a ziploc bag with a spare filter element. Think Moss or Victoria British sell them.

Mounted it outside the boot, right side of the car, on the boot front bulkhead (where I could get easy access for mounting screws & nuts both sides). Used thick rubber washers to isolate & weather seal. Was rewiring the car so ran a power wire from my main fuse box; can?t remember if I used a separate relay for the pump power but not a bad idea. Ground wire to the main rear ground, (which I have relocated from the boot floor / frame hex screws to the large body bolt tapped in to the right side suspension tower).

Over five years & miles of smiles with no issues.

HTH

Stu

Not all Facet cube pumps are equal. There are at least three versions. You need to check the specification before purchase. As has been said 2 to 2.5 psi for carbs.
Cheers
John