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MG TD TF 1500 - Fuel pump removal

I have a 1954 TF with the fuel pump under the rear wheel arch. It looks like the fuel tank must be drained if the fuel pump is disconnected. Is that true?
Ron Coates

Ron,
Just block the line with a small bolt.
I normally disconnect mine with a oil pan or coffee can to catch the leak.
Do it all the time when I change clear fuel filter I have installed on out put side of the pump.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Ron - Dave S has about the best approach as any. If the tank is not full, I would suggest draining it completely, removing the line from the tank to the pump and installing a 1/4" ball valve in the line. You can then shut the line off anytime you need to remove the pump (or change the filter Dave). It will also double as an anti-theft device when the car is parked in less than desirable neighborhood. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Hi Ron,

Good advice already given - I have soldered up one end of two old connectors, to fit input and output side of pump. Only a little fuel will drain back from the carb. side, but rather more will go down your sleeve on the tank/input side, before the modified connectors are screwed on!

David I like your idea of installing a valve on the input side. Do you know if the 'ball valve' term is used on this side of the water, and what is the normal application for such a valve? ie, where is such a valve purchased?

Thanks, John
J C Mitchell

Duuhh....(as in: "the wet slap at the end of a cold fist")! Why didn't I think of that...A VALVE!!!! Thanks David... much better than that gas down the sleeve method I have been using! (at least I don't smoke whilst doing this!)
As for the shut off doubling as a anti-theft devise...neat...but one I use is a "hidden" switch for the pump. Done this for years. The idea behind this is give them just enough gas to get down the road a bit and the car dies. Most thieves will abandon it rather than attempt to trouble shoot. At least that is what they did with an Austin of ours years ago that was equipped with the switch!

Hey David...one other one you may be able to help me with! ....What kind of valve/shut off should I be using for this?
My replacement smoke keeps leaking out of container!
Cheers & Best Regards,
David 55 TF1500 #7427


David Sheward

John,
Google on Model Engineering supply and you will find many sources eg. Reeves:
https://vault1.secured-url.com/reeves2000/shop_subcategory.asp?cat_id=10
or much more:
http://www.modeleng.org/suppliers/supply_r.htm
good luck
Guenter
Guenter

John - "Do you know if the 'ball valve' term is used on this side of the water, and what is the normal application for such a valve? ie, where is such a valve purchased?"

The term 'ball valve' refers to a quarter turn valve that has a ball with a hole drilled through it and usually seated in a teflon sleeve, that allows fluids to flow when the hole lines up with the axis of the valve assembly and stops the flow whee the hole is at right angles to the axis (see attached picture). They are available in sizes from 1/8 NP (or BSP) through ridiculously large. Other 1/4 turn valves of this type use a tapered cylinder with a hole through it. I don't like this type of valve as they often stick in one position and tend to leak. On this side of the pond they can be obtained from any place that has a good stock of plumbing supplies or from industrial supply houses such as MSC http://www.mscdirect.com/ or McMaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ I am afraid that I don't know any similar place in the UK.

Dave S. - "What kind of valve/shut off should I be using for this? My replacement smoke keeps leaking out of container!"

That would be the extremely rare Lucas defibrillator safety valve with an adjustable pressure safety release set such that it only emits just enough smoke while you are driving that only the wife can smell it. You know the situation - Wife, "what's that smell" You, "what smell, I don't smell anything" Wife, "it smells like something burning" You, "I still don't smell anything" Wife, "well I do, pull the car over immediately and find out what is burning".... You also know how this scenario usually ends ;) Cheers - Dave


David DuBois

"Wife, "what's that smell" You, "what smell, I don't smell anything" Wife, "it smells like something burning" You, "I still don't smell anything" Wife, "well I do, pull the car over immediately and find out what is burning".... You also know how this scenario usually ends ;)".....

er, with the car on fire???
G.E. Love

Hahaha....

Daugher-'Isn't that smoke'?....You ' I don't see any smoke'...Daughter ' yeah, see, there it is.... You... 'where...where'....

Ends almost the same....(starter jammed on....very, very hot).
gblawson(gordon)

David... You just have to reverse polarity and it sucks the smoke right back in. You must not suck too much polluted air in with it so instal an anti polutant switch in line to turn power off when full.
Sandy
In soggy Florida
Sandy Sanders

Dave ,
Bidding for a "Lucas defibrillator safety valve with an adjustable pressure safety release" on ebay
has been beyond my current budget.
I do believe, (after re-tapping with Whitworth tap & die set and slight impact adjustment with a small hammer),
I can use a non-reversable tremi pipe and differential gurdel spring salvaged from an old Rockwell Retroincabulator.
Sandy,
I am somewhat confused about "correct polarity" ...as the TF has been converted to neg. ground.
I fear I could case a short in the cardnal grand meter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIVXw4n2g_0

Glad to hear your dancing again, Dave ....and Sandy, get your "T" to higher ground...sounds like more rain heading you way.
(legal disclaimer) I am just in a great mood one less "gray man in thin suit" in my life as of last friday (3 to go if your keeping
count) and I fixed my "sprung hinge" on drivers door yesterday. My driver's door closes again and fits great!
Cheers & Best regards,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

"...one less "gray man in thin suit" in my life as of last friday...driver's door closes again and fits great!"

Life doesn't get any better than that Dave. Hang in there. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Hi Guenter and David DuBois et al,

Sorry for the delay in replying but I've been away, and thanks for info re 'ball valve' - all is now clear and I shall fit one as soon as!

Cheers, John
J C Mitchell

This thread was discussed between 22/05/2009 and 01/06/2009

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