Fuel Pump

After cleaning the boot and refurbishing it I asked Riley to start the car for a bit of a warm up. It wouldn’t go and after the usual looks at the fuel filter and stuff thought that it might be the immobiliser. Checked the spark from the plugs and all OK so it must be fuel. None coming through the filter and none reaching the carbies. Bugger! New fuel pump needed. Went underneath and then took off the rear wheel for a look and couldn’t make out the kind of fuel pump on it as it didn’t look anything like the pics of them either in the spare parts catalogue or even of the ones posted on line. Anyway, turns out to be a New Zealand OME pump from a while back so obviously this is at least the second pump in its life. Went on line and ordered an original SU Fuel pump with new braided houses. Also bought a few bags of seals and grommets and a grab bag of 7/16” and ¼” assorted bolts – makes sense if paying for the postage.

The new SU pump arrived but I didn’t research properly and so discovered that it comes without banjo fittings. Quick order through to MGOCSpares to get the fittings – postage was more than the spares! Waiting for another 2 weeks for the parts.

Eventually get the new fuel pump and go to fit it on and then I notice a couple of extra wires going from one of the connections on the fuel pump onto the boot. Now remember, the boot has been scraped and rubbed and things disconnected and painted again. Followed the wired into the boot and they end at a toggle switch near the back where the old speakers were once placed in. Obviously while refurbishing the boot, I’ve gone and knocked the toggle and not knowing what it was for, didn’t consider it of any importance. Turns out it’s a cheap anti-theft idea of isolating power from the fuel pump. Put the new SU on the shelf

Anyway, got Harold going by putting the old pump back on and toggling the switch in the boot from “Off” to “On” so that we could drive to the annual MG Show & Shine car display in Bayswater. Going through the Graham Farmer tunnel, dropping down through the gears was a noisy bit of fun in an old convertible British sports car! Joined the MG Car Club of WA club on the day too. Driving back down the freeway and through the Poly Pipe again, there was an orange MGBGT ahead on our right; a beautiful MGTC ahead, an MGTC behind and a red MGB beside us going through the tunnel and dropping down through the gears and up again brought about some brilliant exhaust burbling noises! So glad we got Harold ready for the weekend in time!