Fulvia s11.2 Carb primer pump and clock repairs.

[AndrewStacey]

Hello all, I have seen some of the other threads regarding using solid state pumps, Facet, etc, for the purpose of carb priming. At present my car has an SU in the engine bay but it's rather large and unsightly and I was going to change it for a Facet one, using that brand because it was the only one I knew of. however I have been told by a supplier that it they need to go as near as possible to the tank, as they are quote "pushers not suckers". Though I believe it would not be too much of a problem to fit it in the boot, I would rather it was under the bonnet and close to the 'Filter king I am also purchasing, as this exercise is a part of a general underbonnet tidy up. I noticed that on one thread there is mention of a 'Silver top' pump' recommended for a Fulvia, and I wonder how this compare and whether this too needs to be sighted in the boot. On a different tack I have a couple of Jaeger clocks which I wish to repair if poss, both being models with the extended chrome button, for hand alteration, Does anyone know how to get the back of to work on the inside, and should this be possible what to do when one has ?
Any advice on the above gratefully received thank you.
 

[stanley sweet]

It may have been me that mentioned the Facet Silver Top as that is what I have fitted to mine after the mechanical one gave out. I use it as the main pump, not just for priming. I was supplied it by Omicron on their recommendation. It is installed on the front inner wing (must be installed upright) and I've had it now for maybe 6 years without any trouble. In this case it definitely doesn't have to be near the tank. If you like, I'll post a photo of the installation over the weekend. I left it to the local garage to fit and they put a curl in the inlet pipe which absorbs vibrations between the pump and the body. Very simple but ingenious idea.

[lancialulu]

Like Stan I use a silver top as a main pump on my HF with a filter king set at 3psi mounted like Stan's. I have used the Facet solid state pumps for priming also fitted in the engine bay and these have even been used to get home without drama when the mech pump failed on a 1.3.

Re clocks you can carefully un peen the chromed bezel. It may not look nice when re peened but it is hidden when mounted. I have also bought in the past on ebay brand new chrome bezels. Good luck with the repair!

Tim

[DavidLaver]

I used to have a facet (and spare ready for a hot-swap) in the boot of the Aurelia.  Jason showed me at Brooklands the other day where he now has it right up in the nose of the car where its working very happily.  That car also has a filter/regulator. The advantage of having it right up the front is to cool the fuel as much as possible.

Any excuse for some photos... 

David

[lancialulu]

David's reply reminds me that Omicron had fitted (some years prior to my ownership) a silver top facet right to the front of my Aprilia as a priming pump. After priming I would switch off and use mechanical pump.....So they are good for pulling, but I have to say the my HF has from time to time exhibited the occasional fuel related stutter when on near empty tanks and going round bends at full tilt so it could be they are good for pulling air through too....

[Richard Fridd]

I think it is the Facet 'cube' shaped pumps which are not so good at 'pulling'. Also Ihave heard that the aircraft quality pumps are individually tested, rather than batch tested. On the subject of petrol temperature, the OE mechanical pump runs at engine temperature for better or worse. I have my pump near to the petrol tank with an in-line translucent fuel filter before the pump. I know the pump has it's own removable filter, but I like to monitor visually what is coming from the tank. There are also cheaper Facet copies available. Also fuel pressure should be regulated if using an electic pump as areplacement for the original I think.

[lancialulu]

It is the facet cube pump I referred to as solid state. I still have one fitted in the engine bay of my 1600 Sport which works fine pulling fuel into empty Fulvia Solex carbs after a winter lay off......

[DavidLaver]

Sucking air: Tim Burret had an additional fuel tank under the bonnet as a reserve for long bends on a near empty tank endurance racing - or when keen enough to only carry the fuel he needed for a sprint race.

David

[AndrewStacey]

Thanks all, I didn't know the silver top was a facet pump, I thought they only did the cube shaped ones, and yes Stan, if you have any photos of the installation I'd like very much to see them, thank you. As I say the current SU works very well, but is rather large.
Tim thanks for the clock advice,I had a feeling that this is how one does it but I shall now proceed with more confidence.

[stanley sweet]

Here's how it's fitted to mine: (I should point out I don't have a Filter King fitted).

[lancialulu]

Here's mine. Similar to Stan's. Note S2 have a fuel return pipe Strongly advise a FK esp if S1, Stan!

[stanley sweet]

Hi Tim - mine's an S2. I'll probably get around to an FK one day. Looking at your photo,I can't see how the FK is plumbed in? You have the fuel entering the bottom of the pump and exiting the top to the carbs as mine. Thought the FK would be plumbed into the outlet pipe to the carb? Is there something I can't see in the photo?

[stanley sweet]

OK - I think I see what's happening......................

[stanley sweet]

How do you adjust the pressure on an FK? As far as I can see there is one model that has a screw in pressure gauge for adjustment but other models don't. How are those models adjusted?

[lancialulu]

I plumb in a temporary psi pressure gauge in the outlet of the FK. With S2 it is better to restrict the return pipe as this provides some pressure fluctuation. The FK is adjusted on the top under the nut. Very nice to see the pressure being adjusted. The Fispa Mech pump is around 3 psi by design. I did and experiment once a dialled only 1 psi for my 1600HF and took it our for a fast drive. I could not find any difference in performance but for peace of mind put it back to 3psi.