Re: [alfa] Spica Fuel Pump alternatives?

[Caxambu <caxambu@xxxxxxxxxx>]

STRONG WARNING: Do not drive a SPICA car if the low fuel pressure 
warning light comes on, esp. constant. The SPICA injection pump relies 
on a constant thruflow of fuel for cooling. The warning light indicates 
the inj. pump may not be receiving a sufficient flow, which can cause 
overheating damage (specifically the plungers?).

The best thing to do is to fix the cause of insufficient pressure/flow 
ASAP, and, in hot weather do not run the tank less than half full (to 
avoid the fuel itself heating up so much to be unable to cool the inj. 
pump). Some have also painted their fuel tank to minimize absorving heat 
from the road.

The rear filter is there to protect the fuel pump. In my experience it 
neeeds to be replaced most often. If the original is NLA, workable 
substitutions are available (should be 1/2 inch diameter inlet/outlet).

The rear hoses for tank to filter to fuel pump take 1/2 inch id; 
anything smaller may cause problems. Do not overlook that the rear 
hoses, even if they feel firm, may be clogged with black slimy silt.

If the fuel pump/filter/hoses check out OK, look at the front filter, 
fuel pressure regulator (looks like a bolt going straight down into the 
center of the top of the front filter housing), the small orfice in the 
inj. pump outlet nipple (can be soldered and redrilled slightly 
smaller), and pressure warning sensor itself. The additional FISPA 
devices I have no experience with (admit that my schooling consists of 
my one 1969 model) and leave that part to others more knowlegable.

--Caxambu
1969 Spider 1750
Seattle WA


> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 13:48:54 -0400
> From: Kevin Trent <trentkc@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] Spica Fuel Pump alternatives?
>
> My '73 Berlina has always had an overactive fuel pressure warning light 
> since I installed a rebuilt 1750 engine last July.  The light was prone to 
> coming on under hard use and acceleration or sustained high speed 
> running.  It ran fine, though I did seem to notice some very slight 
> hesitation on prolonged warning light operation (but it also uses a 11 mm, 
> 300 deg. intake cam - perhaps an alternative explanation to fuel pressure 
> for fuel starvation symptoms at high rpm).
>
> Two weeks ago my son and I drove to a bike race 250 miles away. The Berlina 
> was heavily loaded and we were driving @ 4000 rpm on the interstate.  The 
> fuel pressure warning light was on, and after 80 miles the very slight 
> hesitations turned into an inability to maintain speed.  We limped to the 
> nearest town with an auto parts store, and I purchased two feet of 3/8" 
> fuel line, then replaced the fuel tank to fuel pump fuel line which 
> eliminated the tank filter which I was hoping was clogged.  Fortunately, 
> this fix worked, and we were able to complete the rest of the trip at speed 
> with no further problems, although the fuel pressure light did light up 
> occasionally under heavy load.
>
> When I got home I tested fuel output at the inlet to the injection pump, 
> and it flows 1/2 gal/minute, which I believe is on the low side of the 
> Bosch specification (is there a spec?).  I have no way to test 
> pressure.  So I may have a dying fuel pump.  At least it does not leak 
> yet.  I've never checked the diameter of the outlet fitting on the 
> injection pump to see if it is 1/16".
>
> Here is what I found about Autozone alternatives for Spica fuel pumps:
>
> I had read that a Master E2000 would work.  My local Autozone had one for 
> $76.  Its specification are 30-40 gallon per hour flow and "70-95 pounds at 
> shutoff".
>
> Autozone's GTV6 2.5 fuel pump application is a Master E7334 for $190.  Its 
> specifications are 50 gallons per hour and "100-110 pounds at shutoff".
>
> Can anyone compare these Master specifications to those for the Bosch 2 or 
> 3 or 3 port fuel pumps used on 70's Spica Alfas?  What does "70-95 pounds 
> at shutoff" mean?  Is it the same metric as "fuel pressure"?
>
> Thanks, //KCT,  Powell TN
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