Removing and blanking off mechanical fuel pump

[mr_nunn]

Hi folks,

I have an oil leak coming from my old mechanical fuel pump (2L Aircooled engine). The fuel pump is redundant as there is an electric one fitted. So it seems like a good solution would be to remove the old pump.

I have picked up a blanking plate that seems suitable (http://www.justkampers.com/127-30-3-4-0 ... -1983.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

I wondered if anyone could advise on the process please.

- Is it just as simple as unscrewing the fuel pump, removing, and screwing on the blanking plate?
- I understand there will be a pushrod - what do I do with this - remove it?
- Is anything else needed to seal it all off (is a gasket needed)?
- Is there anything else I need to know?

Thanks for any advice o wise ones!

[tobydog]

I removed the pushrod when I did mine. For the gasket, make one up with some gasket paper -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GASKET-PAPER- ... 1462465314" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mocki]

You DO need to take the push rod out

[mr_nunn]

tobydog and Steve - thanks for the tips. I will have a go - pushrod out, DIY gasket in, as you suggest. Cheers!

[mr_nunn]

Just wrapping this up since I got round to doing this job last night.

It was a bit fiddly, and not too pleasant lying in the gutter of a London street to do it - but there we go - oh for a driveway!

I cut out some gasket paper to make the seal as suggested above (thanks!).

Job went generally ok - but the tinware just behind the pump got in the way and did not want to budge (same issue as in this old thread: http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=146336" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;); but eventually got it out the way. then fuel pump came off easily enough - just 2 bolts. I had to reinsert the plasticky spacer piece, because without it the bolts bottomed out. Also had to add a thick washer under each bolt head for the same reason because the blanking plate was slightly thinner than the original plate on the fuel pump. If anyone is tackling this job in future, maybe having some shorter bolts to hand would avoid these issues.

So far so good though - took it for a drive today and not a drop of oil underneath so it seems to have done the trick...