Electric fuel pump questions. 1966 230.

[Paul99]

my 66 230 did a strange thing today.  Driving with the top down in the sunshine, (car hadn't been used for weeks so thought I would give it a quick drive.)  Started perfectly, drove for a few miles, just thinking everything was going really well... then it just died.  - slight splutter then engine just stopped.

I fiddled around about and got it going again.  Not sure if it was the distributer wires (which were a bit loose ) or thinking it could be the electric fuel pump. I don't believe it has ever been replaced. Cant find anything in the cars history about the pump.

Anyone had experience of a faulty pump - IE: do they tend to go or stop, but not intermittent (assuming the wiring is good)   

Is a rebuild easy? or would you suggest a total replacement/exchange?  Don't mind having a go at the rebuild but sometimes it isn't worth trying because of rebuild could be too fiddly. I believe its a short pump kit I would need. 

Suggestions please.

[Rodolfo]

Could be the coil as well. When it heats up (by temperature) the old internal insulation doesn't work anymore. You let it cool off: everything back to normal, until 20miles further. And so on.

[ctaylor738]

Usually the pumps don't die in mid-air.  Suggest check the battery and ignition system terminals for tightness or corrosion along with Fuse 4.

Cheers,

CT

[RonB]

One does not forget the possible of intermittent fuel pump relay. Act's just like a bad fuel pump.

[Paul99]

OK thanks.  Which/where is the fuel pump relay please?  I will check it out.

[ctaylor738]

No relay, pump comes on with ignition via Fuse 4.

[glenn]

The 'Tower of Fuelin'/aka Flower Pot in the gas tank maybe starved.  It holds about a quart of fuel.  It is supplied by gas entering the 11 mm(?)square annulus around the 10mm(?) gas return line into the Tower pot.  If these 4 little, almost triangles get blocked with 'crud', the quart of fuel will be gone in 4 or 5 miles(if the tank level is below the top of the pot).   The engine dies and then gas will start slowly seeping into the pot.  Takes hours depending on the resistance of the crud.   

Next time it dies, have someone squirt gas(or Starting Fluid carefully) into the intake manifold.   Turn ignition s/w to Start.  If it doesn't run, look elsewhere.
Good luck.....

[glenn]

Also, Hampshire is a 'loverlie'(My Fair Lady) place for a Pagoda....

[Paul99]

Many thanks.  Will check it out.   

~Yep Hampshire (old hampshire) is a nice place to be, but a bit too cold at the moment !