I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

[wildmaninal]

I was thinking of tapping into the air port on a fuel pump that I have and adding a slip on hose fitting to hook the air pipe off of this little 1959 5.5hp Johnson. Then trying to find a place to mount the fuel pump. I've seen the threads on converting in the past and just read them again. I picked up a pressure tank today for $5 (yes $5), I took the top off of it to inspect the inside it was actually in good shape but of coarse the gasket is bad.

Would I hurt the fuel pump by tapping into it or by possibly drilling the hole a little bigger?
Has anybody tried doing the conversion this way?

Here is an example of what I'm talking about, I was thinking that I might be able to find a smaller fitting then the one shown in the picture. I also had in mind of taking a slip on fitting/pipe out of one of these old motorcycle carbs and seeing if it would fit in the hole.

 

[F_R]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

I guess you know you would have to take the pump apart before drilling and tapping on it , right? You can't simply use the air hose fitting as a pulse source as-is. You have to go in and remove the pressureizing check valve and block off one side. I suppose you have also read about that in your research, right? I haven't tried it, but others have. I'll withhold my personal opinion.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

I was only toying with this "idea". I have already had this pump apart to check the condition of the diaphram, I put the darn thing back together for the time being so I wouldn't lose any parts. I wasn't going to take a chance on drilling the hole bigger with it together and getting metal shavings in pump or drilling to far.

I don't recall reading about the check valve. Sounds like mission impossible.

I might just end up using the fuel pump on another (newer) motor that is missing the pump and get it running tomorrow if all goes well. I might as well try and find a good gas resistant gasket material and make a gasket for the gas tank.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

Manimal,
Go to ABC auto parts or another car parts place and ask for some 1/16 or 1/32 black felpro fiber paper gasket material and trace out and make your own gasket. I do it all the time for motor gaskets as well. You can get enough material for 12 bucks to make all kinds of stuff. I like to use a single hole paper punch to make my bolt holes. I'm going to try to find myself a leather punch set to do the same for different size holes. Saves me lots of money. I like to use a LITTLE dab of gasket sealant on the tanks but it's really not all that necessary, just for reassurance. I also have converted my '53 10hp to a fuel pump by taking out the check valve under the intake and plugging one of the holes with a vaccum line plug and it works great. To be honest, though, I don't really like the method and if I ever do another conversion, I will drill and tap one of the exhaust covers for my pulse vacuum. Myself, I really like my pressure tanks and the old pressure tank system keeps it nice and original/clean looking under the cowl. I actually used a briggs and stratton plastic pulse vacuum fuel pump for my 2 conversions. But again, the mikuni pumps look much more sturdy/reliable. I probably will never do another conversion unless it's to get an old motor fixed up for a friend since I don't like giving up my tanks.
Later,
JBJ

 

[Lakester]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

Manimal,
Go to ABC auto parts or another car parts place and ask for some 1/16 or 1/32 black felpro fiber paper gasket material and trace out and make your own gasket. I do it all the time for motor gaskets as well. JBJ

hello,

have u or anyone tried to source material to redo the rubber diaphram inside the pulse fuel pump?

regards
lakester

 

[jbjennings]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

Sorry Lakester,
Knock on wood, I've never had a bad diaphragm. I got 2 tanks the other day that were actually HEAVY after emptying the "gas" from them because they had about an inch of paraffin-like crud at the bottom but the diaphragms were still good (I think). They pumped gas out anyway, so I'm pretty sure they are. The gaskets were worse than shot, though.
sorry,
JBJ

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

But again, the mikuni pumps look much more sturdy/reliable. I probably will never do another conversion unless it's to get an old motor fixed up for a friend since I don't like giving up my tanks.
Later,
JBJ

JBJ thanks for the gasket info. To be honest I might be selling the 5.5hp to a relative and I didn't want to let the tank go either . I have 3 other motors that I can use that tank on, and I basically stole that tank for the price I paid for it.

I seen a pic of the mikuni fuel pump conversion and I really like that setup. If the price was right and the pumps were easy to find I might go that route.

Never thought about using a paper hole puncher to make the bolt holes, great idea.

 

[Lakester]

Re: I need your thoughts 2 line to 1 conversion idea.

Sorry Lakester,
Knock on wood, I've never had a bad diaphragm. I got 2 tanks the other day that were actually HEAVY after emptying the "gas" from them because they had about an inch of paraffin-like crud at the bottom but the diaphragms were still good (I think). They pumped gas out anyway, so I'm pretty sure they are. The gaskets were worse than shot, though.
sorry,
JBJ

hello,

thanks jb. i took my pump apart to ck some things. it works fine. i noted one area to watch. where edge diaphram gets sandwiched. well, found a NIB NOS pump by part # so since i do respect the perks of a fresh fuel pump, i plan to check my work on the old one, and then replace it. no kits avail, but all looks good inside. just clear by looking the pump had made one or two passes around the lake. LOL~

making ur own gaskets is fun. kinda artsy-craftsy stuff. my dad is an exp Anp, etc... yrs ago he showed me how to make the holes for bolt holes in homemade gasket... use round end of small ball peen.

regards
lakester