Odd fuel setup.

[Yatesy]

Hi,

I seem to have a electric fuel boost pump fitted in the bay with a push and release button for operation in the dash.
Ithas a feed from the tank and then can bypass the mechanical pump and go straight to the carb.
Ever seen this setup before and is it a good idea to keep it?

 

[S0updragon]

Could it have been fitted if owner had trouble with fuel evaporation in carb when starting a hot engine??

 

[Yatesy]

Yeah that’s what I thought and came to the conclusion it must’ve been fitted for a reason as there’s a lot of effort involved by the looks.
Was just seeing if anyone had seen similar on any of their vans?

 

[Panky]

Looks like an SU pump off a Minor or similar and the fact it doesn't have a permanent on switch would suggest, as SOupdragon has said, that it's for a boost when starting a hot engine (common fault on a Commer). Quite an ingenious solution but if you've re-built you old pump then hopefully you won't need it again.

 

[dodgeram]

A momentary button does sound like a boost system, but to act as a reserve pump for a mechanical pump failure, the system might need a closing tap between the T and the mechanical pump.

 

[Panky]

That's the beauty of the SU pump, they have in-built non-return valves so when the engine is running on the mechanical pump no fuel will return to the tank. Same with the mechanical pump actually.