5 replies to this topic

[cjhols]

Hi all,
I am fitting the fuel pump back onto the engine of my 1098 mini (1971) and noticed that the gasket supplied in the seal kit is quite thin (roughly 1mm) but the original is about 7 mm.Is it a problem to use the new one. Alternatively could I make one from the left over cork which is the same thickness as the original????
Peter

[dklawson]

Take a close look at the "gasket" you say is 7mm thick. You are likely to find that it is a 6mm thick spacer with gaskets on both sides. I believe the intent is that you retain the 7mm spacer with gaskets on both sides.

Others will surely post to this thread but in the meantime, carefully compare the length of the actuating foot/lever coming out of the new and old pumps. If the levers are the same length you will certainly need to use the old spacer to maintain the proper pump stroke.

[KernowCooper]

As said above by Doug its a spacer usually of a black colour and a gasket each side, if you wish clean off the worn/damaged gaskets from the spacer and replace with new and a little hylomar jointing compound (small wipe over gasket faces) and refit.

[tiger99]

It may also be a heat insulator to help keep the fuel cool and avoid vapour lock. The one on my most recent Mini was made of a material similar to the carburettor to manifold spacer used on many Minis, which is there for the same reason. The gaskets on mine were usually the pink stuff used on the transmission case and clutch housing etc, thicker than paper but less than 1mm thick, and of course there were two of them.

[03jkirk]

also make sure you have the correct spacer for the type of pump you are using as the very early mechanical fuel pump (1s that could be stripped and serviced) i believe had a differant thinckness of spacer compared to slightly later sealed type pumps which are most common, this must be the size or the cam might simply smash the fuel pump of the side of the engine on the first turn or could not it might just cause much slower fuel flow if not moving in the full stroke of the pump

[tiger99]

You are correct about there being two different spacers. See here:

http://www.somerford...age=page&id=162

It seems that the distance piece has a built-in (glued on?) gasket on one side, so you need only one other gasket.

Edited by tiger99, 25 January 2013 - 02:41 AM.