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Leaking Fuel Pump

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JimF
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Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by JimF » Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:06 pm

I started up my 1930 Model 100 yesterday and thought I smelled gas. I should mention that this a 350 from the 70's. I shut it down and looked at the mechanical fuel pump. It was dripping just a little but I could tell it had been because the bilge was really clean underneath it. Not the typical greasy bilge.
So I want to replace the pump but to do so would require pulling the engine because the pump is low on the side of the engine and between the engine and stringer. Not enough clearance to pull it away from the engine. Now I am thinking of installing an electric pump on the stringer near the transmission. There is plenty of room and the fuel line is right there. I think I want it to come on when I turn the key so couldn't I pick up power from the wire that goes to the coil? Any thoughts on safety issues or pump recommendations would be appreciated.
1930 Chris-Craft Model 100 20' "MOXIE"
1940 Chris-Craft Red and White 25' "Old Paint"
1946 Chris-Craft Sportsman 25' "CinCity"

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Matt Smith
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by Matt Smith » Mon Aug 10, 2020 6:19 pm

Oh God! If you dont know than who does... Everyone run. The world is ending.. Jim, say it aint so. Say you are teasing us? AHHHHHHHHHHH
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman
1937 16' Special Racer
1968 40' Rice Trawler
1968 11' Crab Skiff
2018 Hole in my head

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drrot
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by drrot » Mon Aug 10, 2020 6:30 pm

First of all you must have listened to "Lift and sniff" AL. Second of all do it right!! Install a marine, mechanical pump :P
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

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Matt Smith
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by Matt Smith » Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:01 pm

The old lift and sniff has saved most of us several times.
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman
1937 16' Special Racer
1968 40' Rice Trawler
1968 11' Crab Skiff
2018 Hole in my head

WoodyBoater.com

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mbigpops
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by mbigpops » Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:02 pm

If you mount the electric pump low in the boat away from the engine then it cannot leak on anything hot and ignite. That is good.

Jim has a good point on the fumes though. In a car the fuel leaks it drips out on the ground. As long as you cut a hole in the bottom under the pump you should be okay 8)

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

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JimF
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by JimF » Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:19 pm

I like the idea of just cutting a hole in the bottom of the boat so the gas just drips out. Would be perfect until I lower the boat from the lift. Then could get tricky. I spent a week last winter trying to get the engine aligned to eliminate a pesky low speed vibration. I lifted the engine just enough to put new wood in the engine mount bolt holes and then redialed and fastened. I am not touching that because it is very smooth now..
I will go electric and text you all pictures when I blow up and shoot across the sky like a comet!!
1930 Chris-Craft Model 100 20' "MOXIE"
1940 Chris-Craft Red and White 25' "Old Paint"
1946 Chris-Craft Sportsman 25' "CinCity"

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Matt Smith
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by Matt Smith » Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:19 am

The hole in the boat is brilliant. I vote for that. PLEASE TAKE PICTURES! PLEEEEASE! I need clicks and exposions and sinking is gold click bait
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman
1937 16' Special Racer
1968 40' Rice Trawler
1968 11' Crab Skiff
2018 Hole in my head

WoodyBoater.com

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maritimeclassics
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by maritimeclassics » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:20 am

If its the only way for now I say go for it but like Jim said do it right with a Marine grade pump and with a oil pressure safety switch. You should never run a mechanical fuel pump with out a oil safety switch to turn off the pump when theirs no oil pressure.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
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Ph# 231-486-6148

Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout

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drrot
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by drrot » Tue Aug 11, 2020 11:32 am

Matt Smith wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:19 am
The hole in the boat is brilliant. I vote for that. PLEASE TAKE PICTURES! PLEEEEASE! I need clicks and exposions and sinking is gold click bait
Probably would have worked a while back when there was no water in your lake :lol:
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

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Captain Nemo
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by Captain Nemo » Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:02 pm

maritimeclassics wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:20 am
If its the only way for now I say go for it but like Jim said do it right with a Marine grade pump and with a oil pressure safety switch. You should never run a mechanical fuel pump with out a oil safety switch to turn off the pump when theirs no oil pressure.
I think you mean an electric fuel pump, don't you?
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.

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JimF
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by JimF » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:48 am

I am trying to understand the concept of the oil pressure safety switch. If I lose oil pressure there will be a big noise and the engine will stop. I guess the electric pump could continue to run but doesn't it turn off and on to create pressure, kind of like a thermostat?
Also, after the big noise I would probably turn off the key and the power to the pump. Whose safety are we talking about here?

I can see a real danger if something happened to the fuel line between the pump and the carb but I don't see what that would have to do with oil pressure.
If I do get one of these switches, where do I screw it in to the engine?
1930 Chris-Craft Model 100 20' "MOXIE"
1940 Chris-Craft Red and White 25' "Old Paint"
1946 Chris-Craft Sportsman 25' "CinCity"

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Captain Nemo
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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by Captain Nemo » Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:14 am

Yup, you figured out the worst case there, a break in the fuel line. The pressure switch will stop the electric pump when the engine stalls. Without it, the pump will continue to pump your bilge full of fuel until the ignition switch is turned off. I am a fan of mechanical pumps so, I don’t know the specifics of the installation of the switch.
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.

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Re: Leaking Fuel Pump

Post by sproat3 » Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:53 am

Not sure if you are still looking for info on how to install an electric fuel pump. We did this on our 1960 Capri. The wiring diagram is attached. The wiring allows the fuel pump to run while cranking the engine, then only allows it to continue to run if the oil pressure has reached the setpoint of the pressure switch once the key is turned to ON. The proper fuel pump to use is a marine grade pump. Summit Racing has them. We used the Carter P4389 (12V).
Fuel pump wiring diag.pdf
(44.88 KiB) Downloaded 112 times
1960 Chris Craft Capri (Tahoe Heidi)

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