79 Mini fuel pump

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Interesting... I'm awaiting pics!

 

[BADMOON]

First attempt at posting pics

Here goes:







I'll try to get a couple more uploaded.

 

[thrashattack]

any comments on this ?and i going to be going th same thing and wanted to know if there are any tips or advice

 

[BADMOON]

Sorry for the lack of follow up on my part. After lots of frustration, I decided to install a mechanical pump. I initially installed the new, aftermarket electric pump (in- tank replacement), new filter and all new fuel lines, but continued experiencing the same problems; hard starts, runs fine then dies with no fuel getting to the carb, etc. Next, I installed 2 different in-line electric pumps (frame mounted type) but each lasted only a very short time before failing. After the first one failed, I replaced the steel pick up tube in the tank with a3/8" stainless line, thinking the early failure might be related to inadequate fuel supply through the smaller original line, but since the second pump quickly failed I don't know if the larger line was necessary or not. Issues I encountered swapping to the mechanical pump: I determined that the cam drive for the mechanical fuel pump did not exist, so I borrowed one from my '82parts truck with the 22R-- simple, direct swap; the orientation of the water neck on the original thermostat housing was pointing almost straight forward and would not allow for the installation of the mechanical pump, so I borrowed the thermostat housing from the '82 and it would not work with the carberator due to interference issues. I'm sure that with enough searching I could have sourced enough OE parts to come up with the right combination to make everything fit, but I was ready to put this frustrating problem to rest so I built an aluminum adapter plate to re-orient the thermostat housing so it wouldn't interfere with the carb and the upper radiator hose wouldn't interfere with the new mechanical pump. Once I got everything installed, it's been running like a champ. My conclusions are: the in tank electric pump was indeed factory installed; nothing appeared to be added or modified on the wiring, tank, lines etc. I'm convinced it was an electrical problem, although I tested every part of the harness multiple times and was never able to locate the bad connection, short, or whatever was causing failures. The mini is now a DD for my son and has given him zero problems since the mech pump install. I'll see if I can find some photos to post. If anyone else encounters an OE appearing electric pump on another '79, I'd sure like to know.

 

[BudKing]

The 79 trucks came stock with a in tank pump that changed in 80
Put in a mech pump on the motor and don't look back

 

[Combat Chuck]

I was looking at a '79, and it had an electric in-tank pump; this was a pretty hacked first-gen, so it could be a PO thing.
I think you're making the right choice here, mechanical pumps are cheap, available from anywhere, and are the first thing you see on the motor when you pop the hood. It takes alot more to kill a mech. pump than it takes an electric.

It also takes about 40 minutes for an inexperienced owner to do a driveway swap of their mechanical fuel pump, and they don't have to drop the tank or anything; the most disassembly we did was removing the air cleaner.

 

[tlcbtv]

I have 2 79s, one is 5-79, other is 6-79, both have electric in tank pumps.
Just when I thought I knew it all......

 

[tlcbtv]

I wonder if Non-USA trucks had the mechanical, and not electric?

 

[tlcbtv]

I also had 2 2WD 79-80 era, not sure what month, they both had mechanical fuel pumps....