Spacer on mech fuel pump?

[KingFish]

My fuel pump went out on my 89L carbed. The pump lever broke at the pivot. I seem to remember my 88L had a spacer between the pump and the block, this did not. The wear pattern also looked a bit odd. Hard to describe with out a pic.

So the question is this, should I have a spacer on the pump? I have a electric wired in right now, but plan to put a original style mech back in for reliability.

Sorry about the spelling, no word check on this comp.

Thanks guys.

[Festy46]

You need that spacer. That's probably what broke your pump. The pump was too close to the cam and was making a longer than normal stroke.

[WmWatt]

It's been so long a go I don't rmember. The Haynes manual doesn't mention a spacer and the photo doesn't show down where the pump meets the block. So I went out an looked at the car. There is what appears to be a 1/4" black plastic spacer between the pump and the engine block.

[Terry Stoner]

Yes there is a neoprene approx 1/4 spacer that needs to be installed between the block and the pump. I almost left it off mine. Junk yard??

[KingFish]

Thanks, I will have to source one soon. The electric pump lasted for 56 miles then burnt out. I had my wonderful GF pick one up in the city and drive 1.5 hours to were I drill. I had to install this one without a spacer as well. Good thing it has a lifetime!

[Banana Bonanza]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAZDA-323-ENGINE-FUEL-PUMP-Spacer-Insulator-/170832019717?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27c661c105&vxp=mtr

I think this is it. If you dont want to order offshore, look at SummitRacing website and do search for fuel pump spacer. They show one that looks like the one in the Ebay ad, but isnt listed as fitting anything Mazda or Ford. Think its for Mitsubishi and Toyota or such.

Here is another and its STEEL. But again its not listed as fitting anything Mazda or Ford. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carter-MPS10...true#vi-ilComp

Has to be correct shape and correct spacing of bolt holes. I wouldnt be best pleased to have to do it, but if desperate would custom make one out of a chunk of quarter inch thick steel that would last forever. Just use spacer gasket, which is easy to find, as a template.

I hate plastic things like this. They become obsolete and impossible to find anywhere. Steel spacer would outlast several engines. Probably lucky that we can still find mechanical fuel pumps at all. Thank goodness for Rockauto.com and ebay. The chain parts stores only stock one low pressure electric universal pump to cover ALL carb applications. Lot more hassle to properly install one of these. Unfortunately also these can fail with no warning. Ask me how I know... Mechanical pump gives some warning.

[KingFish]

Thanks man, that would be it.

[Banana Bonanza]

Slight update. The spacer sold for a 1981 Nissan 720 pickup with 2.2L engine looks lot like the Mazda. And nice thing they seem to be readily available so you can maybe compare one at some local parts store with Festiva fuel pump gasket.

That Carter spacer I gave link to in previous post seems to be for early 80s Toyota 4cyl pickup. So it is probably easily available too. I'd give it a close look cause it looks like its made steel and that would outlast several engines. Plastic gets old and brittle from age and engine heat, so used one not greatest deal.

Usually bolt spacing on fuel pumps tends to be rather generic. I once had an ancient Datsun 620 with the L20 engine. Mechanical fuel pumps were like $50 which at the time I thought was really stupid high price. I instead bought pump for some 4cyl Chev engine for like $15 from 70s something or other and used the arm off the old Datsun pump. Actually welded part of arm from the Datsun pump to the Chev pump so length and angle and all matched up perfectly. All properly reinforced of course. The mounting bolt holes in Chev pump flange matched up exactly and the flange covered the Datsun hole fine. Worked fine.

I've owned my Festie for some years now. Just remembered about 10 years ago I was in another state far from home and I was leaking oil like crazy from broken plastic fuel pump spacer. This was rural area and I did find a parts store that could order one (back then), but I didnt have time to wait couple extra days, needed to get back to my job. I cleaned everything up and made a spacer using that epoxy putty (that says it hardens like steel) sold at Wallywart and every parts store around. I actually used combination of flat washers and the putty. The steel washers kept pump properly spaced from the head and the epoxy putty plugged the gaps. When I replaced engine it was still holding. Replacement engine already had functional fuel pump and good spacer. Just heads up if you are really desperate. Obviously the washer and putty fix means I didnt use any gaskets.

[drddan]

Hmmm... I have had my 88 L for 4 years. It has never had a spacer on the mech fuel pump.....?

[twopass]

mine has a plastic spacer on it and 2 gaskets 1989 like that ebay one

[Banana Bonanza]

Hmmm... I have had my 88 L for 4 years. It has never had a spacer on the mech fuel pump.....?

Its possible somebody could have modified the fuel pump arm to allow use without the spacer, but I would think that would be highly unlikely. Your call, but might be worth pulling any pump that doesnt have a spacer and looking for wear in unusual place on the arm.