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Lee, Quite a while ago, there was a big debate and discussion on this list about the legalities of using an automotive fuel pump, or automotive fuel pump parts, on an Ercoupe/Aircoupe. You should be able to look up that discussion in the archives if you are interested. I'm not going to get into another debate on this subject, but the short story is that I believe that you can't legally use an automotive fuel pump or parts of the pump without the proper paperwork being completed. Others disagree. Maybe I am wrong. It has happened before. Below is the response that I wrote once before when this subject came up. The info about the three different types of pumps, and the differences, and over-stroking and under-stroking the pump came from an AC Delco engineer who worked in the fuel pump division of AC Delco. I spoke with him personally back in the mid 80's. In a message dated 10/23/2005 3:53:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, ######## writes: Have had no luck on finding an old Ford or Case tractor pump. Any other Ideas. ########, I don't understand why you are looking for an old Ford or Case tractor fuel pump. The fuel pumps for these Continental engines have specific part numbers that are to be used for the specific models of the engine. The difference between the part numbers is in the design and geometry of the fuel pump actuator arm and linkage. If the wrong pump is used on an engine, the pump will either be over-stroked or under-stroked. If the pump is over-stroked, the mechanism could bind and the arm could break off, falling in the crankcase and wiping out the engine. If the pump is under-stroked, the pump will not keep the header tank full. If either of these events occur and you end up crashing the plane, the insurance company will have a perfectly valid reason to walk away from your claim Why don't you get the correct new pump from Skyport or Aircraft Spruce or any of the other places that sell them? Every time I read about someone using an unapproved part in an airplane I am reminded of the accident report about the Piper Cherokee that caught fire in flight, crashed and killed four people. The cause of the in-flight fire was that some "mechanic" used an unapproved clamp on the exhaust system. Seems that the approved part had a small alignment pin built into it that kept the clamp in position when the exhaust system expanded and contracted. The unapproved automotive part didn't have the little pin built into it. The exhaust system came apart in flight and four people died. The sad part is that these four people didn't even know about the decision that had been made that led to them being killed. Nobody asked them their opinion about using an automotive exhaust clamp. This article should be required reading for every airplane owner who thinks he or she is smarter than the engineers who specified which part to use where. http://www.aopa.org/asf/asfarticles/sp9802.html In part, this article says: <<"Of particular interest to the investigators were the exhaust clamps used to attach the muffler to the exhaust stacks. According to the Piper parts list, a special clamp with a pin on the inside (see next page) is used to hold the muffler in place. The pin penetrates a hole in the muffler and in the exhaust stack to prevent the pipes from separating. The accident aircraft had the appropriate alignment holes in the pipes and the muffler, but automotive-type clamps without pins had been installed. The NTSB cited the probable cause as the improper installation of incorrect exhaust clamps by unknown persons, which led to an exhaust system disconnect and a subsequent in-flight engine compartment fire.>> OK, I'll climb down off my soap box now. I'm wrapped up in firesleeve and fiberfrax. Let the flaming begin! Wayne DelRossi Alon N5618F ============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
