[Rovernet] Electronic versus points fuel pump

[magnet at ican.net]

Well, I have to say that everyone who has contributed to this thread has 
made valid points (sorry!) and I agree with them.  I have never been a 
fan of electronics in cars -- too fragile in a hostile environment.  But 
after having had four or five points-type pumps fail in over 50 years 
and countless miles in my Rover 90, I put in an electronic SU from 
Messrs. Burlen two years ago. Some 3000 miles later, no problems.  But I 
carry a spare pump just in case.  One nice thing about the 90 is that 
the pump lives in a little house in the boot, and you can change it in 
10 minutes or so.

Two of those pump failures were memorable.  One, ages ago, had me riding 
in the boot tapping the pump with the wheelbrace to keep it ticking, 
while my wife drove the car home.  I've often wondered what following 
cars thought of that.  The other, about five years ago, was on the Maine 
Turnpike.  That was much less amusing, but by that time I had learned to 
carry a spare, so it ended happily enough.

Most of the problems with my 1987 Rover 825 ("Sterling") have been 
failures of various electronic devices (and these were not from Mr Lucas 
-- most of them were from European or far-Eastern sources), and this 
hasn't done a lot to change my feeling about electronics in cars.   On 
the other hand, fitting a Pertronix electronic ignition to my 1970 3500S 
has been a great success. The car runs better, and the timing stays 
accurate.  It's been in there for about five years and 20,000 miles, 
with no maintenance and no trouble.  But I carry a spare distributor and 
the necessary tools in the boot, just in case.

Whichever way you go, perhaps the real answer is to carry a spare and 
hope for the best!

Cheers,

  -- Bill Daddis

PS: Just to be fair, I think today's car electronics are far more 
reliable than they used to be, but whether they are good for 50 years is 
an open question.  But you can say the same for the cars.

===========================================================================================================================

On 30-Apr-2024 11:15 a.m., Steven Dibdin via Rovernet wrote:
> You can get modern SU pumps that look like the originals, but with 
> electronic triggers instead of points. That would be the best of both 
> worlds if you want originality. Points will eventually fail and need 
> maintenance, electronic pumps will last longer and be maintenance 
> free. Just my penny's worth.
>
> S-
>
> On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 11:10 AM Gordon Reddy via Rovernet 
> <rovernet at rovernet.org> wrote:
>
>     Hi All,
>        Probably opening a can of worms here, and I think it all comes
>     down to whether you want to spend $36 more ($712 versus $674).
>     Does any body have any strong views regarding the 2 options?
>        1966 P5 3 litre double fuel pump (2 in main & reserve, 1 out)
>     Cheers,
>     Gord
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