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  May 16, 2010 6:30 a.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  For my racer I decided I wanted to run with my alternator. Its just logical to me.

  I do not need to bring a power source to the track and makes the car reliable for enduro's should I ever decide I want to try that...
  

  So believe it or not no photos.

  I spent Friday night rewiring the electrical system to fit the new dash.

  Had to lengthen a few wires (mainly warning light wires) and made some "upgrades" that I felt the prev setup missed.

  1. the push button for the starter is coming off the kill switch. 100% power. Much better.

  2. a power block for the accessories. Much cleaner setup to power the accusump, transponder, dash warning lights and gauges.

  The alternator supported kill switch works as its supposed so I had to alter the path for the coil which feeds from the fuse panel, to a rocker switch, then into the kill switch and out to the coil.

  Testing went well. I was able rev her up, alternator field light goes out telling me she's charging on her own and I can kill the car proper.

  During the testing I ran into an issue. The fuel pump would not draw from the fuel cell.

  I removed the filter setup and the pump was able to draw, but after a few minutes the car died.

  No more clicky clicky sounds from the back end.

  The Facet pump is done.

  Anyhow I had a spare pump in the garage. Tested it out. Changed some wiring and presto she runs.

  I'm starting to think all my firing up issues were related to the pump going sour.

  I will have to order a Facet Red Top for my June race.

  
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  May 16, 2010 9:27 a.m. Vince New Reader

  Nice work on the fuel cell, Andrea. I'll likely be using the same one. I'm wondering if I should stick with the mechanical fuel pump on the GT6 or Spitfire, everyone seems to be going electric...

  VangoughV

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  May 16, 2010 6:17 p.m. OFracing Reader

  In reply to Vince:

  Electric is the way to go. Better flow than a stock pump. My race Spit doesn't have a choke on it, I turn the fuel pump on for a bit to prime the carbs and save wear and tear on the starter. Just make sure you match the output pressure of the pump to something your carbs can tolerate. Electric fuel pumps come in several pressure ranges.

  The float valves in my SUs won't stop more than 5 PSI or so, I put a pressure regulator at the firewall to make sure I don't flood the engine with too much fuel. I use a pump that has an internal regulator but I still put a secondary one in-line. It's probaly over kill but I had a bad experiece in the past.

  I used to race a F500 car, like a go kart powered by a 2 stroke, snowmobile engine. The stock fuel pump for that engine was powered by engine vacuum but it had problems getting enough flow, pulling gas through a long hose from a remote tank at high speed. Starve, lean, holed piston ,go home.

  I went to the local auto parts store and picked up an electric pump. Worked OK at home, went to the track, and left the fuel pump running while I got strapped in, maybe 5 minutes, no rush. When I finally got around to starting it, the engine wouldn't keep running.

  Missed the session, kept working to get the engine running for qualifing. The plugs were fouled so I changed them and tried it again, still no luck. One of the experienced F5 guys came over to help.

  After a while I told him that I had recently put a electric pump on the car but I had checked that it was working well, was pushing a good stream into a cup with the carb hose disconnected. He started looking at my setup and asked where the pressure reg was or was I running a return line to the tank for the excess fuel. It had never occurred to me. Turns out it's fairly common, the pressure blows past the float valve and runs into the engine. Never a problem with the vacuum powered pump, only runs when the engine is turning over.

  These are scavenged 2 strokes so the fuel pools in the crankcase. He knew what had happened and just what to do. I pulled the exhaust pipes off, snaked a line into the crankcase and siphoned out nearly a quart of gas. Put a compressed air hose on the carb side and used the air to flush out the remaining gas. Fired it up with new plugs, no carbs or header and it ran for nearly 2 minutes on the fumes in the engine, pretty little flame balls shooting out the exhaust ports, just like a drag racer.

  You race, you learn, you make friends. Not a bad way to spend your time

  mike

  63 Spitfire

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  May 16, 2010 7:08 p.m. VClassics Reader

  Just a few general notes:

  I don't recommend running SUs at anything over 3 PSI, even with the latest viton-tipped valves (or whatever those are). The floats are just too small to control the valves above that. Webers like 4 PSI.

  Those little in-line regulators with the twist dial on top are not in any way calibrated in PSI -- they are just numbers. The Holley regulators that adjust with a hex wrench are much more consistent and don't develop leaks. A lot of folks put a permanent gauge in the fuel hose close to the carbs, so it's easy to check pressure anytime the engine is running.

  Carter makes a good electric pump with an internal regulator, but it's heavy and can be cumbersome to install. I've had very good luck with the little clicky Facet pumps mounted at a 45 degree angle as recommended in the instructions.

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  May 17, 2010 5:33 a.m. aeronca65t HalfDork

  All looks good!

  For what it's worth, here's the Holley fuel pressure regulator I use:

  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-12-804/

  I'm running about 3 psi. The Weber(s) on your FIAT should be OK with 3 to 4 psi.

  By the way, I tried a lower-pressure Facet pump with a range of about 2 to 4 psi (designed to use in old VWs) and it couldn't keep up......would not go past 5000 in 4th gear. So I am back to my original higher pressure Facet pump regulated back.

  Enjoy Every Sandwich ~ W.Z.

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  May 17, 2010 10:08 a.m. engineerted New Reader

  Andre'

  Check the voltage at the pump, those facet pumps don't like it when the voltage drops and depending on your battery location and wire size you may only see 8-9volts at the pump. I had this happen, change the pump twice times, turned out to be the toggel switch had a lot of resistence, and change to a differnt switch and all was well.

  Are you going to run at Mosport in June? If so look for Don Tuscany in a light blue Fiat 124 Abarth spider,

  Ted

  Ted

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  May 17, 2010 10:28 a.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  I was getting 12V to the pump, but will check it on the bench later on.

  I submitted my entry for the June race. So I have to work harder now to prep the car.

  Andrew told me Don was coming. So that will be 4 124's and 2 500's. We might out number the Triumphs!

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 17, 2010 2:41 p.m. OFracing Reader

  In reply to André Rousseau:

  "We might out number the Triumphs! "

  Maybe at the start but at the checker......

  Just standing up for the marque

  mike

  63 Spitfire

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  May 18, 2010 9:18 a.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  hehehe

  Gotta have some fun.

  A.

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 18, 2010 11:31 a.m. Vince New Reader

  Hopefully I'll be adding to the Triumph Camp next year. Just lining up the purchase of a 1970 GT6+ in a couple weeks, I hope it pans out.

  Have a good time at the track guys, I'm envious.....

  VangoughV

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  May 19, 2010 12:48 a.m. dougie Reader

  I run a holley regulator set at 3.5-4 psi to feed the triple 2" SU HD8's on my big Healey. I replaced the SU double fuel pump with a Facet and it really smooth the flow out. With my latest engine build the 6-cylinder jumps to 6000-6500 rpm quicker then I ever thought possible.......... Fuel delivery hasn't been an issue.

  Vince I'm glad to hear your leaning towards a LBC. You'll have plenty of support at any track you go to.

  Dougie

  

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  May 19, 2010 12:18 p.m. Gary Reader

  Doug, I'm considering an electric fuel pump for my Spitfire. Which Facet pump are you using?

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  May 20, 2010 1:23 a.m. dougie Reader

  I use the Facet Silver Top model. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=85 Very happy with this upgrade.

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  May 20, 2010 5:12 a.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Yeah think I'll put in a quick order soon.

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 23, 2010 7:26 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Long weekend is a good thing ;)

  

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 23, 2010 11:12 p.m. dougie Reader

  The more long weekends you send in the shop/garage the more fun you'll have doing this.

  Dougie

  

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  May 24, 2010 4:38 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  AWESOME SHOT DUDE.

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 24, 2010 8:56 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Working with the belts and seat tonight.

  Moving it all forward about an inch.

  When I was belted in I could not shift into 5th.

  Too close and I'm on top of the steering wheel and my knee hits the wheel.

  So need to find the happy medium.

  A.

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 26, 2010 8:07 p.m. Vince New Reader

  Looking good Andre', must be fun working out the details.

  Are you at DAC this weekend with Fiona? I won't be there but I'll be at the Vintage Festival in June with my GT6 for show, are you bring yours or will you be on the track?

  VangoughV

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  May 26, 2010 8:38 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Hey Vince nothing this coming weekend.

  Well no racing I will be splitting between race car prep and packing.

  Plan is to be at Mosport in June for sure.

  I put my race application in earlier this month. Already have a few pledges for the Ride For Kids...

  A.

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 26, 2010 8:39 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  BTW see you in June.

  Should be a few of us FIAT's camped together.

  My poor GT6 is packed away in my folk's garage... SNIFF.

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  May 28, 2010 12:53 p.m. Vince New Reader

  Sorry about the GT6.. I'm in a similar situation, this week my rotor came apart, the metal tab dropped into the bottom of the distributor and shredded the distributor, CRAP!! Off the road for a couple weeks :( I'll look forward to meeting in June.

  Cheers

  VangoughV

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  May 28, 2010 1:02 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Ouch...

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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  June 2, 2010 9:45 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Postmortem on the old cube pump shows it got stuck. We're playing with it. If it comes back it will be a spare.

  New one showed up today.

  http://www.124racer.com/gallery/10/0602_Facet/index.html

  

  1968 Triumph GT6 Mk1

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