-Fuel pump help please!

[steve&tammy]

Hi all, so we've got a 1987 4207 with twin 7.4 Crusaders
Port fuel pump was getting worse, so decided to replace both
Ordered the Carter 97843, flange number 60502
Long story short, we ended up ordering three of these and all three are going back to the vendor
Original Carter pumps lasted 35 years...they have a brass alloy arm with a visible spring under the arm
These newer pumps have no spring and are black steel arms
Each of the arms would get pushed by the pushrod until they bent just ever so slightly...like just enough that the pushrod would run out stroke to the point that they were not able to literally get enough pump diaphragm movement
So, here we are with 3 faulty pumps.
Problem is, trying to find a different one that I know for sure will work.
I know some folks have done the electric conversion and I'm not a fan of that route as I believe in the mechanical pump since it's worked for so long with no issues
Please chime in with what pumps you've had tremendous success with!!
Thank you

[bud37]

I can't really speak to Carter but my experience with mechanical fuel pumps over the last 20 odd years has been much like what you have found. Much of the offshore made pumps I found were very poor quality, fitting threads badly cut, cheap leaky casings etc. These issues are one thing in a car/hot rod as you can always get out and walk LOL. Remember the pumps you get will have to be marine pumps with fittings for the diaphragm leak discharge to the carb.

For the most part the reason the originals lasted was they were originally made much better.

This could be the major reason folks change to electric with oil pressure safety cutoff. Makes engine starting a little easier as well when heat soaked.

Good luck man , maybe someone here will have a good part number for you.....fingers crossed.

EDIT.... Just came to mind... to add, did you get the pushrod in there correctly, if not the arm can get bent.

[km1125]

I'm curious if you have any pictures to share. I've never seen (or maybe just never noticed) an actuator arm made of anything other than steel. It's inside the crank environment, so I wouldn't think corrosion would be an issue, even in a marine installation.

I think I still have my old pumps from when I replaced mine. If I do they're in the boxes of the new replacements. It's been many years though, so whatever I bought back then might not even be available now.