The Ford Barn

34fordy · 12-31-2022, 11:27 AM

Did all of the "Bob Drake" fuel pumps have the same output pressure and if so what was it?

marko39 · 12-31-2022, 11:47 AM

The new one I bought was foreign made and put out 5 psi and now resides on shelf.

34fordy · 12-31-2022, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko39

The new one I bought was foreign made and put out 5 psi and now resides on shelf.

Was it a Bob Drake? I could not find one listed on their website. I believe mine to be fairly old.

deuce_roadster · 12-31-2022, 12:32 PM

Unfortunately, if you measured 10 new currently made pumps no matter who's label was on the box, you would probably get 10 different PSI readings. If yours is too high put in a regulator, if too low, don't use it or try rebuilding it. The valves are probably leaky.

34fordy · 12-31-2022, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Unfortunately, if you measured 10 new currently made pumps no matter who's label was on the box, you would probably get 10 different PSI readings. If yours is too high put in a regulator, if too low, don't use it or try rebuilding it. The valves are probably leaky.

If Drake was selling them 30 years ago I believe that would be the age of mine. I just wondered if back in that time, they were made to put out 2-1/2 psi or less as Stromberg recommends.

deuce_roadster · 12-31-2022, 12:40 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Do you know what PSI it puts out?

34fordy · 12-31-2022, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Do you know what PSI it puts out?

Not yet. I have not had any trouble with fuel supply. I read that Stromberg only wants 2-1/2 psi max. If I was to buy and install a new 97, just trying to find out if the older pumps were manufactured to fall into the correct range. Thought maybe I could save buying the equipment for just one time use. I guess I just may have to buy the Holley regulator and gauge which I would certainly do if necessary.

marko39 · 12-31-2022, 01:01 PM

Mine was a drake bought about 10 years ago and I think it was a sale for 50.00. When I installed it I couldn’t hook up fuel lines due to the top not being indexed correctly which I fixed. Found a nice rebuilt ac pump on ebay for not a lot and it puts out 3 psi.

tubman · 12-31-2022, 03:52 PM

Two words (or maybe one) : "Charlie ny".

He may be "Banned" for some unimportant extra-curricular stuff, but he's still the best!

51woodie · 12-31-2022, 04:20 PM

Charlie rebuilt the carb and fuel pump for my '46 Coupe, and when I got them back the pump was tagged "2 1/2 PSI". I fact, Charlie contacted me to ask if he could hold sending them back, as he wanted to use my pump to run a few carbs on his test engine. When I got them back, the carb and pump were switched out for the ones I was running, and the performance in starting, idling acceleration and fuel mileage was amazing.

34fordy · 12-31-2022, 05:34 PM

[QUOTE=tubman;2192862]Two words (or maybe one) : "Charlie ny"

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aussie merc · 12-31-2022, 08:02 PM

not the time or place to go over this!! The question was to do with fuel pressure Stromberg did publish a chart that showed how to correct the fuel height according to fuel pressure but for ease of use fit a quality regulator as shimming the pump stand [as touted by some on here ] will also effect the the volume and therefore create another problem

34fordy · 12-31-2022, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie merc

not the time or place to go over this!! The question was to do with fuel pressure Stromberg did publish a chart that showed how to correct the fuel height according to fuel pressure but for ease of use fit a quality regulator as shimming the pump stand [as touted by some on here ] will also effect the the volume and therefore create another problem

With respect----I would not want to clutter the engine compartment with a regulator and associated plumbing. I just want a pump that puts out 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 psi. Evidently most pumps are too aggressive. My original question was:

Did all of the Bob Drake fuel pumps have the same pressure and if so what was it? Probably an unanswerable question! The journey goes on and I keep learning as I proceed. Thanks to all for the help.

tubman · 12-31-2022, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie merc

not the time or place to go over this!! The question was to do with fuel pressure Stromberg did publish a chart that showed how to correct the fuel height according to fuel pressure but for ease of use fit a quality regulator as shimming the pump stand [as touted by some on here ] will also effect the the volume and therefore create another problem

I believe that you're a little sensitive. I still think a "Charlie" rebuild would be the best solution for this guy's problem. We're all here to help each other out the best way we can.

Robert/Texas · 01-01-2023, 09:28 AM

I agree with tubman and others. I have fuel pumps rebuilt by Charlie on my '34 and '37 Fords and neither required regulators.

Pat/Ohio · 01-01-2023, 09:37 AM

Plus Charlie's wife (Alice) bakes delicious cookies! Happy New Year to all!

Pat

richard crow · 01-01-2023, 09:48 AM

IF YOU HAVE A PUMP THAT WAS WORKING & failed & you need to replace it. remove the big spring if not broken & put it in the new pump. the spring is what regulates the fuel pressure

John Gibson · 01-01-2023, 10:53 AM

Fuel pump pressure is controlled by the large spring under the diaphragm. I rebuilt the pump on my 33 using a new spring and found out it was putting out over 5 pounds of pressure and was overpowering the float level needle valve. Gasoline everywhere. Charlie NY advised I use my old spring which I did and wholla, I installed an in-line 0 to 5 lbs pressure gauge and mow I’m at 1 1/2 lbs pressure and the Stromberg is working just like Henry intended. Happy New Year to all of the Barners!
John

FlatheadTed · 01-01-2023, 03:03 PM

I just went through this on a 35 at a resent club run the 80 year plus gentleman was on the side of the road trying to clean his plugs ,after in the shop I tested the pump at 5lb ,A new glass bowl type with a slotted arm bush ?? . I had never seen this type ,I went through my stocks and got the best original pump I could re kitted it and all was well.

31 coupe · 01-01-2023, 08:07 PM

FYI; Pressure is resistance to flow or volume. Excess volume is what creates back pressure and that pressure is preset/balanced by the pump spring.
The diaphragm is mechanically pulled down to charge the chamber but it's the spring that returns it and if there's a greater resistance or pressure it stalls accordingly.
A very simple yet effective system.

12-31-2022, 11:27 AM	#1
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 825	Fuel pressure Did all of the "Bob Drake" fuel pumps have the same output pressure and if so what was it?

12-31-2022, 11:47 AM	#2
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Fuel pressure The new one I bought was foreign made and put out 5 psi and now resides on shelf.

12-31-2022, 12:32 PM	#4
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Fuel pressure Unfortunately, if you measured 10 new currently made pumps no matter who's label was on the box, you would probably get 10 different PSI readings. If yours is too high put in a regulator, if too low, don't use it or try rebuilding it. The valves are probably leaky.

12-31-2022, 12:40 PM	#6
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Fuel pressure Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Do you know what PSI it puts out?

12-31-2022, 01:01 PM	#8
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Fuel pressure Mine was a drake bought about 10 years ago and I think it was a sale for 50.00. When I installed it I couldn’t hook up fuel lines due to the top not being indexed correctly which I fixed. Found a nice rebuilt ac pump on ebay for not a lot and it puts out 3 psi.

12-31-2022, 03:52 PM	#9
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Fuel pressure Two words (or maybe one) : "Charlie ny". He may be "Banned" for some unimportant extra-curricular stuff, but he's still the best!

12-31-2022, 04:20 PM	#10
51woodie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada Posts: 529	Re: Fuel pressure Charlie rebuilt the carb and fuel pump for my '46 Coupe, and when I got them back the pump was tagged "2 1/2 PSI". I fact, Charlie contacted me to ask if he could hold sending them back, as he wanted to use my pump to run a few carbs on his test engine. When I got them back, the carb and pump were switched out for the ones I was running, and the performance in starting, idling acceleration and fuel mileage was amazing.

12-31-2022, 05:34 PM	#11
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 825	Re: Fuel pressure [QUOTE=tubman;2192862]Two words (or maybe one) : "Charlie ny" I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last edited by 34fordy; 12-31-2022 at 08:29 PM. Reason: poor spelling

12-31-2022, 08:02 PM	#12
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,034	Re: Fuel pressure not the time or place to go over this!! The question was to do with fuel pressure Stromberg did publish a chart that showed how to correct the fuel height according to fuel pressure but for ease of use fit a quality regulator as shimming the pump stand [as touted by some on here ] will also effect the the volume and therefore create another problem

01-01-2023, 09:28 AM	#15
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: Fuel pressure I agree with tubman and others. I have fuel pumps rebuilt by Charlie on my '34 and '37 Fords and neither required regulators.

01-01-2023, 09:37 AM	#16
Pat/Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wilmington, OH/Lakeland, FL Posts: 952	Re: Fuel pressure Plus Charlie's wife (Alice) bakes delicious cookies! Happy New Year to all! Pat

01-01-2023, 09:48 AM	#17
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,770	Re: Fuel pressure IF YOU HAVE A PUMP THAT WAS WORKING & failed & you need to replace it. remove the big spring if not broken & put it in the new pump. the spring is what regulates the fuel pressure

01-01-2023, 10:53 AM	#18
John Gibson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Coastal Georgia Posts: 131	Re: Fuel pressure Fuel pump pressure is controlled by the large spring under the diaphragm. I rebuilt the pump on my 33 using a new spring and found out it was putting out over 5 pounds of pressure and was overpowering the float level needle valve. Gasoline everywhere. Charlie NY advised I use my old spring which I did and wholla, I installed an in-line 0 to 5 lbs pressure gauge and mow I’m at 1 1/2 lbs pressure and the Stromberg is working just like Henry intended. Happy New Year to all of the Barners! John

01-01-2023, 08:07 PM	#20
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	Re: Fuel pressure FYI; Pressure is resistance to flow or volume. Excess volume is what creates back pressure and that pressure is preset/balanced by the pump spring. The diaphragm is mechanically pulled down to charge the chamber but it's the spring that returns it and if there's a greater resistance or pressure it stalls accordingly. A very simple yet effective system.