MG Car Repair: MGB Fuel Pump, screw holes, psi pressure

Question
Howard
I have an mgb 73. When I bought it, it had a generic fuel pump mounted under the hood which didnt work. It still ahd the original fuel pump on the car which I took off and stripped. I cleaned the points, valves etc and got it working. I placed it back on the car and it has worked well for the last few months, however now I have connected the system back up and tried it again, it clicks slowly and then stops when there is some pressure, pumping almost no fuel (except whn it is first turned on, it gives a big spurt then nothing)
Does this mean the fuel pump is shot?
Andy

Answer
Hi Andy,
Not necessarily, the diaphragm may just be out of adjustment. Remove the pump and it's plastic points cover and remove the iron solenoid from the aluminum base.

Clean the contact points again with a points file or emory paper. Push the center of the diaphragm in and watch the points rocker flip over. Then screw the diaphragm in one screw hole  at a time until when pushed in the rocker will not flip over. Now, unscrew the diaphragm about 5 screw holes and stop and test by pushing the center of the diaphragm in with your thumb and the rocker should flip over. Reassemble and connect to a battery and it should run fast without stopping.

Do not try to test the pump out loose in gas as the points do spark. You can test it with lines connected and the intake line in some non flamable fluid and it should pump from 1.5 PSI to 3 PSI pressure and when at pressure it will stop running but maintain the pressure and maybe click on occasions. That is how it operates in the car it runs fast until it builds pressure and then it slows to just an occasional click.

The solenoid only retracts the diaphragm and the spring is the actual pump. (if you installed the valves correctly)

Howard