Gasket issues on a '47 Fuel Pump

[Justin Norwood]

Hello everyone!

I've been noticing that the fuel pump on my '47 Flathead has air bubbles in it, and I decided to replace its gasket. I ordered a gasket from Caddy Daddy (or somewhere like that), and received a cork one. What was interesting is that the cork gasket that I received fits INSIDE of the glass bowl...which means that the glass bowl simply seals directly on to the metal fuel pump...which doesn't work (it leaks). See my first picture for how the cork gasket fits on my bowl.

The second picture is the "original" gasket that was on the car. I doubt that it is actually "original" but it looks like it is normal gasket material (not cork) and perhaps is handmade...and it fits at the BOTTOM of the glass bowl, in between the glass and the metal fuel pump...which makes more sense to me.

Can anyone please advise me as to how this gasket is supposed to work? Did I get the wrong gasket sent to me???

Thanks in advance,
-Justin

[Jeff Hansen]

Justin,

Cork is the proper material for that gasket.

Based on your photos, I question whether you have the correct glass bowl for your pump - and maybe even more importantly, if you have the correct pump.

Can you show us a photo of the glass bowl installed on the pump?  If memory serves (I'm not at home currently), the glass bowl should fit inside the outer rim of the pump body and not rest on top of it.  Do you have a dimension for the width of glass bowl?

Jeff

[Justin Norwood]

Jeff,
You make an interesting observation! Perhaps I have a different fuel pump???

To answer your questions:
1) the inside diameter of my bowl seems to be 2 1/8”

2) the bowl fits INSIDE the fuel pump perfectly.

Imaged are attached.

Any idea of how I can assess whether this is the proper fuel pump or not? Perhaps it is from a different year???

Thanks
-Justin

[Steve Passmore]

Yes, you have the wrong gasket there Justin.  Some pumps have smaller bowls. I have no idea which pump your car should have? that's not to say you have the wrong one and it doesn't matter if you did, as long as it works but you just need a bigger gasket.  As its virtually unavailable over here I usually make my own gaskets.

[gary griffin]

On the suction side gas will evaporate and appear to be air bubbles depending on temperature and amount
of suction. If there is no leakage that may be your problem?

[Jim Miller]

I purchased cork gaskets from Cadillac Parts Ltd. Call him 856-753-6788. They have the parts.

[Bobby B]

Hello everyone!
Q: A. I've been noticing that the fuel pump on my '47 Flathead has air bubbles in it, and I decided to replace its gasket.
Q: B. Can anyone please advise me as to how this gasket is supposed to work? Did I get the wrong gasket sent to me???

A: Answer..... Air bubbles have nothing to do with the original gasket unless it was leaking all over. Trapped air, usually from Dreaded Flathead Vapor lock. One million and one threads on the forum regarding this, and how to avoid it.

B: Answer....See Steve's Post. Yes it's the wrong gasket, and you could just make your own out of cork casketing material from your local parts store.
                                                               Bobby

[Jeff Hansen]

Justin,

Thanks for taking the time to post the photos.

I concur with the others: you appear to have the wrong gasket.

Sorry, for any scare about an incorrect pump!

Jeff

[Justin Norwood]

Thanks guys. I was able to source the right gasket from BEST