Irv, I raced a TR-4A in SCCA for 24 years, so have a bit of experience with
this beast. While others may disagree, I'll give you my opinion.
I always used 2 pumps, both to have a backup, but also to allow me to
adjust fuel pressure from the cockpit. Each pump was on a separate switch.
Both pumps had a capacity of 5 - 6 PSI. I used a pressure regulator on
one pump (usually set to 3 1/2 or 4 PSI). On the other pump there was no
regulator. Therefore, by using one pump or the other, or both, I had 3
different fuel pressures I could select from.
Most of the time, I raced using the pump with the regulator. 4 PSI seemed
to be plenty to feed the engine at full race conditions (7,000 RPM). I
also used a fuel pressure gage, so that if I noticed pressure dropping for
whatever reason, I could switch to the pump with more pressure.
One time during a race at IRP, I apparently had a blockage in the line or
carburetor. It became apparent the car was starving for fuel. I turned on
both pumps and it must have been enough pressure to clear the blockage.
The engine cleaned up, I went back to the regulated pump, and finished the
race without any additional problems (I think I rebuilt the carburetors
after that episode, just in case).
I hope this is helpful.
At 08:17 PM 1/25/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Greetings FOT,
>
>I am requesting your recommendations for electric fuel pumps for my TR4
>vintage racer, which will be returning to the track in 1999 after a long
>vacation. As I look in various catalogs, I see a variety of gallon per hour
>ratings, operating pressures, and fitting sizes. For example, the commonly
>available Facet/Bendix silver top interrupter style pump has a 30 gallon
>flow@ 2psi, 1/8" NPT fittings, and 4-5 psi maximum operating pressure. The
>same manufacturer also makes a blue top model that operates at maximum of
>6.5 to 7.5 psi, has a flow of 45 gph @ 2 psi, and has 1/4" NPT fittings.
>
>I would also like to hear pros and cons as to whether a fuel pressure
>regulator would be a good idea. My car has Stromberg 175's on it.
>
>Any and all other suggestions/recommendations gratefully accepted.
>
>Thanks much,
>
>Irv Korey
>74 TR6 CF22767U
>66 TR4A CT52499
>Highland Park, IL
>
>
>
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