1940 Fuel pump. Thinking out loud.

[Poncholover]

At some point, I will need a fuel pump for my car. Sure not interesting in paying $250+.
Would it seem reasonable to buy a rebuilt Pontiac, Buick or Olds pump of the same vintage and grab the diaphragms & check valves?
It seems doubtful that they re invented the fuel pump for each division.
At the very least, it might make a good road spare...

[V63]

Maybe consider adding an electric by the tank? They are more accommodating to the alcohol blended fuels and can also maintain A higher pressure to reduce vapor lock.

I am hesitant to plumbing an electric thru the mechanical pump because a failure of its diaphragm, while using the electric,  could introduce fuel into your crank case.

[wheikkila]

You can disconnect the two lines from the pump and with a small amount of fuel hose and a couple clamps you can run off the electric fuel pump. This is very easy to do on the side of the road.
            Thanks Wayne

[tmdeturck]

You can still get the rebuild parts for these.  The replacement diaphragms and rubber parts today are made with ethanol-resistant materials.  I'd suggest you get one of these rebuild kits and save it for when you need it.  It's not a huge deal to rebuild one of these mechanical fuel pumps, but it does take time and patience.

If you're looking to have a complete "hot swap" road spare, then I'd buy a pump that needs rebuild and get the rebuild kit- because I like the adventure!  But you could always buy an already rebuilt one, make sure it was recently rebuilt though with the ethanol resistant materials.  It's a little tricky making sure you buy the right one though - I've found there is a lot of mis-information and assumptions about vehicle applications posted on the places like eBay and craigslist.

[Jamurray]

I concur with the electric fuel pump approach. All my stock pump was doing was providing vacuum for the wipers - a fact I discovered the hard way on a trip back from Cadillac Day at Lars Anderson in Brookline, Massachusetts. When I pulled the pump I forgot to hook the vacuum line to the manifold. No vacuum; no wipers. Kids, don't try this at home.

The electric works well, but I get a little nervous thinking about a failure on the road. There is no easy way to replace it lying on my back in some rest area on I-40 in New Mexico.

[Poncholover]

Good thoughts, all.
Danke.