03/17/2026
85-89 Fuel Pump Assy update. Installed prototype back in September, out and back in a few times for checks. In January the feedpump failed - plastic impeller blade apparently broke off and wedged itself into the inlet, which then broke several other blades as the motor powered thru, sigh. Most larger turbine pumps are a slight variation in that the impeller blades are supported by an outer ring, hence the "turbine" description.
So, what to do? I bought every feedpump of this style I could find, lined em up for comparison, literally identical - could have all been made at the same factory. It was my predetermined belief that Delphi FE0069 was best in class for this low-pressure feed pump, nothing I saw would suggestion otherwise, so gonna assume they're all equally crappy. I refuse to sell something that can't be relied upon...
After consulting with Kyle, I have decided to push forward with the newer-style pump basket assembly used by Saab since 1990 with the ejector/venturi feed system. No moving parts to feed the main reservoir, and we do have some very reliable main pumps to choose from. Trade-off here is plastic - have I mentioned how much we dislike plastic - as replicating this in stainless just isn't going to be cost effective.
2nd prototype is now in Jon's 85 900T. J&K custom lid/clamp/seal setup on top, plastic 90's style basket below, and US-union-made TI 39mm GSS gear pump inside.