Horseoholic 193 #1 Posted March 10, 2023 Hey folks , need some opinions on a replacement fuel pump for my 71' Charger 12 automatic , It's got the Kohler K301 , looks like in it's life span the PO replaced the fuel pump at one time with a plastic type which has ran good for the years that I have owned it , Now the pump has failed as I use the clear fuel hoses and can see when cranking the engine I can see fuel on the inlet side and nothing being sent to the carb. on the outlet. Question I have for you all is after searching on the web for a replacement pump I'm a little gun shy after reading some of the reviews on alot of the fuel pumps listed for sale (all plastic styles) and was wondering if anyone may have had luck with a particular brand of pump ? I would like to keep it as a mechanical fuel pump instead of converting it to electrical ( just my preference ) any insight is greatly appreciated . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,790 #2 Posted March 10, 2023 13 minutes ago, Horseoholic said: any insight is greatly appreciated . I've had good luck with the Rotary brand plastic pumps about $50. The Kohler pump is good too, still plastic and about $150 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,813 #3 Posted March 10, 2023 Check your oil and don't attempt to start the engine until you KNOW there is no Gasoline in the engine oil. A failed diaphragm in a mechanical or vacuum fuel pump is a primary cause of failure and will allow gasoline into the crankcase. That is why many of us have converted to electric pumps. If you don't want to go to an electric fuel pump I would suggest you get a used metal fuel pump and a rebuild kit from https://www.a-ztractor.com/ or any other source of your choice. 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,507 #4 Posted March 10, 2023 45 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Check your oil and don't attempt to start the engine until you KNOW there is no Gasoline in the engine oil. A failed diaphragm in a mechanical or vacuum fuel pump is a primary cause of failure and will allow gasoline into the crankcase. That is why many of us have converted to electric pumps. If you don't want to go to an electric fuel pump I would suggest you get a used metal fuel pump and a rebuild kit from https://www.a-ztractor.com/ or any other source of your choice. Excellent advise - oil diluted with gasoline will ruin the engine. IF you find that there is gas in the oil - fix the pump issue, drain and refill the oil. Check to see the function of the pump, AND check the oil for gas again. You may wish to change the oil twice... Bill 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,171 #5 Posted March 10, 2023 All of my electric pump tractors start instantly so i get it but I like to stay mechanical too. Trouble is I have had rotten luck with the plastics so I often go out of my way to save the metal ones. If you got a couple years out of a plastic you did good. I get a couple of weeks out of them. Guess all a guy can do in absence of a metal one is to stock.up on the plastics and watch the oil... or go electric. 3 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horseoholic 193 #6 Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) Thanks All , I do have an old metal fuel pump that came off of the K241 that I rebuilt from my 1057 , It is in desperate need of a rebuild , I wasn't sure if there was any rebuild kits for these old pumps , are the rebuild kits that you all may know of pretty reliable and seem to be installed with no issues ? Thanks again guys . Edited March 10, 2023 by Horseoholic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,171 #7 Posted March 10, 2023 Yes Then and Now auto has them. Very complete kits. @Achto can you get him a ? You can also find them in the jungle or fleabay cheap but they ain't worth a hoot. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,014 #8 Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) Since we're on this subject does anyone know of a source for vacuum pump diaphragms other than then and now auto? I've used a couple if theirs and they are too thin and weep gas around the edges. That's even after I true up the surfaces of the pump. Edited March 10, 2023 by Mike'sHorseBarn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,491 #9 Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) for what model? Buckrancher has them for the 8hp pulse vacuum pumps. Edited March 10, 2023 by rjg854 add 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,790 #10 Posted March 10, 2023 Here is a link to Then & Now Auto. https://www.then-now-auto.com/product-category/fuel-pump-kits/kohler-fuel-pump-kits/ 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,014 #11 Posted March 10, 2023 8 minutes ago, rjg854 said: for what model? Buckrancher has them for the 8hp pulse vacuum pumps. That's what I need it for the 8 hp models. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,467 #12 Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: Since we're on this subject does anyone know of a source for vacuum pump diaphragms other than then and now auto? I've used a couple if theirs and they are too thin and weep gas around the edges. That's even after I true up the surfaces of the pump. If it's weeping after the two surfaces have been “trued” there is something else going on. Installation of the diaphragm is a bit counter-intuitive since the material must not be “taut” when the pump is screwed together. Instead, it must have slack at the center that can pulse in and out easily. That means there will be small wrinkles in the diaphragm at the edges as you start to assemble it. The material must be thin to allow it to compress sideways along the seam as the pressure of the closing faces flattens out the wrinkles. If the material is too thick, it fails both by not having enough flex for the vacuum to cause pumping action and by not being able to smooth the wrinkles. Edited March 10, 2023 by Handy Don 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,507 #13 Posted March 10, 2023 1 hour ago, Handy Don said: and by not being able to smooth the wrinkles. Unlike trying to get wrinkles out of one's Birthday Suit.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,726 #14 Posted March 11, 2023 @Horseoholic been using a CAR- BOLE electric pump for years , no problems at all , also wired in a single green led light at dash , to verify operating function . pricing was also good , very reliable . look it up , cost me about $ 20 , try amazon , pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 1,935 #15 Posted March 11, 2023 I've done this conversion in recent years. Use a Briggs or Kawasaki pump. Homemade mounting plate. Works great. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,726 #16 Posted March 11, 2023 @Horseoholic https://www.amazon.com/CarBole-Universal-2-3-5P-S-I-Operating-Self-Priming/dp/B01IR6BNKY/ref=asc_df_B01IR6BNKY?tag=bingshoppinga- this the one you want , low pressure part# 42 S , sorry about the other info I sent you , mounted it up front just in front of engine , or you can mount it close to tank . pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,467 #17 Posted March 11, 2023 (edited) On 3/10/2023 at 12:11 PM, ri702bill said: Unlike trying to get wrinkles out of one's Birthday Suit.... Thought about a response. Naah. Edited March 11, 2023 by Handy Don 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,014 #18 Posted March 11, 2023 6 hours ago, Bill D said: I've done this conversion in recent years. Use a Briggs or Kawasaki pump. Homemade mounting plate. Works great. I've been wanting to try this....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,171 #19 Posted March 11, 2023 I've had no problems with Buckrancher's Mike. 8hp??? All of mine have been on 7s. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 1,935 #20 Posted March 12, 2023 4 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: I've been wanting to try this....... Here's another picture to help you make a mounting plate for yourself. Good luck with it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,014 #21 Posted March 12, 2023 14 hours ago, WHX?? said: I've had no problems with Buckrancher's Mike. 8hp??? All of mine have been on 7s. Yea all my 8's have the vacuum pump. All my 7's have been mechanical so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EB-80/8inPA 1,669 #22 Posted March 12, 2023 (edited) On 3/10/2023 at 9:20 AM, Achto said: Here is a link to Then & Now Auto. https://www.then-now-auto.com/product-category/fuel-pump-kits/kohler-fuel-pump-kits/ Thanks for that link. They show four options. Does anyone know for certain which one fits a K301 spec #4712B? TIA. Edited March 12, 2023 by EB-80/8inPA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,171 #23 Posted March 13, 2023 Only way to know is pull the pump apart and look at the diaphram to lever connector. Most of the ones we use have the T slotted end, the most vommon. There is more info on that site on identifying them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,171 #24 Posted March 13, 2023 23 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: Yea all my 8's have the vacuum pump. All my 7's have been mechanical so far. That's weird. I might have it backwards tho. Does your 161s have the offset lever Mike? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,726 #25 Posted March 13, 2023 @Horseoholic have these on my engines ,https://www.amazon.com/EVIL-ENERGY-Return-Petrol-Aluminium/dp/B08JJ128LN?th=1 , that vertical hose to carb area is a perfect spot for it , also use clear . vinyl fuel lines , so you can see the fuel hold . arrow on valve facing UP TO CARB , verifies fuel hold to carb , also ues dark green squeeze clamps , for a size to size fit . if your pump is faulty , get that done first , or combine the fix , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites