thanks to everyone who responded on this.
the pump has been replaced so I'll close this and raise a new question specifically about spill timing
hope  that's ok

Rod

hi folks
an update.
I've just received a replacement pump, although the chap I have been mailing with said they would replace the washer and set the pump up, they have sent an actual replacement, I'm glad to say.
Before I fit it, I'd appreciate bouncing some questions off your collective brains please.

The guy from the supplier maintained the following

1. When fitting the replacement pump the spill timing should checked and set by removing the top union and fitting a spill pipe etc
    If this is not done, the cam thrust could be too high possibly breaking the plunger spring in the pump.
2. The original problem could be contamination in the fuel keeping the delivery valve open.
3. The washer was most likely broken by my tightening the pipe nipple nut down too tight.

My responses were

1. As the pump is a direct replacement and the engine was previously running, I can't see why the timing should need to be changed unless, once the engine is running, there seems to a tuning need. I really cannot see a situation where the delivery spring could be damaged by the extent of the cam thrust when the pump was supposed to have been tested on a Hartridge fuel pump tester with a custom built cam box.
2. I found this hard to accept.
3. I could not believe in a possibility of me tightening a nipple nut so as to disturb the union that had been torqued up to 40lbf ft

So although I can't see any sense in it and still think that the pump was faulty on receipt, I'd appreciate others dispassionate views before I fit it.

thanks in advance

Rod

many thanks both, it's really helpful to get your input.
The pump is a reconditioned one.
My original ignorance on these engines - although that's changing :-) - makes me reluctant to make judgements myself.
38ac's confirmation that the gravity flow is wrong is a great help.
Looking at the drawings I thought that should be so, but........

Having come down firmly on faulty pump, I sent a mail to the suppliers yesterday and hope to have an answer back today.
I think there must be a universal "Rods Box" for faulty stuff to go in that can be dipped into when I order things :-(

Many thanks again to you both, I'll report back once I hear from the suppliers

Rod

hi
I have a fuel problem with which I am getting nowhere.
The original problem that the previous owner had was that the engine would start and then stop as if it had no fuel.
He unsuccessfully tinkered with the pump, so I decided to simply replace it for a fresh start and bought a replacement pump from stationaryengineparts.com.

The existing pump was a Bryce FA0AB080C0280 which was replaced by an FA0AB080C0770

Fitted the new pump, but the engine would not prime.
I bled the system as in the manual but the primer didn't really seem to be pushing fuel up the pipe although it was operating and I could see a change in fluid level at the top of the pump with the injector pipe disconnected but was expecting more of a burst rather than just a level change.
I took off the fuel pump housing cover plate to check the action of the tappet and primer and it seemed ok, although I'm new to these engines.

Regardless of how long I operate the primer no fuel comes out the pipe at the injector end.
Took the pipe off and blew it through with an airline.
Thought at first it was possibly drawing air in so spent an age sealing everything up around the fuel filter/pipes and bleed screws but to no avail.
I found yesterday afternoon that if I filled the tank so that the fuel level was above the injector, fuel simply flowed out of the pipe at the injector end in a continuous flow by gravity.

I don't think I did anything wrong when fitting the pump but I am stuck so there must be something

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

thanks in advance

Rod