Series II Fuel Pumps

I would like to thank this list--and most of all Jim Cantrell--for saving me $246 (US) yesterday. How so, you ask?

I suspected I was starting to have fuel pump/strainer problems with my 1979 XJ4.2, SII. I'll spare you all the details, but I decided to open 'er up and have a look around, at least in the empty, right-side tank. Bill Trimble came over and we drained the last half gallon or so from the tank, pulled the wheel, and removed the pump. Bill rigged up an old paint brush on the end of a hose and used it to brush the inside of the tank while I poured the old gas through it a couple of times, straining it between pours. Quite a bit of gunk came out.

Then we took a look at the pump. The strainer was black--almost completely plugged. When testing the pump outside the tank, it didn't want to start at first, and ran with more vibration than I cared for once it did. It had to go!

Over a year ago, Jim Cantrell posted his discovery that the SII Jag fuel pump and the old Chevy Vega fuel pump are one and the same. Sure enough, mine said "AC." So, Bill and I ventured down to the local Auto Zone parts store. I told the lady behind the counter not to look at me too funny, but I wanted her to look up a couple of things. She looked at me a little funny, but did it anyway. Her computer listed the Jag fuel pump at $149.99, but they, of course, didn't have one in stock. They did, however, have the Vega pump--for $26.99!

Could I see one? Of course. Just as Jim had said, it was identical to what we pulled from the tank. Did she have two?, I inquired. "Why yes, we do," came the reply. I bought them both. This store had only one strainer of the right type, but she called another Auto Zone about five miles down the road. It had one, so off we went.

We installed the "lump pump" with no problems, using the Jaguar mounting bracket and tank fitting. It works just fine, and I defy any concours judge to find it. Since the left-side tank is 3/4th full, it will have to wait until after I get back from the UK in a couple of weeks.

Thanks Jim and Jag-Lovers!!!

If anyone is interested, Auto Zone lists the pump as E3900 Electric Fuel Pump, #279349. The strainer ($2.99) is FS101 Fuel Pump Strainer, #362301.

Regarding other XJ Series:

I can't speak specifically for the SI pump, but I would suggest you look at the pump closely to see if the mark of an American supplier, like AC-Delco, is present. If so, record every number you can off of it and ask your parts guy. If you find something useful, let us know.