Fuel pump failure

Seems like I replace mine in the Avanti every two years too.
Each winter, I put in Stabil, and then fill the tank with mostly racing
fuel, for it's winter nap, from Nov - April. Figured it liked leaded Ethyl
back then and racing fuel was close.

I went out to start it in the spring, and noticed no oil pressure - and the
gas gauge wouldn't go much over half way. The oil dip stick showed about 2
quarts over.

Dropped the oil and it was full of gas. Replaced the oil and had good
pressure. Pinched off the rubber gas line until the I could swap out the
fuel pump. It was all better but I drove right to the gas station and put
in seven gallons of gas to fill it back up. The seven gallons evaporated
over the course of the winter! Thought I smelled gas all winter, but
couldn't see a leak.

It all made sense, once the pump was replaced. I wonder if either today's
gas, or the Stabil caused the pump failure. Talked to T-Bow about it, and
he said not to use the racing fuel, as he builds them for todays gas. I'm
suspecting the Stabil.

Dick S.
63 Avanti
61 Champ
49 2R5

"Robert Black" <transtar56 DeleteThis @eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:TU5ud.13268$Ya4.5157@edtnps84...
 > Had the new mechanical fuel pump on the 60 Hawk fail,must have ruptured
 > the
 > diaphram because the elecric filled the crankcase with gas.This is a new
 > pump I bought from UAP about two years ago,and as I have no reciet Im
 > S.O.L.
 > Glad I found out after running the engine for only a few minutes..
 > Im going to change the oil and filter and just use the electric for now,it
 > works good,just need a block off plate for the block.
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->