The Steamboating Forum

Lopez Mike wrote:... Has anyone ever successfully used a diaphragm pump such as a bilge pump to pull a vacuum? They have a lot of inherent springiness that would probably be a problem. Nice short stroke though and no cross head needed for eccentric drive.

I've known people who have sucessfully used diaphram fuel fumps (the type driven off the engine by a rocker arm). Andrew Van Luenen did this on "Flyer" for a few years after he built it. Then John York brought out his casting kit. I don't know who markets it now.

Thanks Ron.

I called a friend with a barn full of old car stuff and he has a fuel pump from an early Chrysler product that has a vacuum pump as half of it. Says that with no flow it pulls 20" of vacuum.

Boy have we hijacked this thread. Sorry Jon!