ShurFlo Pump FYI

[PRSRIZD_V6]

I recently comtacted Shurflo about using a 8000 series pump with methanol. I assumed it couldn't be done, but was interested if I would get some sort of seal kit to swap the pump over to methanol. The response I got was that their pumps cannot be used with ANY flammable liquid, as they are not ignition protected. Has anyone used a shurflo with methanol? Or better yet does anyone know that they don't recommend that 8000 series pumps be used with flammable solutions?

Here's the exact response that I got from shurflo:
After speaking with our applications engineer we do not recommend our pumps to be used to pump methanol. This is a flammable liquid and the motor that our pumps use are not ignition protected. The compatibility with the valves and plastic is fine. We just can not recommend any flammable liquid to be pumped through our pumps.

There is a distributor in Florida by the name of Depco Pump Company. They may have a pump to meet your needs. Their toll free number is 800-445-1656.

 

[Cheez Wiz]

I would guess it's a case of C-Y-A.
No, you can't use our pump for that application, but the parts are compatible. wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Is a 50/50 mix of distilled water and 90% Isopropyl alcohol considered flammable? I've been running this for over a year with a Shurflo pump without any problems.

 

[PRSRIZD_V6]

How many people are running this pump with no problems? I thought this was the typical pump for a budget alky system?

 

[TR Custom Parts]

See above! No problems here but I am not running methanol or denatured alcohol, just a 50/50 mix of distilled water and 90% isopropyl. Good for 24 lbs of boost with Sunoco 94 gas and NO knock retard to speak of.

 

[PRSRIZD_V6]

So Mark is the only person willing to admit he's running this pump?


And no one has ever tried it with Methanol...


Most every DIY alky setup recommends this pump, how many people have used it for quite some time?

 

[Red Regal T]

I installed the sureflo pump using instructions from Steve Monroe's DIY system. It's been on my car for over 2 1/2 years and has NEVER malfunctioned. I am running with 22 lbs. of boost with a stock turbo with 0 knock. Very simple system with no problem to tune. And I might add, I'll be running this same system long after you all burn up your SMC systems.

 

[PRSRIZD_V6]

I got a response from the Depco pump company, that shurflo referred me to. Here it is:

Methonal is very volitle, and there is a chance ignition if even vapors are present. Shurflo 12v pumps are not suitable for that type of environment. We suggest you contact Holley or Facet, who make 12v pumps for pumping gasoline.


Now, why exactly doesn't anyone run a methanol fuel pump? Is it just a price thing? Or pressure? I imagine that a Weldon would be pricey.

 

[zam70]

My SMC kit (that should be arriving soon) will be setup specifically for Methanol. I requested it for Methanol because I have easy access to the fuel. (I run it in a dragster) I'll let all know how it works out once it arrives and I get it installed.

 

[PRSRIZD_V6]

What's different about it?

 

[zam70]

The pump is specifically designed to run methanol.

 

[PRSRIZD_V6]

Really....

 

[zam70]

A methanol pump uses different seals and a different impeller material. What else is different I don't know. I really don't feel like putting a pump in that I know will fail because I'm trying to save a few bucks. Not to mention, it would really suck if the pump FAILED at 24 lbs of boost. I prefer the "do it right the first time" approach. There for, I spent the extra bucks for a methanol pump.

Steve Yaklin steered me towards the company that sells them and I referred Steve C. from SMC to them. I don't have the info at hand. Give Steve C. or Steve Y. a call, I'm sure they can tell you where they found them.

 

[PRSRIZD_V6]

So it's a FLOJet, that's what I was looking for. I thought maybe Steve C may have found a new seal kit for the ford pump or something that allowed for Methanol. OR maybe he found a cheaper Methanol fuel pump somewhere.

Thanks