A while back I hadn't driven the speedster for two weeks because of health issues (bad) and family commitments (good) so before I got withdrawal symptoms I took it out for a ride late on a Sunday afternoon. I only had a few hours because I wanted to take my wife out for dinner because she had been babysitting three sick grandchildren (all boy animals under ten) all week.
I filled with fuel and went to one of my favorite places - Harriman State Park in New York State. It has a five mile twisty mountain road with parking above. I parked and after 1/2 hour it started to get dark and every one started to leave. I started the tub and after 50 feet it died. I started it again and same thing. On the third try nothing ! My first thought was its not getting fuel- possibly bad fuel pump ? I was stranded on a slight incline so I disconnected the line from the tank to the pump and fuel came pouring out. I reattached it and disconnected the line from the pump to the carbs and cranked over the engine-no fuel came out! Thanks to Carl Berry (RIP) and his experience with a broken pump-he had to be flat bedded into Carlisle a few years ago I carry a spare pump.Also thanks to Jack Crosby and Gordon Nichols lists I carry a lot of tools and spare parts. The pump is easily accessible and I had it off quickly.It was getting dark and I couldn't see the push rod-my fear was that something was broken down below. I cranked the engine and the rod came up out of the block enough to pull out. Holding a flashlight in one hand I got the new rod and pump in place with the other. Because I didn't have my most used tool - a magnet on an extension I was afraid that I would lose a nut but it worked out o k. The car started up immediately and I took off quickly because they lock the gate to this road at night and when I got there one gate was already closed. I made it home in time to take my wife out.
Now here is the coincidence-earlier this year at the same time I had parked in the same spot and the car had died because of a shorted out reverse switch on the transmission-I got home by removing the backup bulb-no fuse. End of story I hope.
Joel