I just got my car back from the restorer. it has a cylindrical fuel pump installed by the previous owner. The car runs well, but I have a concern about the behavior of the fuel pump: When I first got it back from the restorer, I seem to recall that the fuel pump clicked just like the SU pump in my MGTD did years ago--when turning on the ignition, it would click until pressure was established, then pause. But now, the fuel pump just continues to click. (There is no evidence of overflow or carburetor flooding,) Is the continued click indicative of some malfunction? The restorer suggested removing the inlet filter and replacing it with an un-restricting nipple, but I'm reluctant to leave it in that condition for fear of letting debris from the [not very old, but not new] fuel tank into my newly overhauled SU carbs.

Perhaps there is no issue? That the inexpensive, in-line fuel pumps do not shut off after initial pumping as I thought I recalled from my ancient SU days, and from a week or two ago when I just got the car back from the restorer???

At the moment, my plan is to try to ID the manufacturer of the in-line pump and seek help there. But if the pump is malfunctioning, I don't want to drive the car far (for fear that it will quit) until I have a path forward. I'm willing to spring for a new, electronic SU pump, but I don't want to rely on a possibly malfunctioning pump while waiting for the SU to arrive.

Guidance??

 

A new SU pump currently costs around A$700 and they are just not worth it!
I have been using these inexpensive in line pumps for decades in my MK1 and MK2 cars as well as S1 and S2 Xj6s (long departed)
That ongoing clicking is quite normal.
About the only "trap" with non-standard fuel pumps is to ensure that they do not have too high a pressure. SU carbs will not handle pressures above 5 PSI.
I do have a fuel pressure regulator in my MK1set to 3PSI, but it was installed as an "experiment" and is not really necessary.
Keep that inlet filter! SU carbs are very intolerant of any crud getting into the float needle valve.
Cheers

 

Thanks for the reassurance about the clicking. I could have sworn that, when I got the car back from the restorer, a few weeks ago, the fuel pump clicked like the SU's of old -- several clicks, and then -- silence. Perhaps my brain was playing tricks on me -- resuscitating 70-year-old memories of my MG-TD (for which an on-board hammer to restart the SU fuel pump was standard equipment!) I'll stay close to home until my confidence is restored.

 

The best replacement pumps for your XK are German made "Hardie" which are used and recommended by the MK1/MK2/S type/420 group (early monocoque sedans with the same basic motor as your car.)
The other type is the USA made "Facet" which are so reliable they are approved by the FAA for use in modified fuel systems in Piper Cherokee aeroplanes. Note must be properly branded as heaps of copies made.
Don't be fooled by "originality" into using SU pumps unless you are playing in the highest level concours like Pebble Beach.
Cheers

 

Thanks for the guidance on the fuel pump. Purchased and had reinstalled (I'm too old and infirm for D-I-Y) a Facet, and now feel confident. ..and have an (unlabeled) probably functioning
spare. When I was about to order from Facet, the rep prevented my making a mistake, and guided me to the Facet with the appropriate pressure output!

 

Glad to see that your fuel pump problem has been resolved.
Cheers