Well I bought the pump from AC Delco. They showed me the difference between a 1999 fuel pump assembly and a 2000 fuel pump assembly. The 1999 fuel pump assembly is the right size to be removed from the opening on the bottom of the back seat. The 2000 fuel pump assembly is too large. The 2000 fuel pump has an outer housing that the 1999's do not have. I believe Ford left the opening the same size on the 2000â??s as the previous years. I really wonder how much attention to design details Ford makes.
It is this housing that prevents the 2000 fuel pump from being removed from the back seat opening. I will make the opening larger and I recommend anyone who has to change the fuel pump on a 2000 V-6 Contour to do the same. The AC Delco fuel pump looks identical to the Ford fuel pump. I am also going to remove the bottom screen on the pump housing. I think the sock filter on the suction of the pump is adequate. I sure hope this will solve the problem. There is no question in my mind that previous years from the 2000's have a big advantage with the return type fuel system. I guess once you make the back seat opening bigger you will eliminate the access advantage but still the 2000 pumps are harder to find and more expensive. I hope the removal of the bottom screen will increase the reliability of the pump. I hope never have to change a fuel pump again on any car!
