SteveBoilard

Ah--that makes sense. Thanks for the input!

I too was thinking it's an electric fuel pump. But this afternoon I got under the car and determined that it's connected to the oil pan by a copper (or maybe steel) line. There's also a second line that runs from this mystery device to somewhere near the oil filter. (I can't verify the exact connection point without removing some components, which I may try doing soon.) Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? I'm guessing it's a pump of some kind, but I can't think of the purpose, since the oil is already driven by the mechanical oil pump in the sump. Can anyone tell me if they have a line coming from the passenger side of the oil pan, and if so, where it goes? (This is separate from the dipstick connection, of course.) Also, for what it's worth, the original, mechanical fuel pump is in place and connected.

Also, it’s the original R1 engine.

Greetings! I'm the new owner of a 1963 Avanti (though I'm a long-time owner of Hawks and Larks). I'm going through the Avanti, changing fluids and generally just familiarizing myself with it. I'm perplexed by a silver, cylindrical device that's mounted in the engine bay down under the alternator. It has wires running to it, and a fluid line (which may be oil or transmission; I have not yet been able to trace it). There's also an (evidently aftermarket) toggle switch on the dash that seems to energize the mysterious cylinder. It just kind of buzzes when the toggle is thrown. I've attached a photo of the device; photo is taken from under the car. Note the red logo. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I assume it's NOT original to the car. I can't see any reference to it in the workshop manual. Thanks for any information you can provide! Steve