mech ones are a bit of a pain in that they are a bit hard to get at
can leak oil if worn out or yukky surfaces on block & gaskets & spacers etc
can leak fuel if torn or split diaphram inside it, so fuel can leak outside , or leak into the engine diluting your oil with lots of fuel

elecy pumps are many different types avaliable, be aware that the cheap ones are just that
but then even some top quality ones are not so top quality

BUt, youll have to run a new wire through from your fuel block all the way back to the rear of the car, under & to the left hand side of rear subframe (where we mount the pumps & where the original "S" ones were mounted) so can be a bit of a muck around either way

in my opinion it`s much of a much-ness which one you choose for road use
but for racing i always use elecy type

edit--> Oh & before i forget,,, be aware that some of the later designed mechanical ones run their exit pipe very close to & run around behind the exhaust pipe,,, not my kind of idea (some bright spark thought that up) pardon the pun
but can (& often does) cause some vapour locks in the fuel lines on hot summer days stuck in traffic

i have more "fors & againsts" if you like
sorry,,, just replace the one you have as it may be easier for you
or pay the extra & get an elecy one fitted & wired in

If you run out of fuel. Mechanical pumps are a pain to get going again and takes AGES of turning over to fix.

Electrical ones are a piece of cake, just wait until you hear it stop ticking and its good to go.

I just use the old SU fuel pump that uses points, nothing flash or fancy and that's what it originally had. A lot of people use facet pumps.

Cheaper getting your current carbi recoed. Is there any play in the butterfly shafts? If not then it wont need much maybe a new needle and seat gasket and jet, all easy enough to do yourself.

Oh ok Sorry mate

The su Fuel pump is electrical and was the original type fitted to some minis and it contained a set of points that needed to be replaced/services ever so often. It was mounted on the rear subframe on a bracket.

A lot of people use a facet branded pump no days. Facet is the brand it is a sealed unit (make sure you get the correct pressure though - I have no idea as I dont use one of these). these are less hassle and more reliable

When you pull it off you will see a bronzy butterfly in it and wigle it around to see of there is any wear in the shaft and bushes at the sides.

Parts can be easily bought. karcraft or mnikingdomonline.com.au or minispares should all be able to help you out

Hope that makes a bit more sense.

I have a facet and is the ducks guts but best positioned as close to the tank as practical and definitely not in the engine bay.

As for the cheap ones, I had an Ecco for 200000km and never let me down...the engine spun a bearing before the fuel pump gave up the ghost. The Ecco now is a transfer pump in the patrol between the 175l main tank and the 75l sub tank...and has done another 125000km. 325000km out of a $40 electrical fuel pump...don't knock them.

Hey dawi03 , i think for the purpose of the exercise , seeing as you seem to be having more than one issue with your car , i would just put a standard mechanical fuel pump on, they're not expensive , and worry about the electric one later on , that way you solve the fuel leak which can only be a good thing eh .

As for the other problems that your engine might have , you need to start with the basic things first ,
plugs ,points & settings , leads , coil , timing and so on , these are all things that you can gain information out of books or off the internet and as well as doing searches on here , you can learn to do most of these jobs yourself , try to fix one problem at a time, ( not 10 )otherwise you will just confuse yourself .

If you have someone that is mechanically minded or someone nearby off here that can help you , all the better .