i was trying to sand down the ribs in the bottom of the bucket where the pump sits and broke through the wall of the plastic circle where the pump sits in. the hole is towards the bottom so the top is still intact. i can put the pump in and it sits there without any issues of wobbling or not being supported. am i ok to run the car like this for even just a little while til i can get a new bucket or am i up a creek until i can get a new bucket?

 

Purpose of the bucket is to keep the fuel pump submerged in fuel during hard driving conditions, specifically when the tank is low on fuel. The bucket holds the return fuel from the regulator, it prevents fuel starvation and helps keep the pump from overheating. I've seen some posts where they take them off completely and don't have problems. Keep your tank above empty, and if you don't drive in tight dirt track circles near empty and it should be OK till you get it repaired.