Electric fuel pump

[Moparsmitty]

Hey boys and girls. When I bought my 64 Belvedere several years ago I noticed that some previous owner installed a Holley type electric fuel pump in the line back by the rear axle. I'm not real sure why it's there because the car seems to run fine with just the mechanical pump when the electric pump is shut off. The car may have been raced at some point and possibly had a different engine, fuel setup, etc. I'm not sure. My question is, since I haven't gotten around to removing/bypassing the electric pump how much of a restriction do you think the non operating electric pump is for the mechanical pump? I did a little testing and the pressure and flow seem ok. I have about 5lbs of pressure at the carb and about a quart of gas from one minute of cranking. Any thoughts?

 

[sublimegtx]

Watching this. I have the same circumstances, different car.

 

[67 coronet]

it will cause some restriction but it is hard to say since it depends on the condition of the pump.if you are at all worried about it,replace it with a peice of metal tube or a coupler.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Some do some don't. Take the line loose from both sides and blow through it and see how much effort it takes. If it was mine, I would chunk the mechanical pump in the garbage and run the electric.

 

[Moparsmitty]

Some do some don't. Take the line loose from both sides and blow through it and see how much effort it takes. If it was mine, I would chunk the mechanical pump in the garbage and run the electric.

I might do that, but if I do I'm going to install a new electric pump because the one that's in there now is so damn noisy. It needs to be relocated to a lower spot on the frame anyway.

 

[no462of12K]

sounds like you got money 2 spend--do it right the first time--get a new pump (move it to the spot you think it best)remove the mach. one -block off the opening(nice chrome cover) and enjoy that MOPAR

 

[tpodwdog]

my 66 Belvy II has that set up done by someone other than me. mine runs fine on the mechanical pump with everything hooked together. not sure why its like that....could never figure it out....but in the event the mechanical pump ever fails...all i gotta do is flip a switch and the electric one will get me home! the electric one is WAYYYYY too noisy for me to listen to it for any legnth of time.

 

[67 coronet]

get a g rotor type pump.(gear inside a gear,mallory and several other brands are made this way.)they run much quieter.mounting the pump with a rubber pad between the pump and car body will reduce noise a bunch as well.

 

[tpodwdog]

get a g rotor type pump.(gear inside a gear,mallory and several other brands are made this way.)they run much quieter.mounting the pump with a rubber pad between the pump and car body will reduce noise a bunch as well.

thanx. But im not a big fan of electric fuel pumps. Ill just keep it as is and have the electric pump as a back up !

 

[RustyRatRod]

Either type pump is fine, but I would not run both at the same time without a low pressure cutoff switch for the electric pump, in case the mechanical failed. You don't need your oil pan slam full of gas. Also, when I mount any style electric pump, I find an old tire and cut a piece of sidewall out for my insulator. It's THICK and it'll last forever. Lastly, those who complain about electric pump noise have probably never run a proper fuel system with a fuel return line. The return line GREATLY reduces the noise from the electric pump and also relieves the dead head stress that occurs without a fuel return. Makes the pump run cooler and last much longer.

 

[tpodwdog]

Either type pump is fine, but I would not run both at the same time without a low pressure cutoff switch for the electric pump, in case the mechanical failed. You don't need your oil pan slam full of gas. Also, when I mount any style electric pump, I find an old tire and cut a piece of sidewall out for my insulator. It's THICK and it'll last forever. Lastly, those who complain about electric pump noise have probably never run a proper fuel system with a fuel return line. The return line GREATLY reduces the noise from the electric pump and also relieves the dead head stress that occurs without a fuel return. Makes the pump run cooler and last much longer.

i dont run them both at the same time RAT...altho when i bought that car. the previous owner INSISTED the electric fuel pump be running.....thats when i was having carb probs not knowing that both pumps were running. and you nailed it.....filled the oil pan up with gas due to too much pressure. i didnt discover that i didnt need the electric pump running until i was stranded on the road scratchin my head. later i seen that both were hooked up BUT i didnt need the electric one running. but im leaving it that way as a " just -in-case". it runs just fine on the mechanical pump alone.

 

[Moparsmitty]

Thanks for the helpful advice guys. I just got back from the shop and I removed the old electric pump for now and reconnected the fuel lines. I can't take it out for a full throttle, balls out test run right now because of course it's pouring down rain. When the weather improves, maybe by this weekend, I can run it hard and see if there are any fuel starvation problems. I can see why the pump was so noisy in the first place because the old mounting bracket didn't have any rubber insulation and it was mounted directly to the floor right above the rear axle. Not a good installation. If I need to go back to an electric pump, I will get a good one and insulate the mounting bracket like you guys described. Thanks again for your help.

 

[cr8crshr]

i dont run them both at the same time RAT...altho when i bought that car. the previous owner INSISTED the electric fuel pump be running.....thats when i was having carb probs not knowing that both pumps were running. and you nailed it.....filled the oil pan up with gas due to too much pressure. i didnt discover that i didnt need the electric pump running until i was stranded on the road scratchin my head. later i seen that both were hooked up BUT i didnt need the electric one running. but im leaving it that way as a " just -in-case". it runs just fine on the mechanical pump alone.

Thanks to all the post on this. I installed one inline of the fuel system to aid in starting after prolonged sitting of my Satellite. I use it as a "priming" tool rather than run it during normal ops. So far it has worked like a chap. It isn't a very expensive one but does nicely when priming. Dawg...I like your thinking my friend. If there was a breakdown in my mechanical pump then at least I can get her home. Albeit noisily...Tuck

 

[RustyRatRod]

The only problem with using an electric for a failsafe when the mechanical goes out is, if the mechanical diaphragm is ruptured, you'll fill the oil pan up with gas. That would suck.