Mechanical fuel pump failures

[Paul_G]

I have used everything from the $29 parts store pumps to to $250 rebuildable pumps. Cant get more then 2 years of life out of them. I put 3 to 5 thousand miles a year on my 73. Thats more miles then most old cars get. But, fuel pumps are not supposed to fail that quickly. The rubber diaphrams leak. Yes, it is the alcahol in the fuel causing it, and the pump makers know that yet they dont make the pumps to last. I have been usining electric pumps which do hold up a little longer. I am getting very tired of the buzzing from the inline electric pumps.

Am I the only one having this issue?

 

[khryslerkid]

Several threads on this topic.

Mechanical Fuel Pump 101

 

[Jerry Hall]

You are using ethanol fuel, that's the problem.

 

[hunt2elk]

I switched over to Edelbrock pumps after the Carter fiasco several years ago, and knock on wood, no issues to report. I do run 91 octane 100% gas though, so no ethonal.

 

[T Brashears]

When I put the coronet away for the winter last year,I started using ethanol free 90, So far it runs great,no pinging yet,and I now have a station near home,one near work,and one not too far away if necessary.

 

[bandit67]

I agree, the ethanol is a big factor in the short lived mechanical pumps. BUT, I fooled with both Chevy and Chrysler cars before ethanol and it seemed to me back then the Mopar pump had a very short life compared to the Chevy pumps. And they both were made by the same folks and prolly used the same materials for the diaphragms .

 

[Jerry Hall]

The original fuel pump on this GTX failed about 3 years ago.

I found an original carter and replaced it. I think 55 years was a great run on that fuel pump.

 

[T Brashears]

Frame it!

 

[T Brashears]

The first pump for the 383 didn’t make break in on the run stand.

 

[68BabyBlue]

The original fuel pump on this GTX failed about 3 years ago. View attachment 1854015
I found an original carter and replaced it. I think 55 years was a great run on that fuel pump.

The original on my GTX went 35 years and was replaced with NOS. If that fails, I’ll get the original rebuilt.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Frame it!

I didn't throw it away. I understand that they can now be rebuilt.