electric fuel pump recommendations?

[ashman]

I'm sick of my mechanical fuel pump in my '72 and at some point I'm going to be upgrading to fuel injection (someday... ) so it's time to look into going electric. I'd like to get something that will work for my carb now, but will also work for injection later.

Can I get something that has adjustable output pressure or will I need to buy a separate pressure regulator?

One quick note on the mechanical pump I have now. I'm not sure why but after I've been driving awhile the truck just falls on it's face like I'm running out of gas. If I pull over and let it idle for a bit it'll be just fine again for awhile. At first I suspected vapor locking but it isn't hot here at all and I'm leaning towards the fuel pump not being able to keep up. If I'm missing something obvious, I'd love to hear. I replaced the pump last fall and it's certainly better than the old one but the problem persists.

So, assuming the pump is the problem, what electric pumps would you guys recommend?

 

[diesel4me]

If the truck still has any old rubber gas hoses that are original or older than around 1990,chances are they are not ethanol compatible and may be coming apart inside or swollen up,and restricting the fuel flow,I have had to replace a lot of gas line hoses on old lawn tractors that had the non compatable hoses ,they would start up and run OK for several minutes,then under a load like when you'd hit tall grass,the engine would bog down and stall or sputter like it ran out of gas...usually it could be re-started right away or if you let it idle it will recover..

One hose in particular to look at if your '72 still has the original lines and hoses is one near the rear wheel ,a short rubber hose that joints 2 steel lines,that is hooped like an inchworm...I've had 3 of those on various 67-72 trucks I had go bad inside,they got all gooey and the lining collapses shut during heavy acceleration when you need all the fuel the most..I replaced fuel pumps,installed electric ones,rebuilt carbs,even pulled the tank out to see if it had a restriction in the sending unit or water and dirt in the gas blocking the "sock" filter,but it was all in order...

I've had a tiny pinhole in steel gas lines make the truck bog out and die going up hills,with no leakage noticeable--the pinhole was on the top side of the fuel line at a bend,so the gas couldn't gravity feed itself enough to leak..even a gas cap with a blocked vent hole can make it impossible for the fuel pump to suck gas out of the tank..

If you dont have a return line on the fuel pump it might help if you installed one and run it back to the fuel tank..if you end up deciding to go electric,they sell ones that are alcohol friendly (and I'd get one of those!)--that put out 5-7 PSI and remember electric pumps push gas better than pump it,so mounting it close to the tank is important for it to last and work correctly..

 

[snowdriver]

If the truck still has any old rubber gas hoses that are original or older than around 1990,chances are they are not ethanol compatible and may be coming apart inside or swollen up,and restricting the fuel flow,I have had to replace a lot of gas line hoses on old lawn tractors that had the non compatable hoses ,they would start up and run OK for several minutes,then under a load like when you'd hit tall grass,the engine would bog down and stall or sputter like it ran out of gas...usually it could be re-started right away or if you let it idle it will recover..

One hose in particular to look at if your '72 still has the original lines and hoses is one near the rear wheel ,a short rubber hose that joints 2 steel lines,that is hooped like an inchworm...I've had 3 of those on various 67-72 trucks I had go bad inside,they got all gooey and the lining collapses shut during heavy acceleration when you need all the fuel the most..I replaced fuel pumps,installed electric ones,rebuilt carbs,even pulled the tank out to see if it had a restriction in the sending unit or water and dirt in the gas blocking the "sock" filter,but it was all in order...

I've had a tiny pinhole in steel gas lines make the truck bog out and die going up hills,with no leakage noticeable--the pinhole was on the top side of the fuel line at a bend,so the gas couldn't gravity feed itself enough to leak..even a gas cap with a blocked vent hole can make it impossible for the fuel pump to suck gas out of the tank..

If you dont have a return line on the fuel pump it might help if you installed one and run it back to the fuel tank..if you end up deciding to go electric,they sell ones that are alcohol friendly (and I'd get one of those!)--that put out 5-7 PSI and remember electric pumps push gas better than pump it,so mounting it close to the tank is important for it to last and work correctly..

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This guy is really sharp
you seem to have alot of experiance with alot of different vehicles,machines,mechanical stuff

 

[bp71k5]

Electric fuel pump will require a return line unless you go one of the fancy high dollar pumps. The mechanical should work fine for a carb. If it isn't, I bet you have a clogged sock down inside the gas tank or somewhere along the fuel line.

Do the lines first since you'll have to do them anyway if you use an electric pump capable of more than 10 psi.

 

[diesel4me]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This guy is really sharp
you seem to have alot of experiance with alot of different vehicles,machines,mechanical stuff

I appreciate the compliment--but..
If I was that smart,I wouldn't have spent 100+ bucks on parts that didn't fix the problem or wasted my effort and time installing them all!...

I'm more "old and experienced" than "sharp"..been around the block quite a few times,seen a lot of baffling problems with vehicles and equipment I owned or people junked when I hung around junkyards,and the guy I worked with and I both liked the challenge of figuring out WHY something wouldn't work right..we got many "junk" cars and things like tractor running good again,after their former owners were frustrated enough with them to say screw it,I'm junking this POS!..

Also ,you tend to remember things that you wasted time and money on with no satisfaction,then find out a hunk of 50 cent fuel line was the culprit all along!.....I like trying to help others avoid going thru a lot of work or money if its something I've dealt with before...

 

[TerryD]

I prefer the mechanical pumps because they are easier and cheaper to get away from home if you have an issue. I would check all your hoses and the hard line could have pin holes in it and be pulling air as well.

That being said, I have the Holley Blue electric pump on my Camaro. It's a little loud but works good. I have their bypass style regulator on it as well which helps quieten down the pump some.

 

[diesel4me]

Electric pumps are reliable if you get the right type...the older ones with a "bellows" made of rubber wont live long under ethanol gas,the best ones look like a small electrical transformer and use a nylon ball or piston powered by a solenoid to do the pumping...ones with vanes last a long time too,but can be noisier..and cost more..

I have one of the ones that look like a round fuel filter with 2 wires coming out of it that has the solenoid type /nylon ball pump..its been on my diesel pickup since I bought it 11 years ago,and it runs constantly due to the fuel system having a return line,but so far its still working fine..(on a vehicle with no return line the pump will stop pumping automatically once the pressure builds up to its rated output,and only run intermittently when more fuel needs to be delivered..I've read using a pump not designed for a return line setup on a vehicle with one will make it run non-stop and could eventually burn it up or wear it out,but so far mine has shown no sign of failing..

I can get another one online at Amazon for about 15-20 bucks if it does crap out...I found an identcal one to it at a flea market new in the box for one dollar,I was carrying it with me in the truck,but I ended up having to put it on my garden tractor when its vacuum fuel pump died so I could mow the lawn last summer..

 

[TerryD]

The pump I have is a vane style pump. I have not had any issue with mine for the 6 years is been on there but I had a friend with the red pump that burnt one up. I had his car back in bum-fuk when it crapped out and left me sitting.

While a mechanical pump could have failed just as easily, the mechanical pump would have been easier to find, even if I had to pull a used one rather than having to leave his car parked there till we could get a new pump ordered and installed or tow it.

 

[Bowtie85]

Ive got an hp125, nice and quiet so far. No complaints.

I do however carry a small cheap inline pump that i can just swap in place of my fuel filter to get me home if need be.

If you have the option to run a mechanical, run a mechanical

Sounds like you have some sort of blockage in your lines IMO.

 

[ryoken]

I'm sick of my mechanical fuel pump in my '72 and at some point I'm going to be upgrading to fuel injection (someday... ) so it's time to look into going electric. I'd like to get something that will work for my carb now, but will also work for injection later.

Can I get something that has adjustable output pressure or will I need to buy a separate pressure regulator?

One quick note on the mechanical pump I have now. I'm not sure why but after I've been driving awhile the truck just falls on it's face like I'm running out of gas. If I pull over and let it idle for a bit it'll be just fine again for awhile. At first I suspected vapor locking but it isn't hot here at all and I'm leaning towards the fuel pump not being able to keep up. If I'm missing something obvious, I'd love to hear. I replaced the pump last fall and it's certainly better than the old one but the problem persists.

So, assuming the pump is the problem, what electric pumps would you guys recommend?

I have had great performance from my Walbro for a couple yr's now.. but apparently the intramaweb say's they are sh*t, sooooooooooo..


diagnose the prob with a pressure gauge... run a tee after the pump, cheap gauge and hose to the windshield wiper.. note change when issue occurs...

 

[76zimmer]

the Walbro 255 seems to be branded as a lot of co's pumps...the one I got with my FAST FI is exactly like the 255....its worked flawlessly so far.

I also highly recommend checking your lines thoroughly...pressure test them if you can. My pickup line in the tank (towards the top-customized incorrectly) was sucking air sporadically and causing starvation/stalling issues.

 

[ashman]

thanks for all the help guys. Heading out to check things over now. The tank is fairly empty so I guess it's possible that I'm sucking air occasionally. I don't remember if it does it when full or not. Guess I should test that before I get too far down this road.