TBI fuel pump trail fix

[Mastiff]

I used to spend a lot of time making sure that I had a way out for things that were likely to fail and leave me stranded in the boonies. With the carb there was the possibility of mechanical pump failure, but I could throw a spare in the kit, and if it really came to it I could feed the fuel bowl manually.

With TBI, I started with an in-line pump, and that could be easily replaced if needed (I also got a spare ECM off E-bay).

But how about the factory TBI setup with pump in the tank? If that pump goes out, what can you do? I think dropping the tank is too much to do in the field. You can't draw fuel through the in-tank pump with an in-line, right?

Maybe you could us an in-line pump to draw fuel from the return line, then find some other way to feed the fuel back. Or you could just have an emergency rig with an in-line pump that sucks from and returns to a gas can and gets power from some clips or cig lighter...

Or you can just assume it won't fail. I assume that's what most people do.

 

[colbystephens]

I like this question. Interested in the discussion.

 

[ktmoutfront]

You could cut a door in the floor for pump acces. There is a thread on here for doing that. It will give you access to the pump/sending unit so you can wheel with a stock replacement.

 

[Lost in Texas]

I've been kicking around the idea of hanging two fuel pumps in the tanks that you could switch between. I have done this for some cars that need more volume than stock. But instead of both running together, only one would run. You would need to swap between the ones you run so they both get use from time to time.

 

[4xcrazy]

You can draw fuel through the in-tank fuel pump with an in-line electric one, I did just this last year when my truck decided to crap out with a full tank of gas, and before I left Indiana I decided to get whatever I could out of it for my mother to use in her truck, because I knew I wouldn't be back for mineanytime soon.

I removed the fuel filter, stuck the suction side of an electric pump on there, hit it with 12 volts and pulled out as much as I could into a couple of gas cans.

Now I don't know at what flow rate you could ultimately pull through the in-tank pump, all I know is it is possible to pull something through it.

 

[Mastiff]

Interesting. I wonder if you could get enough flow with an in-line to keep the engine running.

The door in the floor idea is good. In my case I have a beautiful coating of Line-X on there though, so I'd hate to tear into it like that.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

You could cut a door in the floor for pump acces. There is a thread on here for doing that. It will give you access to the pump/sending unit so you can wheel with a stock replacement.

I'm so doing this...

 

[y5mgisi]

Thats what i did! Changing the pump is now a 20 min job.

 

[onetonbb74]

yeah, I carry a spare pump, I can change my fuel pump in 10 minutes...mine is right in the bed, but if I had a blazer, Id make an access hole like others have mentioned.

 

[colbystephens]

What's everyone's dimensions and location for the Blazer access door?

 

[gonefishin]

I have used a mech. Pump to pull through the stock one in my 91 for years after I switched from tbi to carb

 

[y5mgisi]

No idea if its the same as a blazer but on mine i was able to peak in from the rear wheel well and see that the lines came out of the tank right between two floor supports that run left to right. From there it was easy enough to lift the carpet up and find the spot welds for those supports from above. At that point i just cut between the two supports gauging the distance off the spot welds. You can see the floor suport spot welds in this pic of mine.

As far as how far to go left and right, thats up to you. I stopped where i did so that my patch panel would fall into the "low spots" in the floor so that when i screw it down, the screw head would possibly protrude up and create a high spot.

 

[y5mgisi]

I have used a mech. Pump to pull through the stock one in my 91 for years after I switched from tbi to carb

Good to know!

 

[wheels87k5]

I remember researching this.



Originally Posted by Metrodps
OK all here is the measurement for future reference. Standing at rear lookin in.

1. Go min 11 inches up from the tailpan lip.
2. The side post at tail on the inside measure from each side
28 inches along the lip then mark at the 11 inch line
3. The top of opening should be a min 8 inches.

I hope this helps!

 

[K5-CJ5]

The nice thing about TBI is that it requires fairly low fuel pressure to operate than other injection systems. You can run an in line fuel pump as a main unit and it will provide plenty of pressure for the TBI pulling through the in-tank pump. On GM vehicles when the in-tank pump is powered off its in an open position. I run an in-tank pump and an in-line pump. If my in-tank pump fails then I connect the pigtails for the in-line pump up and am ready to rock. You have to make sure your in-line pump is also able to "pass-through" when not operating. Holly in-line pumps work great for this, as well as some of the $20 pumps from napa. I also cut a door in the floor just in case!