Mechanical fuel pump

E

edgar t. kremer

New member
Nov 7, 1998
198
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When I installed my electric fuel pump I left the mechanical pump in-line. I
eventually removed the mechanical pump & "manufactured" my own cover plate.

> Hey All;
>
> When installing an electric fuel pump, does one remove the mechanical one
> or leave it in (I don't believe there are any restrictions in the way inside
> of the pump)? Is the electric pump used in conjuction with the mechanical
> pump? Are there blanking plates available to cover up the hole after the
> mechanical pump is removed?
 
After my experience with electric fuel pumps, I would hesitate before
removing the mechanical. My electric pump swallowed air while low on
gas and on a hill and it was all over. Even the reserve tank, reading
1/3 full, was not high enough for the electric pump to suck gas up the
hose. Even though I can suck gas out of the tank with a clear tubing
with 0.5 inches vacuum, the pump can't. (Ugly way to prime the pump
)

I would search for an electric GM pump that is submersed in the tank.
Perhaps someone has researched the availability of such.

 
I ran w/an electric fuel pump (purchased from Caspro) for several years
before removing the mechanical pump. I never had any trouble. As for
pumping gas out of a tank low on gas, I was able to run out of gas on I-95
- - both tanks were dry as indicated by the fuel gauge. I poured in 5
gallons & drove to a gas station. The pump primed the carb immediately.

I made a cover plate for the mechanical pump out of 1/8 aluminum.

> After my experience with electric fuel pumps, I would hesitate before
> removing the mechanical. My electric pump swallowed air while low on
> gas and on a hill and it was all over. Even the reserve tank, reading
> 1/3 full, was not high enough for the electric pump to suck gas up the
> hose. Even though I can suck gas out of the tank with a clear tubing
> with 0.5 inches vacuum, the pump can't. (Ugly way to prime the pump
> )
>
> I would search for an electric GM pump that is submersed in the tank.
> Perhaps someone has researched the availability of such.
>
> When installing an electric fuel pump, does one remove the
> mechanical one or leave it in (I don't believe there are any
> restrictions in the way inside
> of the pump)? >>
>
> Just my humble opinion,
> Bill
> '74 Glacier
> _________________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
 
Bill,

What electric did you install and where?

Do you know its output pressure?

Richard

> After my experience with electric fuel pumps, I would hesitate before
> removing the mechanical. My electric pump swallowed air while low on
> gas and on a hill and it was all over. Even the reserve tank, reading
> 1/3 full, was not high enough for the electric pump to suck gas up the
> hose. Even though I can suck gas out of the tank with a clear tubing
> with 0.5 inches vacuum, the pump can't. (Ugly way to prime the pump
> )
>
> I would search for an electric GM pump that is submersed in the tank.
> Perhaps someone has researched the availability of such.
>
> When installing an electric fuel pump, does one remove the
> mechanical one or leave it in (I don't believe there are any
> restrictions in the way inside
> of the pump)? >>
>
> Just my humble opinion,
> Bill
> '74 Glacier
> _________________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
>
 
Ed,

> I ran w/an electric fuel pump...for several years before removing the
mechanical pump. I never had any trouble. As for
> pumping gas out of a tank low on gas, I was able to run out of gas............

Was this when the electric and mechanical were both in the line?

Also, do you recall which electric pump it was, where it was installed, its
output pressure, and whether you also had a pressure regulator?

Are you running with only the electric one now?

(Lots of questions 'cause you seem to have the working setup.)

Thanks,

Richard
 
[Admin note - Ed, this post was html encoded. Please post in "plain
text" only. Patrick]

> > I ran w/an electric fuel pump...for several years before removing the
> mechanical pump. I never had any trouble. As for
> > pumping gas out of a tank low on gas, I was able to run out of gas...
>
> Was this when the electric and mechanical were both in the line?

Only the electric was in-line when I "intelligently" ran out of gas.

>
> Also, do you recall which electric pump it was,

The model originally sold by Caspro which is different from the one he
currently sells.

> where it was installed,

I installed it immediately after the changeover fuel valve. It is
mounted behind the frame cross member (for protection) near the valve.

> its output pressure,

I measured it years ago, but don't recall. Apparently I considered it
within specs.

and whether you also had a pressure regulator?
* No regulator.

> Are you running with only the electric one now?
>
> Yes, for 4 years.

Check my website
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/greenside/321/page9.html for
wiring. Most "mechanics" install an additional oil pressure switch to
control emergency shut-down. I use the alternator/diode arrangement.
This will only work if you have a diode isolator.
 
Gang, Sounds like we need one of them thar "Lewinsky-Clinton" pumps for our
rigs.
Dirty Dick 75 PB in Atlanta

>When I installed an electric fuel pump on a step-van a couple of years a
>mechanic told me to install it as close to the gas tank as possible because
>the electric pumps were pretty good at pushing the fuel but not very good at
>sucking it.
>
>FWIW
>
>David
>
 
> I ran w/an electric fuel pump...for several years before
removing the
mechanical pump. I never had any trouble. As for
> pumping gas out of a tank low on gas, I was able to run out of
gas............

Was this when the electric and mechanical were both in the line?

Only the electric was in-line when I "intelligently" ran out of gas.


Also, do you recall which electric pump it was,

The model originally sold by Caspro which is different from the one
he currently sells.

where it was installed,

I installed it immediately after the changeover fuel valve. It is
mounted behind the frame cross member (for protection) near the
valve.

its output pressure,

I measured it years ago, but don't recall. Apparently I considered
it within specs.

and whether you also had a pressure regulator?

No regulator.

Are you running with only the electric one now?

Yes, for 4 years.

Check my website
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/greenside/321/page9.html for
wiring. Most "mechanics" install an additional oil pressure switch
to control emergency shut-down. I use the alternator/diode
arrangement. This will only work if you have a diode isolator.
 
Ed,

Thank you for filling us in on your electric pump, and for "testing" its ability
to re-prime after running dry.

Richard
 
Thanks for thed inputs. I am searching for a fuel pump that will prime
itself when the tank is low. Mine is also located right after the
changeover valve. This weekend I will run a test to see how full the
tank needs to be in order to prime the pump. It is a Holley that goes
with the TBI.

Thanks,
Bill

clip ..........

> I ran w/an electric fuel pump...for several years before removing
the mechanical pump. I never had any trouble. As for pumping gas out
of a tank low on gas, I was able to run out of gas............

Was this when the electric and mechanical were both in the line?

Only the electric was in-line when I "intelligently" ran out of gas.

Also, do you recall which electric pump it was,

The model originally sold by Caspro which is different from the one he
currently sells.

where it was installed,

I installed it immediately after the changeover fuel valve. It is
mounted behind the frame cross member (for protection) near the valve.

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
 
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