fuel pump reliability
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fuel pump reliability
Posted: August 09 2005 03:28 PM
 
Al Christopher (aka MasterDeluxe) [ View ] [ itsa39@webtv.net ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Runnemede, New Jersey
 
Which is more reliable,OEM fuel pump,or an after market mechanical fuel pump.Such as Holley,Carter,Edelbrock etc.Any favorities ? .......Al C
 
 
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Posted by Tweety37  -  08/09/2005 01:15 PM

I have the same problem as masterdeluxe, only my '37 Chevy is hard to start after only 2 or 3 days. I pulled the gas line off just ahead of the pressure regulator on the frame and the line to the carb was bone dry. I usually switch on the elec pump and let it run for about15 seconds before trying to start it up. I was told a check valve in the gas line would prevent this, but I haven't been able to find one.



'37
Tweety37 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Bismarck, North Dakota
 
Posted by orphans2  -  08/09/2005 02:53 PM
Neither of my two cars has had a mechanical pump since they were converted to rods. On the streetrod I let the pump run about 15 seconds before trying to start. On the custom, I wait until the pump stops clicking, then it the key. Usually never have to touch the accelerator on the custom. Street rod is a little tougher to start than the custom, hard to tell when the Holley pump has stopped priming. Street pumps (versus racing pumps) are reasonably priced so I always carry a spare. Both have in line filters (Fram performance filters HPG-1) and adjustable pressure regulators. Very reliable systems.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by MasterDeluxe  -  08/08/2005 12:03 PM
Thanks Crash.That's a good point.I have been told there are certain thing that in a street rod that is adriver should be OEM.I have been told,stay with thw HEI ignition, don't go after market.After market is ok for a trailer queen.......Al C
MasterDeluxe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Runnemede, New Jersey Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by jbergman  -  08/08/2005 01:19 PM
I have an Auto Zone electric fuel pump has over 20,000 miles on it, but I keep a spare under the seat cost of the pump is about $20.00
jbergman [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Waterloo, Illinois
 
Posted by orphans2  -  08/08/2005 02:31 PM
I have a Holley electric in my street rod and it 's about 10 years old. In my custom car I have a Stewart Warner electric that I prefer over the Holley. The SW is at least 15 years old and still going strong. I got a spare SW at a swap meet for $20 and carry it with me on long trips.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by bigdude  -  08/07/2005 12:13 PM
The brand name one are sometimes rebuildable.
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by maniac  -  08/08/2005 03:01 PM
I carry a spare electric pump also, easy to change if something goes wrongt.
maniac [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Bethel, Connecticutt
 
Posted by MasterDeluxe  -  08/08/2005 04:40 PM
Thanks all.I see a trend,electric fuel pumpsover mecahanical fuel pumps.Hey,how about Ron Francis' electric fuelpump shut off that shuts off upon impact ? On the other side of the coin.How about after market mechanical fuel pump favorates ? .......Al C
MasterDeluxe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Runnemede, New Jersey Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by orphans2  -  08/09/2005 03:01 PM

Carl, If you want a one way check valve for your fuel line between your fuel pump and the regulator you can get them from Jegs, http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4355&prmenbr=361



They run between $56 and $68 depending on size. I don't use one, but everyone's needs are different.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by MasterDeluxe  -  08/09/2005 03:28 PM
Thanks cooplean and orphan,As I sais my existing fuel filter has a built-in check valve.I haven't seen anybody mention Edelbrock brand ofelectric fuel pumps.Is there any one brand that ishead and shoulders above the rest ?
MasterDeluxe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Runnemede, New Jersey Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by crash12888  -  08/08/2005 10:19 AM
Agree with bdude about brands being rebuidable. On the other hand, pump failure on Sunday afternoon in "make em squeal" Va. might bring better odds of finding an oem pump at the local parts store. just my thoughts.
crash12888 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Chesterfield, Virginia
 
Posted by crash12888  -  08/08/2005 07:17 PM
One of the main reasons the trend went from mechanical to electric pumps was when all the aftermarket brackets and options (a/c, p/s) became available and there wasn't room for the mechanical pumps. Or when the application called for higher pressure or volume. Then came the in-tank electrics and cured alot of issues. Most oem pumps have gone 100k miles or better on millions of cars, not sure about aftermarket pumps, but one the other hand, I've seen both fail in as little as a week. Personally, I favor the oems.
crash12888 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Chesterfield, Virginia
 
Posted by Tweety37  -  08/08/2005 01:14 PM

Along the same lines, how reliable are electric pumps? My '37 Chevy coupe has a Holly street pump. The car has about 17K on it and I am starting to worry a little about getting stranded somewhere out on the lone prairie.



'37
Tweety37 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Bismarck, North Dakota
 
Posted by MasterDeluxe  -  08/08/2005 09:00 PM
Thanks crash.When my car sits for a couple of weeks with out running,when I go to start it you have to crasnk and crank and pump the gas pedal.Would an electric pump fix this ? .....Al C
MasterDeluxe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Runnemede, New Jersey Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by MasterDeluxe  -  08/09/2005 09:28 AM
Crash,I run an inline fuel filter between the pump and carb.It's a Billet specialty with if I'm not mistaking a check valve.That was a great explaination,thanks again.....Al C
MasterDeluxe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Runnemede, New Jersey Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by crash12888  -  08/08/2005 10:33 PM
Not if the problem is not the fuel pump. Choke working properly? Could be the fuel is draining out of the carb into the motor while it sits. might be cranking just to clear the cylinders before it fires. Crank for a few seconds and pull a plug and check it. wet? If the valves in the mechanical pump are going bad, the fuel could be running back away from the carb. Could be you are having to crank just to refill and pressurize the system before it starts. An electric pump would compensate for the problem by "priming" the system before you start cranking but would not fix the root cause problem unless it was in fact the old pump.
crash12888 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Chesterfield, Virginia
 
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