Fuel Pump - Manual or Electric

[V8 BJC]

Seems that my fuel pump on my SBC 383 has decided enough is enough and has given up on me. Was talking to a local guy about it & he was surprised that I was running a mechanical pump and not an electric one.

He sugested using a setup involving a FILTER KING (which apparently acts as a filter and a pressure regulator) combined with a RED TOP COMPETITION electric pump.

I have limited knowledge on the subject so can you let me have your thoughts on:

1. The pros & cons of mechanical v electric setups
2. The FILTER KING - any good?
3. Any other suggestions on what to buy to replace the duff mechanical pump currently installed.

Thx in advance
Brian

[craggle]

Hi Brian

My car has an electric pump. It's a Carter or Fedral Mogul one available from Re-Power. It produces 6 psi fuel pressure and about 72 Gallons per hour (if needed) I was going to fit a pressure regulator though as I suffer from flooding under braking.

A few pros to electric fuel pumps.

They will self prime the carb so the engine doesn't have to be cranked to fill the float chamber.
The pump is away from heat (under the car) so this could be considered safer.

A few cons to electric fuel pumps.

They are noisy
They will continue to pump in the event of an accident even if the engine stalls. Not good if the fuel line is ruptured.

Installing an electric pump into your car would now require a pump, Filters, Regulator, Electric cables and additional plumbing.

If a mechanical pump has worked for you up to now, just get a replacement.

Craig.

[craggle]

RePower does a range of mechanical pumps. Just make sure you get a self regulated one if you don't have an addition pressure regulator in the line.

http://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/index.a...ory=Mechanical

Craig.

[SJ]

Brian,

I don't claim to have any particular expertise on fuel pumps, however, like you I run a 383 and elected to go down the electric pump route. I fitted a street rod fuel pump from Demon Tweeks. It costs a pretty penny and even more when you buy the regulator that you will need to go with it along with the return fuel pipe back to the tank. I added a stainless link onto the carb and attached a psi gauge so I could keep an eye on the fuel pressure plus a couple of 100 micron filters. It looks great, appears to work superbly with no indication of fuel related problems under acceleration or braking. Like so many things in the world of Cobra it's probably completely over the top, but hey, that's why I built one!

As has been mentioned the one drawback is that they are noisy at tick over.

Regards

SJ

[Sidecarbod]

Originally Posted by craggle

Hi Brian


They will continue to pump in the event of an accident even if the engine stalls. Not good if the fuel line is ruptured.


Craig.

Not always the case!

Mine is fed power via a oil pressure switch, as long as the motor stops so does the pump. I also have a little button that I press for a couple of seconds before starting the car to overide the pressure switch and hence prime the carb. (If I'm in a silly mood I sometimes say "Contact" to my self whilst pressing the button )


Regards,

Pete

[Dutch Paul]

I used the old theory of KISS and went mechanical.
Edelbrock chrome 110g/hr.

I don`t know whether it was the right/wrong choice - but it seems to work fine.

[Neil O]

Brian, my Chevy mechanical pump chucked in after a year. It was fine up until then, no problem at all. I then went to a Carter electric pump with Filter King filter/regulator.
I also use an oil pressure safety cut out switch and an override switch for priming the carb.
This set up has worked fine for nearly 3 years. It is also a bit of work to fit etc. and far more to go wrong. I've had a fuse blow that stopped the pump, not sure why as it's been fine ever since.
In hindsight, I would have just replaced the mechanical pump with a better quality item.
I have decided to go mechanical on the sideoiler, to keep things simple.

[dave]

Ditto to most of the comments above.
Only to add that Brian and Neil's original mechanical pumps cost around £10 each. How much does it cost for the full electric with safety cut off stuff? I should imagine somewhere nearer 10 times the price. And at £10 for a std looking type one it wouldn't break the bank to carry a spare.

[V8 BJC]

Thanks for the imput above guys. Decided to go the simple route and replace the mechanical pump with the Edelbrock 110 GPH Street Unit which does not require further fuel regulation.

Plan to fit this weekend all being well so will be back on the road

Regards
Brian