Replacing Mech Fuel Pump with Electric

[navydevildoc]

OK guys, need some guidance from the Sages of the Series...

I decided to dump my mechanical fuel filter after I was having problems when full bore on the big streets here in San Diego. I would be doing 60 with no problem, then have a spurt of no power, then kick back in again about 1 to 2 seconds later. It would only happen when under sustained wide open throttle, never at idle, and not when I just blipped the pedal. Also, my inline fuel filter I put in when I got my weber carb never fills up all the way.

Everything seems to point to a mechanical pump that is just not keeping up with the times. So I went to O'Reilly's (nee Kragen) and picked up the Bestest 8016S, which has been mentioned on here in the past as the pump to get.

I have it all in, but I am trying to decide what to do with the mechanical pump. As far as I can tell, I have 3 major options:

1) Leave it there and let it suck air for the rest of it's existence. This is the laziest, but also *may* make it available in the unlikely case that the electrical pump fails.

2) Pull it out, and fabricate a plate to cover up the opening with a custom gasket. Most work involved option.

3) Leave it in, but cap off the inlet and outlet so that no dirt and grime get in. I am worried that this would basically make it a big vacuum pump against the cap on the inlet side, and just wear it out even faster.

Anyone want to offer their opinion?

[TJR]

OK guys, need some guidance from the Sages of the Series...
3) Leave it in, but cap off the inlet and outlet so that no dirt and grime get in. I am worried that this would basically make it a big vacuum pump against the cap on the inlet side, and just wear it out even faster.

Anyone want to offer their opinion?

3A. Leave it in and connect the inlet to the outlet with a short section of hose so it's "closed loop", and avail if you feel you ever need it.

Option 2 really isn't that hard either

Option 4. replace the Mechanial pump w/ a fresh one?

TJR

[navydevildoc]

3A. Leave it in and connect the inlet to the outlet with a short section of hose so it's "closed loop", and avail if you feel you ever need it.

Oooohhhh. I hadn't thought of that! This is my new game plan.

Option 4. replace the Mechanial pump w/ a fresh one?

To be honest, after my ignition switch shorted out to the chassis and released the magic smoke a few nights ago (another 200 bucks down the drain to replace that), plus a bunch of other odds and ends I need to get, a 30 dollar electric fuel pump was a nice change of pace.

[LaneRover]

FYI my inline fuel filter never fills up either with my mechanical pump.

Brent

[hughwilton]

More FYI: When I needed a fuel pump I tried two new mechanical ones & neither would pump enough gas for my motors needs so I solved the problem with an electric pump. I then plugged mine off in place and kept it for a back up.

[Andrew IIA]

Also, my inline fuel filter I put in when I got my weber carb never fills up all the way.

I'm not convinced that the fuel pump is the source of the problem, but I like the idea of leaving it in as a closed-loop in-place spare.

It is normal for the inline fuel filter to be only partially filled (1/2 or less) under normal operation.

Best regards, Andrew
'63 SIIA 88" w/ 2bbl weber

[navydevildoc]

OK, so I am open to ideas on what else it may be... truck runs great in all other respects (engine wise anyway), just when it's WFO it starts to have issues, and for a second or to at a time, but if I slow down it goes away.

Timing seems spot on, she has brand new plugs, new plug wires, new vacuum advance hose, and a pertronix ignition. Pretty much the only thing I could think of was maybe a coil that was starting to crap the bed.

I should add that I have not yet test driven the truck since replacing the pump... this all started as a project to install new seats, and like most series projects turned in to something much more involved....

[Tim Smith]

I too have a similar problem but only on the right side tank. I'm pretty sure the transfer switch is just a little dirty and maybe the right side line needs a good blowing out too but an electric pump will be going in place as part of my fix.

Would be nice to have immediate starts when the locals are ogling that weird truck.

[Andrew IIA]

I had similar a 'fuel starving' issue. It was intermittent, and tended to be worse at high temps (highway running in the summer). It happened during high speed running and also on heavy acceleration. Turned out to be sticky accelerator pump lever/return on the 2 bbl weber. Lots of cleaning and lubing of the lever & return spring related to the accelerator pump on the carb fixed it.

Hope that helps (not sure what weber you have).

Best regards, Andrew
'63 SIIA 88" SW

[msggunny]

What Webber are you running? The 34ich or the 32/36?