Tips For Installing Electric Fuel Pump On 1950 Wayfarer ?

[john cecil]

Recently purchased a decent orig. 50 Wayfarer. Engine sounds sweet, fluid drive works fine. Replaced all easy maintained items,radiator cap,vented gas cap,fuel filter ect. Now with warmer spring weather car seems to have the old vapor lock syndrome! I have purchased a carter 6v pump and have read several posts on this problem . Would like some more detailed info such as fuel pressure at carb,routing of fuel lines and general info about did it work? or did it not?  Thanx! John, Louisville, Ky.

[Don Coatney]

What is "the old vapor lock syndrome"? Exactly what problems are you having?

[Robert Horne]

Electric fule pumps do a better job at pushing fuel are than drawing fuel.

I put a fuel filter near the tank, and then the fuel pump.

I turn on the key, wait 3 second, and have fuel in the carb bowl, always has started easy now.

I installed a fuel pressure gauge near the carb.     Runs about 5 lb of pressure.....

[desoto1939]

I sued the Airtex newer model. Also put this unit near the gas tank.  If you have a positive ground system then  make sure the positive wire on the fuel pump is going to ground and the other wire is going to the power.  The instructions assume you have negative grounding.  Also make sure you have a 6 volt pump if using a 6 v system.

 

I have a toggle switch setup so that I turn on the ign key then flip the toggle switch and the pump then send fuel up through the mechanical pump into the carb.  Also remember that some of these pump have a shutoff when the bowel in the carb is full but the majority of these electric fuel  pump DO NOT.

 

I like the toggle switch because I then control when the pump is on and off. I use it most for priming the system after the car has sat for a few days.  I also have a fuel filter just before the carb. 

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[TodFitch]

What is "the old vapor lock syndrome"? Exactly what problems are you having?

 

Concur that this question should be answered. . . There are a couple of different hot start/restart issues that can develop and only one of them will be helped by an electric fuel pump.

[suntennis]

I have a Carter model P4259 pump in a 52 Plymouth that I mounted on the inside area of the frame on the driver side just forward of the rear axle. This area is easy to get to and mount. This pump works with positive or negative ground. My pump is mounted in line or in series with the engine pump and has around 2000 miles on it with no problems. I use the pump only for starting and vapor lock. Carter said their pump may be damaged if is turned off and fuel is pulled thru it from another pump. If you use the pump on the engine and do not have the electric pump on, Carter says to mount their pump in parallel with the engine pump. Carter can sell you a check valve to use if a parallel routing is done. The pump is great for cold and hot starts as well as vapor lock. Have talked with a number of folks that have used some form of heat protection for the fuel line and pump that works to prevent vapor lock.

Edited May 11, 2013 by suntennis

[ptwothree]

suntennis..... I hear those carters are quieter then the cheaper solenoid type pumps.....are they?  I'm thinking of going with the carter on mine......

[john cecil]

Thanx for the info! I spent a couple hours on the car this afternoon. Installed new steel lines with high temp wrap from mech. pump to carb. Car still dies when temp gauge reaches half way or normal operating temp!!!  I guess next step is to install electric pump.  JC.

[Plymouthy Adams]

is it dying due to fuel starvation...what have you done to verify the absence of fuel in the carb..have you removed the top for a look see? at minimum have you check to see if the accelerator pump is working...

[Don Coatney]

Thanx for the info! I spent a couple hours on the car this afternoon. Installed new steel lines with high temp wrap from mech. pump to carb. Car still dies when temp gauge reaches half way or normal operating temp!!!  I guess next step is to install electric pump.  JC.

I must ask, do you know what vapor lock is? I suggest you look into finding the real problem before buying an electric fuel pump that you dont need.

[suntennis]

My Carter fuel pump does not make that much noise. When used prior to starting, you can hear it operating. However while driving, I do not notice any noise. Purhaps the road noise is louder than the pump noise. Years back I did have a differnt make of pump that was noisier until I mounted it with rubber cushions to the frame. The rubber cushions had threaded bolt on each side of a piece of rubber about 1 1/2 inch thick and the studs were separated by rubber.

[John Reddie]

One of the P15's that I had was doing what you describe, stalling after running for a short while. It turned out to be a worn diaphram in the fuel pump but not vapor lock. The diaphram would stiffen up when the engine was not running for a while but was worn and would fail with use. I would do this; when the engine stalls, look down in the carburetor throat and work the throttle several times to see if the accelerator pump is squriting fuel as it should. If it is then your problem is not fuel related. Good luck to you.

John R