Fuel pump.....mechanical to electric

[woodscavenger]

My mech FP appears shot. I can't find a rebuild kit and when I was at the local parts store they had a generic electical FP with ratings fo 1-4# or 4-8#. My PU is wired ( I should say will be wired 12v)

Questions.

1) Should I switch to electric?

2) Which pressure range would be correct?

[Don Coatney]

Have you tried Rock Auto or NAPA on line for a new fuel pump? Others on this forum have had marginal luck with electric fuel pumps. My personal preference is to stick with the mechanical pump.

[Normspeed]

1 to 4# should be fine for a flathead 6 even with 2 carbs. Being 12 volt you would have a better range of choices in electric pumps. I use a 6 volt electric from Auto Zone, same one that's frequently on ebay for around $40. First one lasted exactly a year then quit. I had purchased a second one as backup, so that went in, and I bought one more new backup. One more failure and I'm switching back to mechanical.

I do like the fast startups and the security measures you can build in with an electric pump.

[oldmopar]

I see you have the 236 engine I know both NAPA and roberts has the fuel pumps for the 218 and 230 not sure if your engine uses the same pump you may need a part number from someone on the pilothouse side to use NAPA if not I would call roberts thay have been in business for years and may be able to help

(800)-231-3180

or Roberts

http://www.robertsmotorparts.com/truck_parts.asp

Also I would check a manual to find out what is output pressure of the fuel pump before you buy a electric pump. A electric pump needs a safety switch to shut it down in case of a accident as even if the engine stops the pump still keeps pumping until the key is off

[teardrop puller]

If you use an electric fuel pump, please put some kind of shutoff in case of accident. I use an oil pressure switch, no oil press. no power to the pump.

kai

[TodFitch]

I'd be really surprised if Antique Auto Parts Cellar did not have a rebuild kit for your car that is good for modern gas.

Antique Auto Parts Cellar

PO Box 3 (6 Chauncy Street)

Weymouth , MA 02190

Telephone: +1.781.335.1579

Fax: +1.781.335.1925

email: Thecellar@then-now.com

http://www.then-now.com/

[Norm's Coupe]

My mech FP appears shot. I can't find a rebuild kit and when I was at the local parts store they had a generic electical FP with ratings fo 1-4# or 4-8#. My PU is wired ( I should say will be wired 12v)

Questions.

1) Should I switch to electric?

2) Which pressure range would be correct?

As Don Coatney mentioned, I'd stay with the mechanical pump. I installed a 6 volt Bellows electric pump on my P15 Coupe about 2 years ago when my mechanical pump died. The electric pump only lasted about 10 or 11 months. The bellows split, then it would flood the engine out real bad. Turn the key on and it only took seconds to fill up the manifold all the way to the carb neck with fuel. I then ordered a new mechanical fuel pump from the auto parts store and put that back on. No more problems. Airtex still makes the mechanical fuel pumps for our cars that are compatible with modern fuels. Just call around to the local stores until you find one that carries Airtex pumps. If they don't have it in their books, do what I did. I called the Airtex factory and got customer service. They looked up the part number in their old books. I then ordered that part number through the local parts store. Only took about 3 days to get it.

[woodscavenger]

Thanks guys, great info

[jimwheeldon]

I bought mine from napa a few months ago....$48.00 for the complete pump. I coudn't find a kit and found the entire pump to be reasonable...and works great- a little noisy though-hopefully it'll seat in and quiet down.

[John Mulders]

interesting.

I have an electric pump and have had no problems sofar.

No idea what the brand is etc.

John

[Norm's Coupe]

Jim,

The new mechanical pump will be noisy when you first install it. Should get quiet though. Think I let my car idle for about 5 or 10 minutes before it stopped clicking/clacking. Once the oil gets up there and starts lubricating it, it will get quiet. Same thing happened when we put a new mechanical pump in my neighbors 79 Caddy.

[YukonJack]

If you use an electric fuel pump you want a rotary type, not a bellows type. The bellows or diaphram type don't hold up with fuel additives or methanol, it dries out the diaphram. Most say this on the instructions. I learned several years ago with a car I had, put a can of Heet in the gas tank and a week later the pump quit pumping but you could still hear it running.

[Normspeed]

Here's what mine looks like. Most electrics like to push fuel better than to pull it, so I think they work better near the tank. Mine is on the inner side of the left frame rail. There's an anti-siphon valve (came with the pump) and then the pump. I installed an inline plastic fuel filter before the anti siphon valve, and another fuel filter near the carbs. There's also a factory filter at the pickup in the tank. My Plymouth manual says fuel pressure should be 4 to 5 1/2 lbs. My electric puts out 4 lbs at the carbs.

[claybill]

that style from last posat is electronic..it has an in line piston that works all the time. but only 'pumps' as gas is needed. mine is fine one now. after 2 failing bellows types.

claybill