I just purchased an 87 f250 w/ a carb'd 460. I purchased it with the mech fuel pump swapped out to an electric. The previous owner states that they gave him the wrong electric pump and I should exchange it for a different one. The reason for him putting it on was to get it running for me to hear it run.

My question: Is this even recommended? I wouldn't mind staying with an electric pump up front. If it is recommended, what would be a suitable pump to replace it with, as in flow/feeding characteristics?


Also, it only feeds from the rear tank, which also has a bad fuel pump. I'd like to get both tanks functioning again. I'd rather not deal with the tank switching valve due to what I've read about them. Has anyone ever hooked up a manual valve and just switched tanks that way? I've searched this site extensively and couldn't find anything. I know I'm not the first to have thought about it.


Any help would be appreciated.

 

I do not think it came with an mechanical pump.
If they gave you a Fuel Injection frame pump do not use it as if it pumps into a block head the pressure can go as high as 95psi.

A stock 1987 460 truck should have two electric pumps, one in each tank and none on the frame.
I would put it back this way and go with the tank switching valve as they are very reliable. I do not know what you read about the tank switching valve but it was wrong and without it you will have no fuel gauge either. They do go out once in a while but this is very rare. Most of the time it is the switch on the dash or wiring as to why the tank switching valve does not work.
Also when the in-tank pumps do not work most of the time it is the oil pressure switch, fuel system relays, selector switch or starter solenoid wiring that is the problem.

A diagram as how you fuel system is set up:


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Thank you sir. I will heed your advice and get rid of the electric pump.

I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction as far as what to look for in regards to my in tank pump woes. I'll be sure to check the items you specified.

 

Here is a wiring diagram that might help.


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Thank you. That diagram will help me greatly. Can you tell me where to find the oil pressure switch? Can't thank you enough.

 

It is on the top center of the engine and at the rear of the engine.
See photo below:


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I can't seem to be able to find the selector switch anywhere. Do you have a part number or a lead on someone that sells it. Oriellys can't get one. The only ones I can find on the web is for 92 or above.

Sorry to be a pain. Just trying to get this beast running. The parts you listed to check are cheap, I was just going to replace them all and pray. Thanks a million.

 

This one should work:


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Wow. I was expecting some special dealership part. Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes. Won't be able to work on it for a couple days.

 

By the way your selector valve on the frame should look like this:


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You sir are a wealth of knowledge. I've saved all the diagrams and photos you published to my phone so Ivan have them with me when I tackle this thing. I was a little discouraged at first when I started looking up my problems. Now I think it shouldn't be too hard to get this thing going. Can't thank you enough. If you send me your PayPal info, there's a 12 pack of your favorite adult beverage on me.

 

I got to do some poking around today. Didn't have time to really work on it though. It does indeed have a mechanical pump on it. That electric pump that was added is rated at 5-9 psi. I may use it to get it to my buddies shop so we can figure out what's going on with this thing. I'll keep this updated. Hopefully it doesn't turn in to a nightmare.

 

You said above about it having electric pumps in the tanks and a carburetor so the above information would apply for a 1987 with a 460 (it only feeds from the rear tank, which also has a bad fuel pump).

Having a pump on the engine would suggest that some one has replaced the engine with an older 460 engine and maybe it did not have a 460 in it to start with.

I had a 1992 E-series 460 class C RV with a pump on the engine and I added fuel tanks with the electric pumps as it would have fuel problems at higher altitudes.
I even put one on the frame in series with the tank pumps and the pump on the engine and that seemed to fix the problem. The RV ran great at lower altitudes with just the engine pump so I just turned the electrics on at higher altitudes.