A little information before I can get to my issue.
I have a 1988 F-150 XLT Lariat, with a 302(replaced from a 1992 Bronco). The engine used to be EFI. With a little help from family, the EFI was removed and replaced with a 4 barrel Holly and 289 HI-PO intake. Had to put in a manual fuel regulator to slow down the fuel rate from the 36-ish PSI to 7-8ish PSE from the external HI-flow fuel pump.

Now to the problem. I have read multiple posts on other having the same issue. Truck idles roughly and dies at an idle and most of them are pointing to the external fuel pump. I have turned down the mechanical fuel regulator from its original setting on 4 of 5 all the way down to 1.5/2 of 5. When I give it gas while driving, I can tell that the engine is not getting enough fuel, because it bogs down like it isn't getting fuel. If I turn the mechanical fuel pump up to 3 or higher, the truck is getting too much fuel.

But, non of the post that I have read have mentioned that they are running a carb, so I assume they are all still running the EFI.

So the two questions that I have are this.
1: Will having that manual fuel regulator in the fuel system cause the original Hi-flow fuel pump to burn out form a slowed fuel rate?
2: Could it be that the carb possible need to be rebuilt?

Any help or ideas on this would be very helpful.
Thank you

 

Welcome to FTE

Don't know anything about reducing those kinds of fuel pressures, but generally any carb needs a certain minimum, and maximum pressure.

The float level must be checked/adjusted anytime a carb is setup for initial use. Further, anytime the fuel pressure changes (new fuel pump, say) the float level should be re-adjusted or at least checked. In your case, dialing the fuel pressure up or down significantly means this may be your problem. Worth ruling out.

 

When we Swapped over to the carb my dad did adjust the floats with the setting we have the manual fuel regulator on. The issue i am having started 2 days ago. But I will look into re-adjusting the floats in the carb.

Would putting in a FPR that is rated at about 9 PSI help the issue out at all possibly? Instead of having the stock HI-Flow pump on there?

 

Sounds over done.
The stock pump in the tank is all that is needed for a Carb engine in 1988. You do not need the regulator or the HP pump on the frame.
You may use the hot fuel return "T" to avoid vapor locking.
A good adjusted Carb should handle the fuel pressure from the tank pump.

 

Thank you for the reply. I will get to taking the Hi flow pump and the manual regulator off this week / weekend. I will let you know how it goes.

 

If you are using a Mr. Gasket regulator, you may want to use an in-line pressure gauge to make sure you are getting the right pressure. When you say the regulator is set to "2.5/5" or whatever, it sounds like you're using a dial regulator. I've had cheap regulators that came out of the box missing the diaphragm - no regulation at all. I am running a 160 GPH, 19 psi pump on the frame with a holley regulator set to 5.5 psi and it works great. There is no reason your setup should not work if the pressure is regulated properly. Two answer your other question, you should not have an issue running a high pressure pump with a low pressure regulator. Others may correct me, but I don't think they burn out from being restricted.