I've systematically been working to solve a rich condition on my 1965 F100 300 I6, resulting in some large back fires before i parked the tuck. To track the issue down I've already:
-Rebuilt carburetor and found no issues that would have caused the running rich.
-Adjusted the carb when reinstalled.
-Checked, cleaned, and gaped spark plugs.
-Compression check. All cylinders within 5PSI
-Removed the valve cover to verify all rockers are moving correctly. (I'm suspicious of my timing gear set and plan to replace it soon, also needed to replace the leaking valve cover gasket.
-Verified the distributor is rotating and doesn't have a lot of slop in it.
-Replaced the rotor and rotor cap since I had never done so since owning the truck.
-Cleaned and adjusted ignition points.

I then moved on to checking the fuel pressure the gauge registered 0PSI so i tried a second gauge and it also read 0PSI even tho the engine ran and dumped fuel when i hit the pressure release on the gauge. Having read this forum about the replacement pumps these days being crap and the truck having sat for a few months without being run i replaced the fuel pump. This time both fuel pressure gauges jumped immediately to 20PSI and the carb started leaking out of its main gasket.

Are there any good quality reproduction fuel pumps? Should i buy a used or NOS and rebuild it? Or should i just throw a regulator inline? Would putting a 5PSI regulator inline eventually break the fuel pump by pushing back against the 20PSI? Any other ideas?

 

These are tried and true. Holley 12-803 Holley Fuel Pressure Regulators | Summit Racing

 

I installed a Mr. Gasket Fuel Regulator - 9710 (it's what was available locally) and it immediately began spraying from the inlet side, I'm assuming from trying to hold back 20PSI and only let 5 PSI thru. On a good note the engine did run better, but witch spraying fuel i didn't let it run long.

Thank you, i will try one of these next.

 

Was the issue resolved? If not, keep the mechanical fuel pump, yes, these mechanical fuel pumps aren’t made to last and they do break around 8-10k miles, but the 300 works excellent with the mechanical pump. The fuel regulator could help as well. I run mine w the mechanical fuel pump and NO fuel regulator, but again the fuel pumps, which are all the same regardless of the price or distributor are all the same now days. Let’s us know