Return line plumbing
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,183
Likes: 1,174
Oh, I’m sorry you found yourself agreeing with me. That must have felt horrible. Maybe you can find something else to disagree, and it will all even out. 
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
How far apart is everything? Seems like a lot of work to physically add the return line. If the bed and tanks are off, access wouldn’t be too hard. But if those are presently installed, access would be miserable.
What I’m getting at is you could do the project in stages and see what happens. Given the chance to spend your time and money, I’d start with an electric pump back by the tanks. That should take care of any problems in the delivery line. I’d also add a phenolic spacer under the carb. That should help with the hot restart problem.
If the problem continues, you could always plumb the return line later. If you’ve really got your heart set on that, have at it. But if the bed and tanks are still installed (with no other reason to remove them), I’d be hard pressed to do all that extra work for minimal gain at best.
What I’m getting at is you could do the project in stages and see what happens. Given the chance to spend your time and money, I’d start with an electric pump back by the tanks. That should take care of any problems in the delivery line. I’d also add a phenolic spacer under the carb. That should help with the hot restart problem.
If the problem continues, you could always plumb the return line later. If you’ve really got your heart set on that, have at it. But if the bed and tanks are still installed (with no other reason to remove them), I’d be hard pressed to do all that extra work for minimal gain at best.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,369
Likes: 1,260
You're a fine fellow and agreeing with you bears no shame. And if I disagree I will say so too. The spacer is an excellent choice for the hot start issue. Probably fuel boils out while parked and hot. Then it take a little bit of cranking to refill the bowl. Might be the Edelbrock carb and the way it's set up. As for the existing Edelbrock pump if it's delivering at proper pressure and volume I'd look elsewhere for your hot start solution.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,369
Likes: 1,260
I mentioned back in post 6 that an electric pump mounted low on the frame usually stops vapor lock. So in this case Karl agreed with me before I agreed with him. Shhhhsh ...don't tell him though. He likes to be agreed with....
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
Fair i just prefer to not do a job twice. Did some more looking online, it looks like there are return style fuel senders for the 85-86 tanks so if i decide to drop my current ones and find them too be rusty that will probably be my next step. I'll try the non return style first since so many have attested it's affective ness what pump is recommended? I'm uncertain if this little edelbrock one should be a long term choice
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,183
Likes: 1,174
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tallation.html
It is designed for 6-8 PSI output. Not sure what your carb requires, so you may require a different model.
The one I have is several years old, so can't comment on the reliability of what you might purchase today. I have been very pleased with this pump. I've had to replace it once in about 10 years, due to a slight seepage. That didn't seem out of line for durability.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
I installed a carter pump back in 21 and it's still working so far ... but mileage is low on it. 4k milesish
Won't lie. in back of the neurons I have reservations of longevity with parts qualities these days.
Won't lie. in back of the neurons I have reservations of longevity with parts qualities these days.
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
AI
Current Carter fuel pumps, often produced in China, have a
mixed to poor reputation for reliability, with many users reporting premature failures. While some users report satisfactory performance, numerous reviews detail issues like oil leaks, low pressure, and units failing within weeks or minutes.
Reliability Concerns & Feedback:
Facet fuel pumps, particularly the solid-state and cylindrical "cube" models, are renowned for
high reliability and long service life in automotive, industrial, and experimental aircraft applications. They are versatile, compatible with various fuels, and feature a simple design with no diaphragms or bearings to wear out.
Current Carter fuel pumps, often produced in China, have a
mixed to poor reputation for reliability, with many users reporting premature failures. While some users report satisfactory performance, numerous reviews detail issues like oil leaks, low pressure, and units failing within weeks or minutes.
Reliability Concerns & Feedback:
- High Failure Rates: Multiple reports on forums and retail sites indicate that modern Carter pumps (both electric and mechanical) often fail prematurely, sometimes lasting only a few weeks.
- Quality Control Issues: Customers have reported issues with new units right out of the box, including poor thread quality, leaking bodies, and faulty pivot pins.
- Performance Issues: Some users note that modern versions do not meet the performance standards of older, US-made units.
- Noise Levels: Some rotary vane electric pumps, such as the P4070, are reported as being very loud.
- Premature Failure: Pumps failing, causing cars to stall or not start.
- Leaks: Mechanical pumps leaking oil from the weep hole or diaphragm.
- Low Pressure: Inability to maintain proper, consistent fuel pressure.
Facet fuel pumps, particularly the solid-state and cylindrical "cube" models, are renowned for
high reliability and long service life in automotive, industrial, and experimental aircraft applications. They are versatile, compatible with various fuels, and feature a simple design with no diaphragms or bearings to wear out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,369
Likes: 1,260
Someone posted that Facet pumps are made in the USA. If true then that's a good reason to go that route. I was on their website looking at their pumps and I'm pretty sure I read not suitable for aircraft as the rigorous testing required has not been done. Maybe an experimental model is somehow ok? Unmanned? Over on the IDI forum many happy users of the Facet Duralift.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
I would install a facet , it is my backup plan if this carter fails on me.
As for aircraft, well you don't want the pump to fail while you're in the air, worst case in a vehicle you are in heavy traffic and can't get off the road.
Or in my case going up a hill and just barely getting past the fire departments front bay doors.
As for aircraft, well you don't want the pump to fail while you're in the air, worst case in a vehicle you are in heavy traffic and can't get off the road.
Or in my case going up a hill and just barely getting past the fire departments front bay doors.
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