Nothing wrong with using a sump....just gotta be careful not to let the fuel level get too low, with an unbaffled tank you run the risk of drawing a big slug of air when it sloshes around.

 

Nice work Dan!! I know there's been talk of putting the pump in the tank, but I don't think anyone has done it yet. I'm eager to hear how it's working out once you get some more time on it.

 

Of course i just bought a holley blue pump to do the prepump mod. Aw well i'll give it a shot. If i dont like it i may give your idea a shot. Building your own setups is right up my alley. Again great work kwik and keep it up!!

 

Kwik,

Can you list the name/part number of that pump?

You got my wheels turning considering I still need to do the Hutch mods to my tank.

 

VW part number: 171906091A
Or Bosch part number: 0 580 254 957
Or the short Bosch part number: 69 430

You must drill out the check valve in the outlet of the pump or it will not flow enough. The check valve is contained in the little steel fitting that screws into the outlet of the pump so you can simply remove it, drill it out and reinstall. Or simply remove it and use an alternate form of plumbing to get the job done. Just don't try and run with the check valve. Not enough flow. Not having a check valve is a non-issue. The truck starts easier without one for some reason.

 

Kwik, do you think it would be beneficial to drill out the check valve on a pump that is still mounted to the frame?

 

Hmmm, no. It's mounted above the level of the fuel tank and that leaves the potential for drainback on a long period of storage. That leaves the pump high and dry without a prime and it has to pump air to get some fuel. I ran without a check valve for a while like that and it never dried up, but I drove it frequently. So I guess it would depend on your driving habits.

 

The potential for drainback hadn't crossed my mind. I was just looking for more flow. I don't drive it every day, but it usually doesn't sit for more than 3-5 days. I wonder if installing a lift pump would eliminate the worry of no prime to the main pump if it sat for a few days?

 

You'll probably be fine. Mine sits all weekend no issues.

 

Update:
I went out this morning and it was cold enough for the door to be iced shut this morning, so it was a good test for a cold start.
I turned the key and the pump made the same noise!!!
There's no way that it's starving for fuel in it's current location, so now I'm wondering if maybe I just have too much Bio-diesel in the tank and it's jelling in the freezing weather. Funny part about it is the noise goes away as soon as I start the engine. I even went back and listened to make sure.
Oh well, at least I can be confident that there is no way for air to get into the fuel.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but just thinking about it, I don't think Ford has ever put a fuel pump in the tank on any diesel pickup, have they?

If I am right, do you guys have any theories as to why?

 

kwik, your fuel pump noise before start up is just from the pump bulk heading. the pump gets quiet after start up because the fuel has somewhere to go.the fuel pumps on all my race cars would do the same thing. might not be 100% right, but i might be close.

simms

 

I'd bet on this too. All the pumps on my race cars would run smooth until they build pressure then they grind and groan. I guess that's what happens when you use a pump rated for almost 30psi and regulate it down to 7psi.

 

Hey kwik, In my trucks i've always had addon wire harnesses running with the hydraulics. I got PVC jacketed wire from IBS, High strenght bolt or Teeple and Teeple.

 

That would do it I think. How do you get a hold of them?