Electric Vs. Mechanical Fuel Pumps?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Electric Vs. Mechanical Fuel Pumps?
Just a generic question about Mechanical vs. Electric Fuel pumps, and your opinions.
What are the major differences? It seems Electric pumps give faster starts, and i'm seeing some people only use them to "prime" the fuel bowls? I know mechanical pumps are known for thier reliability.
Also I was wondering what makes a carburetor take a long time to fill with fuel. is it all evaporating from the fuel bowls? (Holley, after it sits) and are there other ways to get fast starts using mechanical pumps?
I'm in kind of a different position than most people, I know OBD & EFI inside and out, but carburetors are from another world to me, but i'm learning, slowly but surely.
What are the major differences? It seems Electric pumps give faster starts, and i'm seeing some people only use them to "prime" the fuel bowls? I know mechanical pumps are known for thier reliability.
Also I was wondering what makes a carburetor take a long time to fill with fuel. is it all evaporating from the fuel bowls? (Holley, after it sits) and are there other ways to get fast starts using mechanical pumps?
I'm in kind of a different position than most people, I know OBD & EFI inside and out, but carburetors are from another world to me, but i'm learning, slowly but surely.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,619
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From: Albuquerque
In a way this pertains to this forum as our group of vehicles are all starting to suffer from vapor lock due to reformulated fuels. The main benefit of an electric pump is alieviating those symtoms.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 236
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From: Santa Barbara
I have a Jeep Grand Wagoneer that I replaced the mechanical pump with an electric one due to vapor lock issues. The electric one essentially pressurizes the fuel line from the tank(if you mount the pump back there), which raises the boiling point in the line as compared to the suction used in a mechanical pump. This worked on that vehicle. I also use it to prime the carb if it has been sitting a while.
I've had no issues with my '79 F150 302 so it still uses a mechanical pump.
I've had no issues with my '79 F150 302 so it still uses a mechanical pump.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by beartracks
In a way this pertains to this forum as our group of vehicles are all starting to suffer from vapor lock due to reformulated fuels. The main benefit of an electric pump is alieviating those symtoms.
48-60
61-66
67-72
It should be in the fuel delivery forum
Too bad they quit moving threads to their proper place.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
The one thing about electric Fuel pumps is the shut-down system.
I did a TBI to Carb swap and used a oil pressure switch to actuate the ground for turning the pump On/off.
The last thing in the world someone needs is to get in a collison and the pump keeps pumping fuel into a fire
I did a TBI to Carb swap and used a oil pressure switch to actuate the ground for turning the pump On/off.
The last thing in the world someone needs is to get in a collison and the pump keeps pumping fuel into a fire
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,364
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From: Eustis FL
I guess you wouldn't need a fuel pressure regulator, as most early TBI systems used lower pressures, right?
My '84 Lincoln Continental had TBI, and I had considered a carb swap to eliminate minor problems with the choke system and high speed idle... The project never materialized, but I still enjoyed the car and it's realtime mpg computer, trip minder, digital display, miles to empty, etc... Be kinda cool to put cluster and computer in an old truck!
My '84 Lincoln Continental had TBI, and I had considered a carb swap to eliminate minor problems with the choke system and high speed idle... The project never materialized, but I still enjoyed the car and it's realtime mpg computer, trip minder, digital display, miles to empty, etc... Be kinda cool to put cluster and computer in an old truck!
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