Sigh. I had a Holley electric which lasted about 5 months and I replaced it with a Carter mechanical (the street pump set at 6psi). Now the Carter has given up the ghost after about 8 months. I have no idea why I am going through pumps like this...I've never had this much problems with the fuel system. I pulled the Carter apart and everything looked fine to me, but its definitly crapped out. My fuel lines are new, unobstructed 3/8", and I have a high flow filter. I'm really stumped as to whats going on. I've got three tanks and they all flow fine. Anyways, what fuel pumps can you guys recomend and any thoughts as to why I've been having these problems? Sure, I could spend $$$ on a race Barry Grant setup but I just don't see why my engine should need that. Thanks guys.

 

I run that holley mechanical and have no problems. I can't think of anything that would cause an electric and a mechanical pump to go out like that. Has to be luck.

 

IMO, unless you get a fuel pump for an import from Japan you probably are getting an aftermarket electrical pump that is not going to last long. My view is they are usually race worthy but and not street worthy where they last months instead of years and decades.

It has been literally years (1985) since I remember this problem popping at a Ford dealer. I think I remember it being the lobe the pump lever was riding on was worn out and the eccentric whatever junked the pumps by wearing them out faster. Sort of like putting a new lifter on an old camshift.

 

The only common thing between the electric pump and the mechanical is the fuel coming from the tank. How does the filter look? What about tearing it apart and looking at the inlet side to see if there is any build up? I know Holley electric pumps use a rotary vane and particles will destroy the vanes in short order. That's why they recommend a filter on the inlet side.

The previous post metioned the fuel pump eccentric. How does the arm on the fuel pump look? Is it chewed up?

Let us know what you find.

Reggie

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Sep-02 AT 02:22 PM (EST)]
Yes, I've run the holley pump in the past without problems, but electrics being what they are I wasn't that surprised for it to give up. The Carter mechanical is something else. When I put it in it pumped at the adverstised 6 psi but always seemed to move low volume. Now the psi drops as low as 1 psi, but will sometimes spike all the way to 9 psi. The fuel pressure gauge is fine. It doesn't make sense that the Carter should go out...it could be bad luck but when I pulled the pump apart it looked fine. The filter is fine, I checked it and there isn't any build up. I run a filter between the tank and the pump. The lines are unrestricted...I pulled the inlet line of the pump and I can blow air back into the tank with no problem. I HAVE wondered about the fuel pump eccentric. The fuel pump arm looks fine, just the usual minor scoring from contact with the eccentric. Can the eccentric wear out? This would explain the problem but I haven't heard of it happening. I really suspect there must be more at work here than just the pumps but I'm scratching my head. If a new a high dollar set up like a Barry Grant would fix the problem I might just get one, but as mentioned, I shouldn't need it. Besides which, they are great for race applications but I'm not sure how great for extended daily use. Well, thats where I'm at so far guys. I appreciate your input and continuing thoughts.

 

Do you have something floating around in your fuel tank intermittantly blocking the fuel line?

Reggie

 

I would say its doubtfull. If this problem cropped up on only one tank, perhaps, but it acts the same on all three tanks. The line and manual selector valve is new too, so it wouldn't be those either. This is the first time I've been left scratching my head over something as simple as the fuel system

 

Take all the usual precautions using open containers of gasoline... blah blah blah.

Before this drives you crazy, here is what I would.

Get a long piece of fuel line, a gas can with five gallons of gas, and run the line directly to the filter before the pump bypassing the tanks and their related hardware. Make certain the problem is forward of the fuel filter. Run a line from the pump outlet to a very large clear glass jar. Watch the fuel being pumped out when cranking the truck. Then take the jar and hold it up to a bright lamp. See if you can see stuff floating around in it.

Disconnect the filter before the pump.
Attach the pump directly to the tanks.
Do the above step again and see if anything is floating in the gas.

Then let it sit for a day and see if you have water or stuff settle in the jar.

Hook up the line just before the carb to a glass jar. Repeat above step.

If everything checks okay, start suspecting a collapsing hose in the rear of the truck or a bad tank switching valve.

If all esle fails, move to the engine as a problem.

 

Thats great advice, thanks for the thoughtfull reply. Sadly though, I did all that yesterday, which is what prompted my post. I'm at the end of my rope! I spent all day testing the system out front to back, back to front, and then over again. Everything tests out fine, except that the fuel pump isn't pumping. The fuel pump itself looks fine both inside and out...no unusual external marring and clean as a whistle inside with no tears in the diaphram. The reason I'm puzzled is that I don't see how I can go through two fuel pumps in a year, one mechanical and one electric unless there is some other problem. I suppose I may have just gotten a lemon Carter mechanical but I always thought they were bulletproof. Well, life would be boring if things were easy...:-X23

 

 

I was replacing my fuel filter today and it was the wrong one because the ->IN<- inlet was switched with the ->OUT<- outlet (it is a 90 degree deal). I was just wondering if it would make any difference on your truck if the fuel filter was in backwards. I know on some EFI engines it makes a difference, was not sure if it would mean much with a carb.

 

Yea, I checked that since it would be something easy to get backwards. In fact, I think I have done that before then caught myself. I can never tell any difference in restriction when I blow through them but there must be a reason. Anyways, upon the advice (and after much research) of several guys who race FEs I'm getting a new Clay Smith mechanical to replace the Carter. My big FE sucks allot of fuel and as I have three tanks allot of line for it to be sucked through. The standard Carter is a two valve, 6 pound pump, and it apparently wasn't up to the job. The Clay Smith pump is a six valve, 18 pound pump and should do nicely. I've got a Holley regulator coming with it, hopefully I'll have it on by this weekend and I'll let you know what I think. Hopefully the problem isn't with the eccentric! But I'm feeling lucky...:-)

 

Seeing your post made me decide to nuke the fuel pump that was on the truck and replace it with the proper type that comes with the fuel filter attached. So, I went to NAPA for it.

I did note the warning about the different type arms available. Luckily the previous owner had not butchered it too much by trying to use a 302 fuel pump.