Fuel Pump Fiasco...
#760143
07/28/10 02:22 PM
07/28/10 02:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 397 Ozona, Texas
Paladin
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 397
Ozona, Texas
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To All, I have seen some posts here on running electrical fuel pumps as a "booster" for your mechanical pump, so I thought I might add my little recent experience... The car is my 1971 Charger R/T 440 Magnum. I was having a little fuel delivery problem (when cold or high RPM WOT), and had an idea. Basically, I mounted a small Carter cylindrical electric fuel pump (P74029)where the steel line from the tank ends in the right front fenderwell area. Being a "Wiley E. Coyote" type , a mounted an inline fuel filter right before the pump, and wired the power feed off the ignition wire. The wire went through a JEG's low oil pressure (5PSI) switch, and a Snow Performance vacuum switch which energizes at 5 inches or less of vacuum. This means the engine has to be running and near WOT for the pump to come on. Finally, I ran a green LED light to the instrument panel, along with a toggle switch. The light comes on when the pump comes on, and you can use the toggle to fill the carb bowl on cold starts, or when the car hasn't been driven much. Immensely proud of myself , and enjoying plenty of gas at WOT, I decided to take the Charger on a 200 mile trip yesterday. When the wife and I arrived at our destination, I noted that the mechanical fuel pump was leaking quite a bit. The pump is ten years old, so those things happen. I simply bypassed the mechanical pump, and kept the electrical pump on full time. The thing did not last the day, and gave out on us during the trip home. Due to the risk of fire from the leaky mechanical , I had one brought out from my stash at home and replaced it road side. Made for a long night; luckily my wife is a real hand and was very helpful during the ordeal. Guess that is why we are celebrating our 25th next March. Now, has anyone heard of electrical pumps going out so fast? I know I had it mounted in a less than perfect position, but I know of guys who have run pumps in this manner for years day in and day out. The pump was mounted at least six inches from the headers, so I don't think excessive heat is the case. Are Carters of this type having issues, or did I just get a bad one? Also, does anyone have other recommendations? May God bless America, Paladin
Last edited by Paladin; 07/28/10 02:31 PM.
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 1977 Chrysler Cordoba A35 1979 Dodge Lil� Red Express 1981 Chevrolet Corvette 1985 Chevrolet Corvette 1986 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster 1994 Lincoln Mark VIII 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Sport V10
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Re: Fuel Pump Fiasco...
[Re: Paladin]
#760144
07/28/10 02:35 PM
07/28/10 02:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848 Memphis
HemiRick
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
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electric pumps are designed top pump fuel, not suck it, and they should be close to the tank....but I think you just got a bum pump.
Take care, Rick 68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: Fuel Pump Fiasco...
[Re: HemiRick]
#760145
07/28/10 02:45 PM
07/28/10 02:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,098 A Banana Republic near you.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,098
A Banana Republic near you.
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Quote:
electric pumps are designed top pump fuel, not suck it, and they should be close to the tank....but I think you just got a bum pump.
Yes , that pump should be mounted as close to the fuel pick as possible, it was destined to fail where you mounted it .
I'm unfamiliar with that number, did you check the output pressure of that electric pump, though I think the symptoms you were having were a sign the mechanical pump was on it's way out .
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Re: Fuel Pump Fiasco...
[Re: Paladin]
#760146
07/28/10 02:46 PM
07/28/10 02:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,564 St. Clair Shores, Michigan
bigsbigelow
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,564
St. Clair Shores, Michigan
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Next time mount the electric pump as close to the fuel tank as possible. Like said, electric pumps are designed to push fuel not pull it. My engine builders Road Runner has the same fuel system set up as you (his electric pump runs constantly, though) but mounted the electric pump near the fuel tank and has had no issues.
Oh darn, JohnRR treed me.
Last edited by bigsbigelow; 07/28/10 02:46 PM.
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Re: Fuel Pump Fiasco...
[Re: bigsbigelow]
#760147
07/28/10 03:49 PM
07/28/10 03:49 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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check the oil for gas,if the mech pump was leaking it could have dumped fuel into the oil pan saw a couple BB bite the dust over a bad fuel pump no elect pumps under the hood,allways at the tank you do have a good idea on the power,vac switch,led light,toggle switch some might say its over kill,but sounds like a good way to run one,just need the pump at the tank,IMHO nice pic of the cars too
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Re: Fuel Pump Fiasco...
[Re: HemiRick]
#760148
07/28/10 04:09 PM
07/28/10 04:09 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,181 Lost in the ozone again
stubbs300
Vacation
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Vacation
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,181
Lost in the ozone again
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Quote:
electric pumps are designed top pump fuel, not suck it, and they should be close to the tank....but I think you just got a bum pump.
Seems kinda oxymoronic to me. A pump has to suck before it can push.
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Re: Fuel Pump Fiasco...
[Re: stubbs300 ]
#760152
07/28/10 08:44 PM
07/28/10 08:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,098 A Banana Republic near you.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,098
A Banana Republic near you.
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Quote:
Quote:
electric pumps are designed top pump fuel, not suck it, and they should be close to the tank....but I think you just got a bum pump.
Seems kinda oxymoronic to me. A pump has to suck before it can push.
well if you want to get technical , yes it does , but it needs to be as close to the fuel source as possible , not 14 ft away.
Oxymoronic is ironic
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