Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue

Posted By: jsully

Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/04/12 05:31 PM

After an hour of cruising yesterday, the car (70 Challenger)died and once stopped I realized the electric fuel pump was not running (no noise). 5 - 10 minutes sitting there (looking at fuses) I remembered I had wired in a relay. I swapped the headlight relay with the fuel pump relay and pump started when key turned on (bad relay I figured). I replaced 'bad' relay back into fuel pump, and pump ran (but sounded like it was struggling- hi / low pitch noises).
Since rebuild of car last year, engine has ~500 miles and pump has ~300 miles on it.
The Holley red pump was hot and now worry the pump was kicked out and the relay was ok??
One of my questions--should the gas cap be vented to prevent a vacuum?
AND, has anyone had issues with their electric fuel pump similar to this?
Thanks

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/04/12 05:39 PM

Quote:

The Holley red pump was hot and now worry the pump was kicked out and the relay was ok??
One of my questions--should the gas cap be vented to prevent a vacuum?

I also think the pump is going out & the relay was OK. Yes you need a vent of some sort at the tank but it ran OK for 300 miles so I think the issue is strickly the pump

. I'd open it up & see what you see or just replace it & a high flow 100 micron filter ahead of it is a good idea

Posted By: jsully

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/04/12 07:52 PM

I am headed to O'Riellys to get another pump (for back-up) and a vented fuel cap (they only carry the lockin cap).
If it happens again today, I will be ready to test voltage to pump and record temp of pump...

Posted By: 70Cuda383

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/05/12 07:21 PM

fuel filter...where is it?

I had one "pre-pump" I went through 2 edelbrock fuel pumps and 1 holley fuel pump. on the 2nd holley fuel pump, I removed the filter pre-pump and added one post pump.

Never had a problem again.

And yes, the tank needs to be vented. fuel out, air in...otherwise, you create a vacuum, and the pump has to work harder and harder -- like trying to suck beer out of a glass bottle. eventually your tongue gets sucked back into the bottle, or you have to let air in, and the beer gets all foamy. but if you let it pour out slowly so air can get in, then it pours smoothly!!

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/05/12 07:33 PM

Your inlet hose/line must be larger and like what they said, no filter in front of the pump,. Strainer OK but not a filter.

If it was hot out you would be having even more problems, good luck.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/05/12 07:57 PM

Quote:

I am headed to O'Riellys to get another pump (for back-up) and a vented fuel cap (they only carry the lockin cap).
If it happens again today, I will be ready to test voltage to pump and record temp of pump...

A vented fuel cap is a bad idea and will allow gas to leak down your quarter panel. Hopefully the tank is vented like the factory intended, that's all it needs on the street.

You are ruining your pump from cavatation because the inlet plumbing is too small. bet ya.

Posted By: jsully

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/05/12 11:07 PM

I am running a pre-filter (3/8" tubing and 3/8" sending unit from tank and hose. The fuel tank filler is 'plumbed' to factory spec with the 1/4" tube back to fuel tank. It was warm on saturday, but not our usual AZ 'WARM'.
I will remove the pre-filter and I ordered the original (looking)vented fuel cap from Classic Industries ($29.95).
We will see this Saturday if I did any good.
I appreciate the responses- this helps.

Posted By: 383man

Re: Holley Electric 'Red' fuel pump issue - 11/06/12 12:26 AM

I have had good luck with the Holley red pump on my street cars. My sons Dart has had one on it since 1997. We replaced it in 2010 because it seemed to drop fuel pressure one day but that was about 13 years on that pump. I had a red pump on my 63 and still had it on when I ran 10.70's with it but I have since went to a larger Firecore pump with ext reg. The one on my 63 had been on it since 2006 with never any trouble. They seem to supply enough fuel for mild 11 second cars with just one carb. In fact my son still has 5/16 fuel line on his Dart with just the red pump and it is still pulling fine in the traps at 117. Good luck with it. Ron