Electric fuel pumps and lift

Plumbing together the fuel system on one of my cars. I'd like to go external electric with possibility of using E85 in the future. Problem I have is I cannot get the pump mounted lower than half way down the gas tank. Plus, because of the pick up tube location, it has to lift fuel nine inches up the pick-up before gravity can take over and roll it down to the pump. I know from past experience with a similar set up that the traditional Holley vane and rotor pumps don't like this kind of arrangement. Are gerotor style pumps any more tolerant of this or do I need to look at something else?

I've seen some smaller 35-50 gph electric pumps that can provide lift, but their 5/16 orifice size makes me question if they would be able to move enough E85 if I go that route in the future.

I don't know the pump types.
I run 2 of the ones like this.
https://www.corvettemods.com/Bosch-...g1m84DF6Bfw1mx62JX-ICmQ6FEoaAl97EALw_wcB

they are both mounted above the axle in a 65 coronet.
it doesn't seem like it is 9 inches above, but it could be.

one is a direct pull from the tank, the other is in a surge tank mounted in the same area.

The only issue I have is the regulator check valve doesn't work anymore, so I have to wait a few seconds when I turn the key to on before I can turn it to start or it won't have enough fuel pressure.

Product Engineering and FueLab are the only pumps I've ever found that can be mounted above the top of the tank. I have run both, but am currently running a 2 speed Fuelab pump that is mounted outside my tank a the top with no issues at all.

I can tell you I have run the Holley red pump and the black pump mounted in front of my gas tank as they are not lower then my tank and they have worked fine like that for over 20 years. Its not a lot of places to mount the electric pump lower then a stock gas tank when running full exh system as I do on my 63. My pump is even with the top of the tank right in front of my sending unit. And I have never had a problem with the Holley pump mounted there. Ron

That is exactly my layout, right in front of the gas tank, couple inches above the bottom of the tank to clear the exhaust.

In fairness to Holley, the layout had like this in the past used a parts store copy of the Holley unit and not a Holley branded pump. That may have been part of the issue. Back then, it was a $25 pump. Since the alcohol compatible units now are over $200, and the units suggested further above are nearing $500, I'd really hate to repeat the failure.

I've run electric pumps mounted on the R/R frame rail, the rear seat pan above the diff, rear shock crossmember, and rear body crossmember.
Holley blue pumps or the Carters.
All worked fine, and the "worst" location (seat pan) has worked for over 30 years feeding 1/2" line.
Most of those cars also run a mech pump, and feed up to a 540 HP Hemi.
The one on the rear body crossmember feeds a 650 HP drag car (no mech pump) from a tank sump, the others run from the factory pickup.

I ran a holley blue on the frame in front of the right spring hanger for years with zero trouble. It never had issues picking up fuel.

[quote=TC@HP2]That is exactly my layout, right in front of the gas tank, couple inches above the bottom of the tank to clear the exhaust.

In fairness to Holley, the layout had like this in the past used a parts store copy of the Holley unit and not a Holley branded pump. That may have been part of the issue. Back then, it was a $25 pump. Since the alcohol compatible units now are over $200, and the units suggested further above are nearing $500, I'd really hate to repeat the failure.



I had a cheap Holley knock off pump one time that my son got. It looked like the Holley but was some off brand and we had problems with it. It would loose its prime when mounted in front of the tank where my Holley is mounted. I had to blow air into the tank filler neck to get it to prime. We ended up putting a Holley back on it and no problem. I always put a little motor oil in a new Holley pump so it will help it prime when I put a new pump on and it wont start dry. And I have never had a problem with a Holley pump mounted in front of my stock gas tank. It was just the cheaper off brand that gave a problem. And of course if I can I mount the pump lower then the tank but its not many places to do that on a street car with a stock tank and not have the pump to close to the ground. Ron

I have been running one of these for 10+ years , no problem at all, mounted high above the Dana. I dont know about E-85 though.
https://www.weldonracing.com/store/A600-A-p53630158