Jimbo64

thinking of installing an electric fuel pump in my 64 so I can throw away my turkey baster and have it start like a normal car----your thoughts or experience on this would be grately appreciated--thanks

Nowhere Man

Seems like a band aid that's not fixing your true problem.

Jimbo64

everyone seems to think its a perk prob- have put spacer under carb= checked carb bowls, etc- if it sits for more then a week it has to be primed- up to a week its fine- float level just kinda goes down until carb is dry

Nowhere Man

A fuel pump does not effect how a engine starts. Sounds like your carb needs a proper overhaul

Frankie the Fink

Yup - if your fuel is evaporated those bowls will have to be filled up be it with a turkey baster, mechanical pump or electric pump. Your approach is akin to the doctor telling you that you have a tumor so you ask him to touch up the X-rays...

SDVette

But the electric fuel pump will start pumping when you turn the key on.... Right?
You won't have to crank the motor to fill the carb...

Also, if it was a perk problem, the amount of "sit" time would not matter.

Or am I missing something?

tbarb

Just keep in mind a mechanical pump is a safety feature given that the pump will stop if the car is involved in a accident and the motor stops. An electric pump in a car that was not designed for it will keep pumping fuel if no one can turn the key off.

Nowhere Man

Your not fixing the real problem. Only covering it up

tbarb

I am not sure you can really fix the problem now a days. One thing that could help with a three piece mechanical pump is a small relief hole (.020) drilled into the inlet side so when the pump diaphragm action stops, pressurized fuel will bypass back to the inlet side and no additional fuel will be pushed into the carburetor by the spring and diaphragm when the float drops from percolation or evaporation. (less gas smell)

Non ethonal fuel may help some but you can't find it. Today's fuel systems do operate under pressure from electric pumps but there is a safety margin built in as the pump stops in a collision.

Nowhere Man

Must be a regional thing I have none of these problems. If my car has been sitting a week I simply pump the gas three times and it will start right up.

karkrafter

Replace the needle and seat and replace the fuel pump. If you have to Prime it two things have happened...


Carb leaked down....needle and seat


[A carb full of gasoline is NOT evaporating in two weeks or none of our cars would start]


And the mechanical fuel pump is so weak it won't re-fill it on it's own. Electric pumps suck for standard daily use.

Frankie the Fink

Never, ever had the issue. Not with AFBs, WCFBs, Holley 4150s, Quick Fuel or Rochester carbs...or even Ford Autolite 4100s..

tbarb

I understand what you are saying, my cars many times sit for longer than two weeks and I always put some fuel in through the vent tube. It dosen't matter if it's the AFB or the Holley, the fuel will evaporate.

midstyle

Surprised that no one's mentioned the anti-theft angle. When I bought my '65, 28 years ago, it had an electric fuel pump, installed back near where the muffler support bracket would be (I have sidepipes, so lots of room). It was wired to the ignition switch "on" position. There was a hidden toggle switch to kill the current to the pump. So if a thief hot-wired the usual connections he would get as far as the nearest stop sign before the engine would die.

But my concern (as I age) is the safety angle previously mentioned. So I have a new repo mechanical replacement ready to install.

cardo0

Something to consider using elec pmp is then u need a regulator also. And the regulator doesn't work well at dead head - when the inlet needle tries to seat - and begs for a small recirc line to control press well.

Myself I gave up on elec pumps when I installed a elec press gauge and can see how well a mech pmp can self regulate.

Other side of coin is allowing fuel to dry inside the fuel bowls will allow residue tars to collect in tiny passages. But I guess that can happen regardless of pump installed. How u manage this is really up to u.

Hope this helps.

BADBIRDCAGE

Not if it is properly installed.

tbarb

I don't dis-agree with your statement except how many people will think about that and install the electric pump properly.

Dr L-88

I am considering installing a small Mr. Gasket electric pump just to fill the carb for easier starting since my car sits for extended periods. The stock mechanical pump will be retained. My plans are to have the electric pump controlled by a toggle switch and it would be turned off once the carb is filled.

So............................what is :the proper way: to install and electric fuel pump?

Thanks,
Rex

karkrafter

Generally that won't work and I'll tell you why.


When you turn 'off' the electric fuel pump and just run off the mechanical, the electric pump will actually act as a restriction. I put an electric pump in series with the factory mechanical on one of my GTO's for drag racing purposes and if I turn it 'off' at some point when demand is high the car will shut off.


Any electric pump alone should be wired thru a oil pressure switch for safety, which means it won't pump unless car is running.


If you need hi volume just get a good Carter mechanical pump. I have one on my L-88 Chevelle and run high 11:s

Dr L-88

Thanks for the prompt reply. That makes perfect sense. Like I said, I'm just looking for a "supplemental boost" to get the carb filled so the engine will fire on the first crank.

Thanks,

Rex