Cascade Crew

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:05 am Post subject: fuel pump question

So I'm switching to a new fuel pump with my 350. My question is do I need to run a fuel pump block off plate? Or can I just bolt the pump up to the engine instead of by the gas tank?

Alphius · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:34 am Post subject:

It depends. Carbureted with a mechanical pump? Or are you running an electric pump?

If you want to be completely mechanical then you use a mechanical pump bolted to the engine. If you're using an electric pump in the tank or somewhere in the line, then you use the block-off plate.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:35 am Post subject:

You run either the electric in-tank pump and regulate it down or you remove it, run a carbed pickup and use a mechanical pump.

*Edit: Ninja'd by Gabe. Razz

blue89 · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:11 pm Post subject:

Just my 0.02 dollars, but I really love having a stock EFI electric pump in the tank and a regulator by the engine. Since it is a return system there is no doubt that:

1. Fuel is flowing
2. Vapor lock can't easily happen
3. The tank is always being circulated

He could also run a returnless electric pump, which I would put by the tank since those little things probably don't suck too well and I could see it taking forever to prime if you fuel line was empty.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:19 pm Post subject:

Returnless electric pumps like to push.

The fuel line going dry is a non-issue because the engine will run off of the fuel in the bowl long enough for the pump to prime the line.

The issue is that they want to be very low relative to the fuel level in the tank, so there is no good place to mount them in a thirdgen.

My two cents: If he wants to go back to EFI at some point he should use a three-line regulator. If he is regressing back to the stone age forever he should get a carb pickup and hardlines.

blue89 · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:24 pm Post subject:

Is there room to mount it by the fuel filter? I have no idea and wouldn't do a carb'ed fuel setup any different than how I did it. Keith Black regulator with return, EFI pump in the tank, and a silly little in line pressure gauge by the carb. Works awesome.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:29 pm Post subject:

You could run it in place of the factory filter if you used one of the straight skinny ones. You couldn't use one of the vertical units in that position.

The other issue with inline pumps is the noise. Rackety little buggers. Rolling Eyes

blue89 · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:42 pm Post subject:

My friend used one of those square looking guys. Sounded like a fish tank air pump cause he mounted it near the firewall.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:00 pm Post subject:

So if I decide to go with a regulator can I continue to use the stock electric pump that's in the tank?

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject:

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:17 pm Post subject:

Yes I'm going with a carb