Electric Fuel Pump Diagnosis

[byunique]

I have had tons of experience with electric pumps over the years. The reason I replaced my mech. pump w/ electric because I installed a set of triple 40 webers and it was the recommended thing to do at the time. I initially did buy the motorsport elec. aftermarket fuel pump. It lasted a year before it burned out. Considering the price, it did work, but guess what happens when an electric pump burns out? Yeah, you got it right...stranded.

Considering its diaphragm, I thought I would be better of with anything else because the diaphragm material just wears out. I later went to a Mallory unit which was a higher flow unit and non-diaphragm (gear design). It lasted much longer than the previous unit but went out later out. Over the course of a few more years, I had gone through another 2 inexpensive pumps ( those bought at a Kragen ( made for V8's), because I didn't feel like spending the cash for a more expensive Mallory and at the time I was left stranded and that was all I could get my hands on.

Most recently, I went to the junkyard and pulled electric pumps from the early Rx-7 (79-83). They were $15 bucks at pick a a part and they work great and at that price, you can afford to have a spare. Just consider a decent Mallory (Red) over the web is $80 a pop and a big bulky item to mount. The Rx-7 pumps are small and can be mounted inline. I have only been running the Rx-7 pump with my triple Mikuni 44's for 6 months or so, but it has been running great and enough fuel flow to keep the thirsty Mikuni's happy. I also run it with a preset low psi fuel regulator which is what the Mikunis's need.

The morale of the story is if you go to an electric, carry a spare pump with you!!!!. All pumps burnout over time...how long? who knows? Don't get caught with your pants down!!!

[Zlishous]

Thanks Kmack- good info!

[Mike]

Anyone tried the Arizona Zcar fuel pump? It looks like they have an 80psi pump for around $90.

What's the stock fuel pump rated at (psi)?

I don't want to get into a situation where I need to upgrade everything else to support the higher PSI rating.

[2ManyZs]

Good question. I looked in my service manual and it doesn't say what the stock pump is rated at, but the pressure regulator is set for 36.3 psi.

[Eftusk]

I use the junk yard! HA, seriously though. I have a 73, and that was the first year to use the electric. Mine actually has or had both. I had to re - route the fuel lines around the electric. Piece of CR@P those are. Boy what a monkey rig those 73's are. They originally had the larger bastard child carbs with all the trimmings, smog trimmings that is. I have early SU's so I kinda eliminated the electric after it stopped and I saw how expensive they are. Hope you solve your problem Mike. Keep up the great work. Love this stuff!

[Mike]

Glad you like it!