VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Is installing an electric fuel pump a good idea?

I wrote that my 34 Master was hard to start after it has been standing for a few days in another thread, and got good answers and an explenation why this is a normal "issue" (evaporation of fuel).

In Jon/carbking's link there was mentioned that installing an electric fuel pump would solve the problem.

Have any of you done this with success?
What kind of pump/pressure would work?

Thanks for any thoughts and inputs!

stewart warner made a 6 volt electric pump that was adjustable on the top to regulate pressure. Generally you find it on ebay or whatever THE FILLING STATION has to offer.

BUT !!!!!!!!! talk to carb king guy about the max pressure setting can be used. I run my 4 barrel holley at 5 psi max and closer to 4 1/2, using a gauge in the line before the carb. Don't want to bend the floats with too much pressure !!!

mike

While I have not done the electric pump (replacement or assist) on a chev I have on some later models when a correct 1 could not be located in a hurry, seems to work fine. Others have posted that the modification works either as a complete replacement or as a assist pump.
The pumps I have used are a low pressure (3 or 4psi) type and 1 keeps my 253ci truck running so should be fine for a 6 cylinder Chev.
Tony

This link may give more understanding of using an electric pump:

http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Electric_fuel_pumps_and_old_cars.htm

Jon.

Thanks for your inputs!

And thanks for your information again Jon / carbking, you really have a lot of good information on your page!
You write that an electric fuel pump can be problematic (at idle or WOT - use of regulator?) if you don't install the "correct" pump.
Which pump do you recommend?

Do any of you have experience with the pump fillingstation sell?
www.parts123.
com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000014a~Z5Z5Z5AAFVH~P69.50~~~~S4VC0A63U510918921050h~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000014x#

They write:

These pumps were made specifically to accommodate vintage vehicles, which require lower fuel pressure. This pump has an operating pressure range of 1-4 pounds and is self-regulating. No need for separate fuel regulator.


What does it mean that the pump is self-regulating..?

well the pump at 1-4 lbs pressure is just right. Will not bend the floats.

Self regulating is self explanatory. It will run to 4 lbs on WOT = wide open throttle and turn the pressure down automatically when pressure beyond 1 is not needed , like idle.

That's what it sounds like to me. Send them an email and ask them the questions you need answered if what responders here are not satisfying your questions.


mike

I am not familiar with the referenced pump.

Mike's comment is a good one. Contact the vendor to ask the questions.

Jon.

Do these make the constant,while engine is running, clicking/hum sound like some of the others?

the stewart warner 240A 12 volt fuel pump . Turn ignition key to on, fuel pump pumps like crazy until 4 1/2--5 lbs is reached, then goes to single click click click . Pump accelerator once and if timing is set correctly will fire on first key turn.

I have been running the same pump on the car ( coupe ) since 1972 . This is on my street rod 350 chevy equipped car.

Note if buying one of these used........THEY ARE NOT RE-BUILDABLE . Parts for them are listed in ebay USA ....search under " stewart Warner 240A " for 12 volt. Not sure what number is for 6 volt.

MIKE.............

I sent an email to fuelflow for more information about the 6 volt 060-pump. This is their answer (I hope it is OK to post this):

It is a very quiet pump. The pump can be clearly heard when the engine is not running but when the car is started the pump noise should not be audible over the engine noise of the car.
Over the past few years we have reduced the operating pressure of the 6v pump because it is commonly used in older applications where the carburettors are very weak. In a current version 060 pump the maximum psi is around the 2-3 psi range. Maximum pressure is reached when there is power to the pump and the fuel lines are primed but the engine is not started. Once the engine starts and fuel is required the pressure in the fuel lines drops and increases depending on fuel demand. The higher the demand for fuel the lower the pressure in the fuel lines.