[DeTomaso] Electric Fuel Pump Recomendation

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/02/06 7:22:27 AM, PARimov at charter.net writes:

<< Any recommendations for an electric fuel pump. I was thinking about using 
a Ford racing EFI in tank pump and just extending the wires and fuel lines so 
the pump would sit on the bottom of the tank.   >>

Can't remember, Paul- unless you're running EFI, that pump won't work for 
long with carbs. EFI runs at 46-58 psi and regulating the pressure down to 6 psi 
for a carb causes the pump to cavitate and lose its prime, stalling the engine 
intermittently. It also works the pump harder causing it to overheat which 
then warms up the fuel. There is an in-tank pump for Ford TBI units that runs at 
much lower pressures, and supposedly can be regulated down to 6 psi without 
problems but I haven't tried this. If you do, don't use a cheap pressure 
regulator- the toy chrome $14.95 regulators were designed for a single carb VW and 
will not flow enough fuel to keep a Holley 4bbl full above 2500 rpms, so you 
run lean. It won't keep 4 Webers full, either. I've taken such things off real 
Cobras that had rev problems and magically- the cars picked up 2500 rpms & ran 
cleanly. Jegs & Summit sell decent regulators for $125+
Things that DON'T work:
Holley electric fuel pumps fail if you run out of gas & run them dry for very 
long. The fuel flowing thru the pump acts as a lubricant and a cooling medium 
for the rotor which is a brazed fixture that holds the 4 sliding vanes. 
Running dry, the rotor overheats and falls apart. Its so prevalent that Holley 
sells a repair kit to fix this. I've lost three over the years & 'fixed' mine by 
throwing the last one away & going back to a mechanical pump. 
I've also lost a GM EFI in-tank pump from a lo-mileage '97 Z-28 to the same 
problem, and that cost over $1000 to repair as the fuel tank and the entire 
rear axle ass'y must come out to access the $150 pump. GM neglected to add an 
access panel in the trunk to easily remove a bad pump.... All the above, plus 
watching a Porsche autocrosser with an aftermarket electric pump spin, stall & 
catch fire, be extinguished and RE-LIGHT 3 times- since the electric pump kept 
merrily feeding fuel- soured me on all electric fuel pumps. Good luck- J DeRyke