Electric fuel pump troubles

[Hodag]

The PO of my FJ55 got rid of the mechanical fuel pump feeding the 350 and replaced it with an electric pump. At first I hated it because it was held on with zip ties around the frame rail (I fixed that), now I noticed that if I mash it, it starves out for fuel. Im running an 600cfm Performer on a Performer intake. I pulled the line to the carb, turned on the ign. and fuel piss-trickled out. So, I change out the fuel filters, one before the pump, one between the pump and pressure regulator and one between the reg and the carb. Checked the flow again, slightly better. Test drive, still starves out. Crank up the pressure reg, test drive, starves out, but still drivable if I dont mash it. Change out pressure reg for one with no bypass, thinking old one is bypassing too much fuel. Runs, dies, wont start up. No fuel at carb. I thinks air pocket. Run it until it passes fuel, hook it back up. Starts, dies, wont start.

By now Im pissed, damn thing ran before if I stayed out of it. I just couldnt leave it alone.

So, I put the old reg back on, runs OK if I stay out of it. Question-- put on a better electric, or just go back to a mechanical? Will a standard mechanical feed enough fuel for the carb or do I need to go to a high flow mechanical? Also, should I get rid of the 1" alum spacer the PO put on the manifold? Truck is a daily driver. Sorry so long, I had to vent. Hodag

 

[chuglife]

sorry i don't have any advice for you, just remarking that the same mod is done to my F motor. PO put an electric fuel pump in, and it starves when i stomp on it. i don't stomp it very often so i didn't think much of it... but went out yesterday and it started to crap out on me on big hills, when trying to keep up with faster people, so now it's becoming a problem for me. when somebody gives you advice, i'll be listening closely

 

[CruisinGA]

I don't know jack s*** about chebby motors so I can't comment other than if I knew the mechanical flowed enough fuel for your carb, that is what I would run.

Chuglife- you need to go back to the mechanical. Get a new mechanical, drop it in, and you have a reliable, sufficient fuel pump for the next 30 years. Keep the electric in the toolbox for a trail spare.

 

[chuglife]

thanks man! i'll look into it

 

[hammerhead]

Hodag - try eliminating the filter before the pump. Pumps don't suck well so any restriction will affect performance. If that doesn't help test each leg of the system independantly until you nail down the culprit or verify that there is no obstruction.

I also run a SBC 350 but with mechanical pump. I agree with Bailey, go to OEM mechanical.

 

[Yoda]

Why so many filters?

I ran the same setup you have, but with mechanical pump (needed a regulator cause the pump put out 10 PSI, the Edelbrock doesn't like more than 6) Had 1 filter on suction side.

Your problem sounds like no flow. Check bad pump (how much does it flow right out of the pump?), not enough voltage to pump (bad wiring?), plugged filter (had to change mine every tank of gas til I replaced rusty tank), is the tank venting (remove cas cap and see if fuel flows better)

If you replace the electric, don't use the filter on the suction side.

The spacer isn't needed with the edelbock perfomer, your choice.

The pump should put out at least a quart in a minuite.