Can I pull fuel through the factory in tank pump, with a mechanical pump on the block? Some say it works, others say no. Whats the truth? Anybody else doing this. The motor is an old school 4bolt 350, with vortech heads, edelbrock intake, Q-jet carb, and lumpy cam, if it matters. Trying not to spend the money on the bypass regulator, as I have a good mechanical pump I can use. Ive learned a lot from this site, and would be thankful for the help!

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

For the record, they are "Vortec" heads.

"Can" is the operative word. Most likely you "can" pull some fuel through an inoperative in-tank electric pump. However, don't plan on making much power, as the mechanical pump will not be able to keep up with even mildly aggressive acceleration.

Oops on the vortec! Didnt think it would work, but wanted to be sure. Thanks for the quick response! Lots of good info on here!!

You added the "h" in both your userinfo, and in the text, so I thought I'd better intervene. . .

Yes, lots of good info here. I've learned a bunch from the people on this Board. The current configuration of my cars is due in large part to what I've gathered here.

Can I modify my factory fuel pump pick up tube to run straight through, or would I be better off getting one for a factory carbed car? Again, just trying to stay cheap. If there is such a thing!!

look i just did this same thing to my 87 camaro drop your tanks go get a couple inches of gas line from the auto store take your electric pump out and put the hose where the pump in the tanks was so it hooks the the line back together and then put a screen sock on the bottom or the line so you dont suck dirt up from the bottom of the tank.I currently am running my car with the pump still in the tank it seems to be running fine but this is how you should properly deal with the electric fuel pump witch i will be doing this coming weekend.

Got it done this weekend. Removed the factory pump. Installed stainless pipe in its place. Mounted the holley pump to the car, behind the back seat, on the left side, above the axle. Plenty of clearance. Need to make a rubber mount of some kind. Pumps a little noisy. Car runs great now!! Thanks!

Did you put a pick-up sock on the tube? Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but there is a sticky in the top section of this forum that shows how to do the pick-up conversion.

Yep. Found that sticky the other day.