I want to add an electric fuel pump to my stack fuel system. (Manual pump) I have some problems with starvation and vapor lock, I think. I don't want to drop the tank and clean the pick-ups though, cause I'm not sure they need to be cleaned. Anyway I got a puralator 5-7psi electric pump and I'm planning on mounting it back by the rubber lines by the tank. My questions are, 1. do I need to add another filter before the electric pump(tank side)? 2. where can I get an oil pressure safety switch? the guy at Advanced Parts didn't even knw what I was talking about! 3. can I keep my stock pump to act as a regulator, and so I can use the return line to have less stress on the elec. pump? I really don't want to buy an expensive regulator and the kit didn't say I needed one. Any hints/ideas/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

You absolutely should install a filter before the electric pump. Even if it is a cheapy plastic inline one it will protect your pump from damage. As for the swicth I think Holley makes one and you should be able to order it from Jegs. You shouldn't need a regulator if your pump is only putting out 5-7 psi. That is probably what pressure you will want to run at. I have my oump (Holley Blue) set at 7 psi. I'm not sure laeving the mechanical pump is such a good idea. If you are only having issues with fuel delivery you might just want to upgrade to a good mechanical pump. If heat is an issue than maybe electric is the answer.
Good luck. I had a lot of issues finding a good location to mount my pump but the guys here on the site helped out and I think it should be ok this year.

 

Might sound silly, but make sure you don't already have an electric in the tank. The factory didn't start that for all cars until 1987, but you could have a later year '86 model that got it, anyway. And, it was part of a dealer-installed anti-vaporlock kit that would be used if a customer complained about vaporlock.

Anyway, if it's already there and has failed, that could be your problem.

Otherwise, all you'll need for a filter before the electric is the normal pick-up sock. When you drop the tank to replace it (much better idea than trying to clean it), you'll also know if you've got an in-tank electric.

Personally, I don't see a problem using a stock mechanical pump with a return line as the regulator. However, if you don't have a return-line type pump, it won't act as a regulator. A pusher electric back at or in the tank with mechanical on the engine, regulated with return in one fashion or another, is the ideal setup, as far as I'm concerned.

 

Yes, watch out for that extra electric. I found one in my 84's tank recently when the sock completely clogged and the mechanical could not pull enough fuel anymore. Now I am having a little bit of a vaporlock problem when it's real hot outside even with a return style pump. Wouldn't putting heat sheilding over the fuel lines help with this also?

Also, let me clarify something about the return style mechanical pumps. If I used an electric pump back by the tank the pump with return would regulate the fuel preasure to where it needs to be or would I still need a separate regulator?

 

The return is a relief valve that opens at a certain pressure (unlike the "normal" mechanical that just won't pump above a certain pressure). So, having the pusher would not over-pressurize at the carb as long as the mechanical return valve is working properly.

 

Thank You very much for the info Five7Kid. I may be reinstalling my rear external electric pump again shortly.