The guy at my local speed shop said I didn't need to have a return fuel line - he said I could just cap it up. He sold me a Holley AFPR with 1 in and 2 outs - 1 out for a guage and 1 going to the carb. The tech articles say I still need a return line - any one experienced with this?

 

What pump are you using?

If the in-tank electric, you must use a reg that uses a return. The pump cannot be dead-headed because it uses fuel flow to cool itself.

If some sort of aftermarket electric, depends upon the pump.

If mechanical, you don't need a return, but it isn't a bad idea in order to keep the fuel from absorbing heat while it waits to get to the carb.

 

When I need my tpi to carb swap i did I a return line just to be safe on my 1987 GTA. Its not that much harder.

 

You need a 3 port style regulator like a mallory if your gonna run the stock intank pump. If not the pump will overheat and it will quit working much sooner.

You need to buy a 3 port mallory fuel pressure regulator. Trust me.

 

i 2nd that. or you can buy a mecanical pump if you have a lobe on your cam for a fuelpump.

 

Yeah i need one of these good 3 port regulator with a return line...which one is good enough to be run on my carbed 87 iroc...

 

Mallory 3 port is a very good reg. The return style regs aren't cheap either. I think my mallory was 90$

 

this is what I did...mine was a v-6 car so I had to come from the drivers side...I have blue tubing around the lines now , looks alot better. BTW I used a Malory also.

 

I may have a mallory reg for sale soon. I think I am going to put a line in-place of my pump and run an external Holley blue pump. Then I will not need the return line anymore. Once I do that I will probably put my mallory up for sale for about 50$ or so. I will be doing this in a week or two. If your interested in it let me know.

 

I'd still use it. I use a Mallory #4309 regulator and Holley blue pump. Without a return line the pump is ungodly loud. With the return line hooked up the pump is much quieter and I bet will last longer than your typical blue pump.

 

How would having a return line with that pump help at all?

Did you run a carb pickup in your tank or what? I haven't decided if I'm gonna pull it through the stocker, get a carb pickup, or run a metal line/strainer on my stock stuff.

BTW how long have you had the holley blue?

 

Chances are you wont be able to pull through the stock pump once it is disabled.
Using a return with the holley will help it to run cooler and quieter. less back pressure on the pump, then with a 2 port.
My .02

 

I took the intank pump off and replaced it with the same length of rubber hose, clamped it to the hard line, then fished the hose through the "bracket" that holds the fuel pump... That way it doesnt move at all and sits in the back/bottom of the tank just like the stock fuel pump.

Running a return line takes a huge amount of stress off the pump. Think about it... the holley regulator that comes with blue pumps just restricts the line in order to get proper pressure - that makes the pump have to work harder because its constantly trying to overcome that restriction. With a return line and a regulator like the Mallory 4309 the fuel is consantly flowing freely. My blue pump without a return line was HORRIBLY loud - I mean, really bad "horribly" doesn't even describe it. With the regulator hooked up its now a nice buzz sound - you can't hear it at all with the motor running at all.

I've had this pump for over a year but the car doesn't have a lot of street miles to it yet (still working out the bugs and redoing stuff). I dont trust its reliablity though. My friend has replaced his 3 times in the past 2 years - Luckly Holley gives him a new one for free. But then again, I have a few more friends who have been running the same pump for years without a problem. Seems to be a hit-or-miss when it comes to them.

 

I am running a "Blue" pump and I just ordered the return adaptor that GM sells to plumb in a return line with the Holley regulator. I just hope it makes my pump quieter.

BTW, where did everyone mount there "Blue" pump. Mine is on the floor pan behind the rear seats and it was a bitch to get it to clear the rear end. Had to mount it twice. Nothin like swiss cheese floor pans. I would love to run an in tank pump but there are none that seem to fit our needs.