Okay. Im going to be converting my 305 to carbureted for the time being til I rebuild a 350 and I cant decide on what to do with the fuel system. Ive still got the stock pump in the tank. I hear its advisable to not just add a regulator with the stock pump. Is that true?
If I get a mechanical pump do I need to add a regulator?
Im trying to do this as cheap as possible. I guess Id be looking at mechanical fuel pump then?

 

It's not true. Many, many members have done the regulator w/stock in-tank pump. You do need to use a return-style regulator, such as the Mallory 4309. It's a bit pricey, but if you use the standard $20 regulators, they dead-head the pump and that is not advisable, because the stock in-tank pump needs constant flow to keep it cool or it'll burn out.

If you use a standard mechanical pump you don't need a regulator, but you will need to remove the in-tank pump. I still haven't heard of anyone trying it, but if you use a 3rd gen style mechanical pump along with the in-tank pump, the 3rd gen mechanical pump has a return on it, so you shouldn't need a regulator.

If you don't keep the in-tank operating, it should be removed. There's a sticky in the top section of this forum that shows how to convert your pick-up to a standard style.

 

I was looking at the Edelbrock 1711 pump. Does this have a return on it if I take the in-tank pump out?
Could I just get a pick-up from an earlier 3rd gen at the junkyard and will it work without modifications?

 

i'd just run the stock pump and put on the 4309, no reason to mess with the easiest option. Pulling a tank, pulling a pump, running new pickups, and buying a mechanical pump ALL instead of just putting on the return regulator seems like a lot of work to save maybe $20.

 

So I wont have any problems with running it this way? No spike in fuel pressure or anything?

 

no it works for both the tpi pumps and the tbi pumps. Set it and forget it. Use a quality pressure guage and then leave it be.

 

That 1711 pump costs more than the 4309 reg!

And, no, it doesn't have a return.

You can use a junkyard pickup, if you can find one.

 

But you can get used 1711's for like $20
I think Ill just go the route of a 4309 though. Maybe I can get a good deal on a used one