So my fuel pump went bad, thought it was just because ... but when I pulled the fuel sending unit assembly yesterday, discovered this




So I decided to start cleaning it, because a brand new one costs 189 dollars.




How did it happen this way ? Left the car at the shop for way too long with very little to no gas in the gas tank. The gas tank it self has the same rust just on the very inside of the pipe, so I'll scrape that off, and flush the tank.

After that I can finally install the Walbro 255 pump.

 

Thats a lot of corrosion. Might be better to spend the money and get a new one. At some point, it could develop pinhole leaks, or even break.

Was there any water in the tank? It looks like it sat for a long time, and had condensation issues.

 

Sat around lol for yeah quite a while, each time I came close to starting the car I got sent on a deployment lol

I think it'll be alright now, still need to flush the gas tank.

But yeah when I pulled it put I went like ooohhh **** lol

 

If it was me, Id replace it with that much corrosion. Especially at the top where the brazing is. If it continues like that, the pump could actually fall off, or leak bad enough to drop the pressure.

 

Actually once cleaned up it doesn't look that bad. Seen much worse on ships, actually in reality never seen corrosion like this, where once cleaned up it's actually thick metal remaining, I'm used to metal being all gone when my guys sand away alot of corrosion.

True I'd love to get a new sending unit AND gas tank, but money's getting short and I need to save money for Trick Flow heads, rering kit, and whatever I need for tuning, like EBL or MAF TBI. Was almost going to get a kit on craigslist but pistons were with valve reliefs so wouldn't gain any compression but maybe even loose some. Yeah will need some guidance regarding what to get for a small engine build up.

Plus later down the road I just want a plastic LS1 tank.

I should probably get a fuel pressure gauge though since it's something I'll need down the road anyway.

 

That is what lovely CA fuel does, do to all the additives.

 

Almost to the point where I'm thinking of getting a fuel cell. But I guess it wouldn't be street legal enough to pass smog test.

 

Ok, decided to get a fuel cell after all. Connector on top of sending unit is broken, which is why I had no power to the new fuel pump, plus gas tank was rinsed but it's not in the best shape after all, plus I have other reasons.

I do need help/advice with an external fuel pump though, can u guys suggest several different ones ? I'll be trying to get the pump itself using my Navy STAR card so if I get several fuel pump suggestions maybe the auto parts store can order one if them.

L03 engine right now, in a few months upgraded TBI engine, but in maybe 1 1/2 to 2 years from now I'll be doing a LSX conversion, and eventually run 600-700 horsepower through bigger engine and forced induction.

So that's the only thing I don't know right now, which external fuel pump to get.

 

Definitely need more coffee today, I can run the intank Walbro 255 externally as an inline pump can I not ?

 

Personally id just fix it. Yeah you can run a fuel cell but its not like its cheap either.

get one from a car being parted out.

 

Well I've made up mind on doing the fuel cell.

 

In that case you can find decent fuel cells for a few hundred bucks. You can mount the pump in it like a regular gas tank as well. The wiring and mounting of the pump is pretty easy. How many gal you going for? And where would you want to mount it?

 

Was thinking aluminum cell with a sump, at least 16 gallons, would prefer go up to 20, I'd prefer to not have it too tall because I'd like to also make the trunk a bit smaller for certain reasons.

Stock location extending in to the trunk area, if I have to have it raised so it extends higher than the hump area above the stock tank I'll do it. Will finish by enclosing it with sheet metal.

Would prefer running external pump.