Hi everyone,

I'm going to be installing TPI on my 82 Trans Am and I have an intank fuel pump from an '89 Camaro convertible. Until I get the new engine and TPI ready, can I install the fuel pump into my tank and have the carb pull fuel through the pump (without having it running), and have no problems? Is the entire pump assembly a direct swap? i.e will it screw into the top of my 82 fuel tank no problem?

 

It's hard to say. Some people have had success with the mechanical fuel pump being able to pull fuel through, while other's haven't. To be sure though, attach a long piece of fuel line to the pump, sit it in a bucket of fuel, and try to literally 'suck' the fuel through.

Be careful though, do not get any fuel in you're mouth. Once you start trying to pull it through, immediately remove you're mouth from the rubber fuel line... and if possible, try to let the rubber fuel line's end hang lower than the pump itself (closer to the ground). The vacuum you just created will take over, and if it's successful, you'll see the fuel make it's way through.

Kind of a primative way to check, I know, but it beats installing it in the tank.... then installing the tank itself, only to find out it doesn't pull through. In which you'd have to take the freaking tank out all over again. Unless you cut yourself a trap door, that is.

No, you'll need a TPI styled fuel sending unit.

EDIT: I might have misunderstood you're paraphrasing, if you already have the complete assembly, including the sending unit, then yes, it's a direct swap.

 

I can suck air through the TPI fuel line and pump no problem, and last time I tried sucking on the end of a vacuum gauge I managed 7PSI. With this in mind I'm guessing my existing carb setup will pull fuel through the TPI pump with the pump not operating.

[QUOTE] Unless you cut yourself a trap door, that is. [\QUOTE]

Yes, well, let's not go there.

Excellent, this is what I wanted to know. I do have the complete assembly from the donor car, fuel pump, float, wiring harness and plug, fuel line, breather line, return line etc etc

Thanks!