Fuel Pump?

[Elvis]

I've been enjoying my new Edelbrock heads, cam, etc in my '67 but today I noticed that it was a bit slow to start (302 engine, Edelbrock intake & carb). Also, it really struggled to put away a Camaro that wanted to play. When I got home I noticed that the glass fuel filter was only about 1/3 full. I cleaned out the filter, got the engine started and watched the filter as it ran. Everything was OK for a while and then the fuel level in the filter dropped down to almost nothing - by the way, the gas tank is almost new. The fuel level would go up a bit and then drop down again. I don't think it has ever done that before. Does that sound like a fuel pump issue? I've got the basic Ford fuel pump in it. Maybe with the extra horses it is time to upgrade. I see that Edelbrock has a Performer series pump that is made for their carb for about $100. Would this be a good fix? Thanks, E.

[Gearhead999]

Fuel pump wouldn't hurt.

[Rev]

You also have a 5/16 inch fuel line from the sending unit forward (the sending unit is already 3/8 inch). Not a bad idea to run a 3/8" line from sending unit to the carb.

Those glass cylinder fuel filters are also pretty restrictive. Just take it off and look at the small hole that goes through it. I dumped mine when I ran the new fuel line. Also, a big canister type filter with replaceable element, back near the tank, is not a bad idea.

I prefer an electric pump, but I'd bet that the Edelbrock mechanical pump is plenty adequate. You could put a gauge (vacuum gauge has a low pressure gauge in it also) on the old pump to check for adequate pressure. I'd expect 5-7 psi for a good pump with the engine running.

Rev

[Elvis]

Thanks Rev. Excuse me for another dumb question. I believe that the line from the current fuel pump to the carb is 5/16". Did you mean to indicate that the line from the sending unit in the tank to the fuel pump is 3/8"? I'm not sure what is down there. The instructions with my new Edelbrock fuel pump indicate that the inlet and outlet of the pump are 3/8". Do I need to get 3/8" lines for both tank to pump and pump to carb? If so, where can I get them? I generally use TX Mustang Parts or Mustangs Plus but neither catalog is clear about the fuel line sizes. Thanks again for your help. E.

[Rev]

What I did was run a flexible Airequip 3/8" line from the tank sending unit to my canister filter and then to the electric pump (both located at the rear near the tank). Then from the pump to the carb. With the Edelbrock mechanical pump, you would need a 3/8" line from tank sending unit to pump and then another 3/8" line from the pump to the carb. The original hard lines are all 5/16". The NHRA will allow that type of flexible line if it stays located somewhere between the frame rails and is therefore somewhat protected in case of a crash. It will withstand 250 psi and 350 degrees F. I'm not sure if a pre bent hard line in 3/8" is available or not. You could try Classic Tubes.

I got that Airequip blue flexible line locally from an area high performance parts shop. I know Summit and Jegs has it as well. Cost for me was about $3.75 a foot. I needed about 12 feet or so. Then there were the retainers, clamps and maybe some fittings bringing the total cost to about $90.

I would highly recommend one of those large canister filters with the replaceable element located near the tank. They're not cheap though ($50-75). Mine's a Mallory which is about $80 from Summit. It's about the only good Mallory part that I've ever bought except for maybe the coil.

Rev

[Elvis]

Excellent! I found a 3/8" stainless steel fuel hose in the Edelbrock catalog that I can use from the pump to the carb. We have a small performance shop in town and they can probably get me the Airequip hose and fittings - perhaps also the Mallory filter. You have been a great help. Thanks. E.