Inline electric fuel pump suggestions
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2024
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From: Oklahoma
Inline electric fuel pump suggestions
Not wanting to put fuel into the carb/bowls or grind the starter through 4-5 bursts every time the car sits for a few months, I'm gonna try an inline electric pump in tandem with the mechanical pump. Back in late 60's, while going to school, I had a 61/62 corvette (Frankenvette) and the mechanical pump went south. So, installing an inline electric pump was simpler and cheaper than changing out the mechanical pump and that solved the problem. Years later I used a Bendix pump off a small Cessna or Piper aircraft, but checking today, these pumps sell for 3-4 times the cost of other pumps available today.
So, I was wondering if anyone has had good or bad luck with specific brand. It seems even the Carter pumps are now made in China.
So, I was wondering if anyone has had good or bad luck with specific brand. It seems even the Carter pumps are now made in China.
Le Mans Master
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From: Folsom CA
For your purpose you would need a flow through pump. One that allows full flow of fuel when it is not in use. A switch would need to be wired in to activate it as needed. Most of that type pump design is noisy. They are usually solenoid type pumps and you hear the rumble when they run. The better pumps use a vane or geroter gear set up to pump fuel and don’t pass fuel as well. The better pumps are also sensitive to clean fuel and need a fine filter of maybe 15 micron to avoid pump damage so they would not last long in your Corvette. Any eledtric pump works best if very close to the fuel tank since they push fuel well but do not pull fuel well. Sorry I can’t remember the brand names but Walbro was one supplier.
Safety Car
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I had a Carter P4594 rotary vane type 12v fuel pump on my '59 until I switched to EFI. Output was about 7 PSI if I remember correctly. About $100 from Summit.
Le Mans Master
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Not wanting to put fuel into the carb/bowls or grind the starter through 4-5 bursts every time the car sits for a few months, I'm gonna try an inline electric pump in tandem with the mechanical pump. Back in late 60's, while going to school, I had a 61/62 corvette (Frankenvette) and the mechanical pump went south. So, installing an inline electric pump was simpler and cheaper than changing out the mechanical pump and that solved the problem. Years later I used a Bendix pump off a small Cessna or Piper aircraft, but checking today, these pumps sell for 3-4 times the cost of other pumps available today.
So, I was wondering if anyone has had good or bad luck with specific brand. It seems even the Carter pumps are now made in China.
So, I was wondering if anyone has had good or bad luck with specific brand. It seems even the Carter pumps are now made in China.
It was there when I bought the car. I do what nowhere man says with my other 8. Go to Sally Beauty Supply & get a squeeze bottle for hair chemicals. They sell a nice one with an adjustable straw. I use canned two-cycle fuel from the auto parts store. Fill the bowls through the vents.
It's a little more bother but it has you under the hood where you can spot leaks, check the oil and so on, things you might otherwise skip.
Dan
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From: Oklahoma
Thank you DP, you've given me a lot to think about. Facet seems to be a major supplier of inline fuel pumps today and are sold by quality vendors. They also
offer a cylindrical fuel pump like what I had back in the day and to my surprise Facet bought the rights from "Bendix" to manufacture this pump.
My goal for installing an inline pump, instead of priming the bowls, was to eliminate the smell and danger of storing gasoline in the garage. I got away from gas powered tools decades ago partially for that reason. But, I never heard of Tru Fuel and this can looks like it should eliminate the gas storage smell. I'm not too lazy to prime the bowls and I always check engine fluids before starting, so this might be the way to go.
offer a cylindrical fuel pump like what I had back in the day and to my surprise Facet bought the rights from "Bendix" to manufacture this pump.
My goal for installing an inline pump, instead of priming the bowls, was to eliminate the smell and danger of storing gasoline in the garage. I got away from gas powered tools decades ago partially for that reason. But, I never heard of Tru Fuel and this can looks like it should eliminate the gas storage smell. I'm not too lazy to prime the bowls and I always check engine fluids before starting, so this might be the way to go.
Last edited by Corvette4me!; Jul 1, 2025 at 04:32 PM.
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Dan
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I figger a dry carb means a dry cylinder wall and dry other things that rub. With a strong ignition my primed motors will light off within one or two revolution of the crank, so out of mechanical sympathy I assume it feels better to the engine, sure makes me feel better.
Dan
Dan
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Definitely pay attention as to whether it can handle fuel flow when not operating. Mechanical pumps don't do well with any restriction upstream. Just a fuel filter can slow things down.
Or build one in with a bypass around the regular lines...you'd need a ck valve also to work perfectly....but in reality it would still fill the carb when sitting still.
My stuff can sit for weeks and weeks and always seems to crank fine.
JIM
Or build one in with a bypass around the regular lines...you'd need a ck valve also to work perfectly....but in reality it would still fill the carb when sitting still.
My stuff can sit for weeks and weeks and always seems to crank fine.
JIM
Le Mans Master
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Decided to go with TruFuel and this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O4YRA...fed_asin_title
Much less invasive and if it works then the problem is solved. If it doesn't, then go to plan B
Much less invasive and if it works then the problem is solved. If it doesn't, then go to plan B
Dan
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The AFB's have HUGE vents compared to Holley's...IMHO, that's part of the reason the fuel evaporates so fast.
Racer
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This is what you want. It is designed to prime the carb. I have one on my 300 F. Switch it on. Clean the windows. When done turn it off and the car starts as if it were running an hour ago. Mount near fuel tank. Easily pushes fuel through mechanical pump. No muss - no fuss.
It was there when I bought the car. I do what nowhere man says with my other 8. Go to Sally Beauty Supply & get a squeeze bottle for hair chemicals. They sell a nice one with an adjustable straw. I use canned two-cycle fuel from the auto parts store. Fill the bowls through the vents.
It's a little more bother but it has you under the hood where you can spot leaks, check the oil and so on, things you might otherwise skip.
Dan
It was there when I bought the car. I do what nowhere man says with my other 8. Go to Sally Beauty Supply & get a squeeze bottle for hair chemicals. They sell a nice one with an adjustable straw. I use canned two-cycle fuel from the auto parts store. Fill the bowls through the vents.
It's a little more bother but it has you under the hood where you can spot leaks, check the oil and so on, things you might otherwise skip.
Dan
How much fuel should I put in the bowls?
I have a carter AFB and I think I read a article from a NCRS publication where he put 2oz in each bowl... that seems like a lot
Pro
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I replaced the mechanical pump with a Carter in-line P60504. I installed the pump on the passenger side wheel well. I can replace the pump in ten minutes without having to remove the tire. The pump was installed 2018 when I restored the vette, still going strong. By the way eliminating the mechanical pump and placing the in-line pump outside of the engine compartment was one of the factors that completely eliminated percolation in my fulie.
Le Mans Master
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Dan
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An aux pump or priming, whichever you prefer. The advantage of priming is that it puts your eyeballs on your motor.
