Fuel tank or external pump-TPI
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: dripping springs tx
Fuel tank or external pump-TPI
I thought I would share my experence switching from carb. to TPI.
First and for most do not use an external fuel pump.After spending $150.00 on the pump rerunning new gas lines, installing a return line into the top of the original tank, on and on I still had a problem getting gas to the fuel regulator. The pickup tube as you know has a bend in it.
The external pump is a pusher not a puller. There for gravity is needed for the pusher pump. A TPI at idle runs around 38 lbs. of pressure. If you can not get the fuel amount out of the tank on it's own the pump is worthless. After taking it out Saturday to a show with a full tank it ran great. As soon as it got close to a half a tank my pressure went from 38 lbs. to 29. I drilled holes in the pickup tube 1 1/2 inches above the outlet. The pressure went back to 38 telling me that bend is to steep for the gas to flow when the gas gets low.
If anyone plans on doing the conversion look at Ricks Hot Rod Shop on the web. I just ordered one from him. SS tank made for the car with baffle, fuel pump, fuel gauge. On the corvette Fever MAG. Keisler had a 65 and they used Ricks tank.
On a good note what a difference the TPI backed with a 700R4 did.
Originally Carb. 350 with a 350 Auto. trans. With side pipes I can now hear the radio.
First and for most do not use an external fuel pump.After spending $150.00 on the pump rerunning new gas lines, installing a return line into the top of the original tank, on and on I still had a problem getting gas to the fuel regulator. The pickup tube as you know has a bend in it.
The external pump is a pusher not a puller. There for gravity is needed for the pusher pump. A TPI at idle runs around 38 lbs. of pressure. If you can not get the fuel amount out of the tank on it's own the pump is worthless. After taking it out Saturday to a show with a full tank it ran great. As soon as it got close to a half a tank my pressure went from 38 lbs. to 29. I drilled holes in the pickup tube 1 1/2 inches above the outlet. The pressure went back to 38 telling me that bend is to steep for the gas to flow when the gas gets low.
If anyone plans on doing the conversion look at Ricks Hot Rod Shop on the web. I just ordered one from him. SS tank made for the car with baffle, fuel pump, fuel gauge. On the corvette Fever MAG. Keisler had a 65 and they used Ricks tank.
On a good note what a difference the TPI backed with a 700R4 did.
Originally Carb. 350 with a 350 Auto. trans. With side pipes I can now hear the radio.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
I have used both and have had no fuel starvation issue at all,now i converted a 89 truck sending unit and installed it into the top of my tank,and modified it to sit at the lowest spot of the tank.And i agree the tpi loves the 700r4 .
