Holley electric fuel pump question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Holley electric fuel pump question
I need to run a low pressure electric fuel pump on my setup. There seem to be a lot of threads about them being to noisy when used with a carb (dead headed).
Are they still noisy if not dead headed ?
Are they still noisy if not dead headed ?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
On the 1978 to 1982 Corvettes...I use the 1982 Corvette fuel sending unit that has the fuel pump inside the fuel tank...and then plumb in the fuel pressure regulator after that.
But that is just me.
DUB
But that is just me.
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
The electric fuel pump needs to push the fuel from the tank to the motor and wants to be mounted below the outlet of the tank or in the tank. I have an Edlebrock dead-headed 6 psi mounted below the tank and above my Magnaflows. Once the motor starts up I don't hear a thing. I don't know that a return line would make much difference in noise. I had done some experimenting with the return line (which didn't work out) and have to say there was little to no difference in noise. Had a Holley once and it did seem pretty noisy.
If I had it to do all over again I would do what DUB says.
You didn't say which Holley. I expect to convert to the georotor Holley sometime later this year and and again use the 5/16" return in my 69.
If I had it to do all over again I would do what DUB says.
You didn't say which Holley. I expect to convert to the georotor Holley sometime later this year and and again use the 5/16" return in my 69.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I added a higher priced Holley model because I read so much about the less expensive ones making noise. I mounted it with rubber bushings. It's very quiet. If I had to do it all over again I'd do what DUB said. I had to be a hard head and do it my way though 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
The issue with a high pressure tank arises when the tank is almost empty and the fuel sloshes around. Remember the 79 has a bladder so not much can be welded on it. I use a seperate smaller tank up front that is to be fed by a low pressure pump and that feeds the high pressure pump for that reason.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Here's a thought-
The pump in the tank is not only quieter- but runs cooler.
An easy solution that doesn't require any welding- no extra swirl tanks- pumps...and easy to run a return line and vent too.
Just drill a hole in the tank and you are good to go...
Aeromotive phantom fuel system (both high press and low pressure available)
Richard
The pump in the tank is not only quieter- but runs cooler.
An easy solution that doesn't require any welding- no extra swirl tanks- pumps...and easy to run a return line and vent too.
Just drill a hole in the tank and you are good to go...
Aeromotive phantom fuel system (both high press and low pressure available)
Richard
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
I haven't used a electric fuel pump on a carbed street car for a long, long time, so am not up on what is best. I have read on some forums like the Yellow Bullet forum that the Holley pumps are not well liked there because of reliability. The Manley pumps seem to be in favor there with some guys saying they have been running the same pump for years. The Manley 140 pump seems to be a pump a lot of the E85 guys like too. Since I'm still considering going to E85, I bought a Manley pump. It will work on both gas and E85. I am going to make a sump on the bottom of a brand new tank and am considering baffles in it too.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
Carter 4070 electric if you are going to mount externally. Had two red holleys and both went bad in short order. Have had 4070's on two vehicles for over 10 years with no problems. The noise lets you know what they are working!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
The issue with a high pressure tank arises when the tank is almost empty and the fuel sloshes around. Remember the 79 has a bladder so not much can be welded on it. I use a seperate smaller tank up front that is to be fed by a low pressure pump and that feeds the high pressure pump for that reason.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
The use of an external pump is entirely your choice.
I prefer to use the 1982 sending unit and pump which is about 14psi...and install a pressure regulator after it. I still use the mechanical pump on the engine after I do a "trick" to it so I can still have the fuel return line in use. If there is no mechanical pump...I fabricate a fitting that allows fuel to return back into the fuel return hose that is there by the mechanical pump area. I also fabricate a reservoir onto the electric pump so it does not ever get starved for fuel like GM did for the 1984-1996 Corvettes. I prefer a fuel pump being in the fuel to keep it cool and no noise detected...mainly because I can not waste time trying to find an external quiet pump that can handle the summer heat....that will not fail. i can not afford to keep doing the same thing time and time again...so I follow GM's philosophy. Fuel pump in the tank.
DUB
I prefer to use the 1982 sending unit and pump which is about 14psi...and install a pressure regulator after it. I still use the mechanical pump on the engine after I do a "trick" to it so I can still have the fuel return line in use. If there is no mechanical pump...I fabricate a fitting that allows fuel to return back into the fuel return hose that is there by the mechanical pump area. I also fabricate a reservoir onto the electric pump so it does not ever get starved for fuel like GM did for the 1984-1996 Corvettes. I prefer a fuel pump being in the fuel to keep it cool and no noise detected...mainly because I can not waste time trying to find an external quiet pump that can handle the summer heat....that will not fail. i can not afford to keep doing the same thing time and time again...so I follow GM's philosophy. Fuel pump in the tank.
DUB
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
I would trust a 4070 Carter pump which has been around since the 60's over the red holley pump. Never hear of a 4070 failure but lots of red holley problems. I have the 4070 on my 455 65 GTO with dual fours and one on my 460 Ranchero and have plenty of fuel pressure in both cars. Both make about the same amount of noise and to me the mounting bracket on the 4070 is better. Amazon usually has the best price on them.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
i had the same thing happened 2 red holleys bought bought IN 6 MONTHS .WHAT SUCKS IS THEY ONLY HAVE 90 DAYS OF WARRANTY .MAYBE I SHOULD BUY A MECHANICAL PUMP FOR 79 VETTE
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
In-tank plus Hydramat
The use of an external pump is entirely your choice.
I prefer to use the 1982 sending unit and pump which is about 14psi...and install a pressure regulator after it. I still use the mechanical pump on the engine after I do a "trick" to it so I can still have the fuel return line in use. If there is no mechanical pump...I fabricate a fitting that allows fuel to return back into the fuel return hose that is there by the mechanical pump area. I also fabricate a reservoir onto the electric pump so it does not ever get starved for fuel like GM did for the 1984-1996 Corvettes. I prefer a fuel pump being in the fuel to keep it cool and no noise detected...mainly because I can not waste time trying to find an external quiet pump that can handle the summer heat....that will not fail. i can not afford to keep doing the same thing time and time again...so I follow GM's philosophy. Fuel pump in the tank.
DUB
I prefer to use the 1982 sending unit and pump which is about 14psi...and install a pressure regulator after it. I still use the mechanical pump on the engine after I do a "trick" to it so I can still have the fuel return line in use. If there is no mechanical pump...I fabricate a fitting that allows fuel to return back into the fuel return hose that is there by the mechanical pump area. I also fabricate a reservoir onto the electric pump so it does not ever get starved for fuel like GM did for the 1984-1996 Corvettes. I prefer a fuel pump being in the fuel to keep it cool and no noise detected...mainly because I can not waste time trying to find an external quiet pump that can handle the summer heat....that will not fail. i can not afford to keep doing the same thing time and time again...so I follow GM's philosophy. Fuel pump in the tank.
DUB
I agree with DUB: An '82 sending unit and pump is the way to go. I installed the '82 sending unit with a high-volume and-pressure Walbro pump for my FAST EZ EFI system. (I still have the new/unused '82 pump.)
If you're concerned about fuel sloshing around and starving the pump, you can use a Holley Hydramat pickup on the end of the pump. Hydramat comes in different sizes & shapes. I think there were Hydramat demos on YouTube too. Search Summit, Jegs, or your favorite online parts store for options and prices.
Last edited by MN80Vette; Nov 2, 2016 at 10:08 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
If you can't use the mechanical pump to feed a surge tank then use the 82 TBI sending unit setup and a low pressure pump.
If you don't run a regulator on the low pressure system then put a restriction in the return line to restrict the return fuel. It doesn't matter if you pressurize the surge tank to 5 or 10 lbs of pressure. Actually, it makes the job of the high pressure pump that much easier.
If you don't run a regulator on the low pressure system then put a restriction in the return line to restrict the return fuel. It doesn't matter if you pressurize the surge tank to 5 or 10 lbs of pressure. Actually, it makes the job of the high pressure pump that much easier.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I would trust a 4070 Carter pump which has been around since the 60's over the red holley pump
shopping price usually doesnt end up well but hard to go wrong with Carters. Using an (unfortunately discontinued) Carter 172 with no regulator....if I did go electric it would be a carter