C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Consensus on fuel pulsator?

Old Oct 25, 2016 | 10:43 PM
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Default Consensus on fuel pulsator?

I am having sender problems and will have to remove it. I remember from the pump install that there is no pulsator installed.

Should I get one? Is it important?

If I remember right, I think it just had a piece of hose clamped there?

Year is 85 if it matters.
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Old Oct 25, 2016 | 10:49 PM
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I say use the hose just be sure it is rated fuel submersible.
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Old Oct 25, 2016 | 10:54 PM
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thx..

What is the purpose of the pulsator? Anyone?
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Old Oct 25, 2016 | 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by confab
thx..

What is the purpose of the pulsator? Anyone?
Just like a hammer valve on your house plumbing noise suppressor.
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Old Oct 25, 2016 | 10:59 PM
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Okay.. So it is like a buffer, to ensure smooth pressure delivery.

Thanks.

That sounds useful. Sounds like it probably should have one.
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Old Oct 25, 2016 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by confab
Okay.. So it is like a buffer, to ensure smooth pressure delivery.

Thanks.

That sounds useful. Sounds like it probably should have one.
Not really.
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Old Oct 25, 2016 | 11:05 PM
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Not really?
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Old Oct 26, 2016 | 12:28 AM
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Really? Why not??
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Old Oct 26, 2016 | 12:35 AM
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Because the pump is a turbine and provides a very smooth delivery. Additionally, the rubber fuel hose in place of the pulsator has damping characteristics on it's own. What ever criteria GM may have been trying to meet, you won't notice the difference one way or the other.
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Old Oct 26, 2016 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by confab
Okay.. So it is like a buffer, to ensure smooth pressure delivery.

Thanks.

That sounds useful. Sounds like it probably should have one.
It is rubber with the metal or plastic parts pushed in. So what do you think can happen when the fit gets loose? I would put in hose that is fuel submersible rated.
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 07:49 AM
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Does the pulsator play any role in maintaining fuel pressure or preventing drain back after the engine stops?
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by confab
Does the pulsator play any role in maintaining fuel pressure or preventing drain back after the engine stops?
Nope
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by confab
Does the pulsator play any role in maintaining fuel pressure or preventing drain back after the engine stops?
Assume that it works 100%, no. If UT leaks, there is your duel pressure drop
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 10:17 AM
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thnx for posting confab and for this ak.

when i turn the car off i get an almost immediate pressure fall off. when i clamp the return line, pressure holds. i will check the pulsator.
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 10:42 AM
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Fuel Pump Pulsator is for noise only. When GM went to the high pressure in-tank fuel pump there was a concern about the noise coming from the back of the cars. The noise was a characteristic of the type of pump used and varied from a slight hum to a loud buzz. GM went thru several different fuel pump and pulsator designs in an effort to reduce the noise and related customer complaints. Most fuel pumps made today don't generate noise like the early pumps so pulsator can be eliminated.
A funny note if you have a 85-87 C4 resto being judged; do you lose points if fuel pump isn't loud enough
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by VikingTrad3r
thnx for posting confab and for this ak.

when i turn the car off i get an almost immediate pressure fall off. when i clamp the return line, pressure holds. i will check the pulsator.
If the pressure holds with the return line off, I'd suspect leaking injectors or bad FPR
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by VikingTrad3r
thnx for posting confab and for this ak.

when i turn the car off i get an almost immediate pressure fall off. when i clamp the return line, pressure holds. i will check the pulsator.
This is a failed regulator, the seat is leaking.
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by VikingTrad3r
when i clamp the return line, pressure holds. i will check the pulsator.
No, that would drain pressure on the feed side.

Originally Posted by aklim
If the pressure holds with the return line off, I'd suspect leaking injectors or bad FPR
Injectors would drain pressure with either or both lines clamped.

Originally Posted by bjankuski
This is a failed regulator, the seat is leaking.
THIS^


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Last edited by Tom400CFI; Oct 27, 2016 at 06:17 PM.
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Old Oct 27, 2016 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Injectors would drain pressure with either or both lines clamped.
My bad. I was thinking of crimping the feed line. Head is kind foggy after they knocked me out for an arthroscopic thingy on the knee. One down, one to go
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Old Oct 30, 2016 | 12:54 PM
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I removed my pulsator from my 86 when I changed my pump.replaced it with fuel hose and it runs fine.. one less part to cause trouble was my thinking
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