Mechanical fuel pump for a 540
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Mechanical fuel pump for a 540
I'm getting to the point were I'll need a fuel pump, so it's decision time. Do you guys think I can stick with the stock 3/8 fuel line and a mechanical pump? I've been looking at the Holley stuff, and they have a 110 GPH pump that doesn't require a regulator, and a 130 that does require a regulator. Carter has a 172 GPH. I'm trying to keep the tripower motor as stock looking as possible, so avoiding the regulator would be a good thing if possible. I have 3/8 tubing and AN fittings for all the tripower pump to carb plumbing.
The engine is a 540 with AFR heads, 252/260 @050 duration flat solid cam (110LSA), and 68 tripower intake.
Anyway, the shortblock is finally finished, and it only took me two years! :lol:
I decided to paint everything Chevy orange:
[Modified by Flareside, 8:42 AM 10/18/2003]
The engine is a 540 with AFR heads, 252/260 @050 duration flat solid cam (110LSA), and 68 tripower intake.
Anyway, the shortblock is finally finished, and it only took me two years! :lol:
I decided to paint everything Chevy orange:
[Modified by Flareside, 8:42 AM 10/18/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (Flareside)
Flare, do you have a return line to the fuel tank on that car? I'm no expert on this but I thought the return line was a plus when using an electric pump. If you do have it then the regulator would be a source for the hook-up to go back to the return line. Just a thought.
Good luck!!
Mark :flag :chevy
Good luck!!
Mark :flag :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (Flareside)
That is going to be a real fun motor, even with the tri-power it still should be north of 650 hp.
I think Hotrod was feeding 700 hp with a 3/8 line. I am feeding around 620 with 3/8 but am using a 140 Holley electric pump. I think if you need to stay with the mechanical I would go with the 172 Carter, not a good thing to go lean, gets exspensive
I think Hotrod was feeding 700 hp with a 3/8 line. I am feeding around 620 with 3/8 but am using a 140 Holley electric pump. I think if you need to stay with the mechanical I would go with the 172 Carter, not a good thing to go lean, gets exspensive
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (69 N.O.X. RATT)
That is going to be a real fun motor, even with the tri-power it still should be north of 650 hp.
I think Hotrod was feeding 700 hp with a 3/8 line. I am feeding around 620 with 3/8 but am using a 140 Holley electric pump. I think if you need to stay with the mechanical I would go with the 172 Carter, not a good thing to go lean, gets exspensive
I think Hotrod was feeding 700 hp with a 3/8 line. I am feeding around 620 with 3/8 but am using a 140 Holley electric pump. I think if you need to stay with the mechanical I would go with the 172 Carter, not a good thing to go lean, gets exspensive
I'd really like to avoid the complication of an electric pump if possible, mainly to avoid all the electrical stuff (relay, oil pressure cutoff, etc.). I'm already installing an MSD distributor, digital 6 ignition, remote timing control, and Spal fans. Too many wired gizmos for me already!
I actually have the Carter 172 pump here already, but hooking it up cleanly is a problem. The inlet and outlets are 5/8-18, so no standard AN stuff that I can find fits it. Carter supplies special male 10AN fittings with the pump, but they won't help me much, and 10AN-6AN adapters on each port won't make for a very clean installation. I'm really hoping that the Holley 130 with an external regulator will get the job done.
Mark, I do have a return line, but I've also run this car with a tripower intake and the return capped off. It works fine either way. I plan to cap it and forget it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (Flareside)
I used a basic Holley mechanical with no regulator and 3/8" lines up until just recently. Never had any issues with but but figured I was running on the edge. The 427 ran deep 11's with it. Can't tell you about the 540...axle breakage issues were a little more frequent with it, so I never got a pass in on it. But on the street it made many 130+ mph runs with no problems.
C'mon...you're using A/N fittings anyway...you can slip in a regulator somewhere. It can be hidden back up under the fender somewhere.
If you decide to go electric....I used the big Aeromotive pump with a return line and it's a lot quieter than most of the Holley's.
BTW...that looks awful familiar to mine! You're going to have fun!
JIM
C'mon...you're using A/N fittings anyway...you can slip in a regulator somewhere. It can be hidden back up under the fender somewhere.
If you decide to go electric....I used the big Aeromotive pump with a return line and it's a lot quieter than most of the Holley's.
BTW...that looks awful familiar to mine! You're going to have fun!
JIM
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (427Hotrod)
Thanks Jim. It sounds like I can get by with a regular mechanical setup. I'm going to order the Holley 130 mechanical pump and an Aeromotive external regulator this week. Simple and affordable. I can always upgrade to the electric pump later if the mechanical falls short, and I'll need the regulator with either pump.
-Joe
-Joe
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
NCM Ambassador
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (Flareside)
I have run the 1/2" stainless in the past.........if you can I would do it, it also makes for cooler fuel to the Mech. pump.
The right mechanical pump will be :thumbs:
You may want to consider a NASCAR Phenolic mech. fuel pump to block heat isolator kit. It has spacers that insulate the 2 bolts and FP body from the block. Pack the FP body with grease/zerk fitting to lube the lever....sweet.
You used to be able to buy it from http://66.155.51.113/default.aspx
It works really good on my 68' Camaro SBC.
I you want when I get home tonight and can post specfic info on this set up!
The right mechanical pump will be :thumbs:
You may want to consider a NASCAR Phenolic mech. fuel pump to block heat isolator kit. It has spacers that insulate the 2 bolts and FP body from the block. Pack the FP body with grease/zerk fitting to lube the lever....sweet.
You used to be able to buy it from http://66.155.51.113/default.aspx
It works really good on my 68' Camaro SBC.
I you want when I get home tonight and can post specfic info on this set up!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
Re: Mechanical fuel pump for a 540 (Flareside)
Do you guys think I can stick with the stock 3/8 fuel line and a mechanical pump?
[Modified by Flareside, 8:42 AM 10/18/2003]
[Modified by Flareside, 8:42 AM 10/18/2003]
:D
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