can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

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can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby clintjohns » Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:00 am

tired of dealing with questions about my electric fuel pump in the gas tank. looks like there is room for a mech. pump. any reason why i can't run an mech fuel pump in a v8 sunbird
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby my79monza » Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:36 am

Why bother, just install a electric pump in the rubber line between tank and the steel lines, use the electric feed thats already there for the tank pump.
Just my thoughts.
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby cjbiagi » Sat Jun 12, 2010 12:09 pm

If it fits I don't see why not. You should probably remove the existing pump in the tank and use a proper pickup. I am still curious why a mechanical pump was not used by the factory on V8's. I thought there was not enough room to install one? Is there enough room to do so with the engine in place?
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby clintjohns » Sat Jun 12, 2010 12:57 pm

Looks like there is enough room to install one to me, I was just curious why they went with an electric one to begin with. And the point of a mech. one is to do away with the electric pump. I could mount an inline electric pump, but i am tired of wondering if it is going to last or not. I got stranded 3 times on the power tour by a high dollar electric pump by Bosch. So i have a bad taste in my mouth
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby mastiff » Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:42 pm

I've done that before. you will have to tweek the fuel lines on pump a little. if not, the movement from the engine can rub holes or even kink them. if I remember right, I hooked the rubber lines on before bolting to block. it just made it easier. can't remember what it rubbed on, I think it was where the idler arm and centerlink connect ( not for sure) I just know I found out it was rubbing the hard way.
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby my79monza » Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:38 pm

you said the magic word BOSH of which I have little faith in.
There are several manufacturers of good electric pumps, Carter, SW, to name a few.
But if you are convinced the electrics are not for you then by all means convert to a mechanical pump.
I believe there is a FAQ on V/8 Monza that shows how much to trim the motor mount bracket to allow the use of a mechanical pump.

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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby Roccosvega » Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:51 pm

I welded a sump in my gastank for fuel line that goes to an Edelbrock #1721 fuel pump on my SBC in the vega.
No fuel pressure regulator required with this pump.I have always had good luck with them on street cars.

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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby clintjohns » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:54 pm

you got a part number for that carter or sw pump
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby my79monza » Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:45 pm

I ran a Carter P61146S lift pump for a 90's Chevrolet diesel for a long time w/no issues.
It will pump gas or diesel, probably not a real high volume pump but reliable and inexpensive.
SW I can't remember the # but I ran one in the early 70's with good success, heck they may not even make that pump anymore.
Neither pump required a FPR.
I would not be afraid of an Edelbrock either.
I am probably prejudiced as I can remember when the first imports from Europe came over here with Bosch electrical systems and they were hell to work on and reliability wasn't great.
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby clintjohns » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:14 pm

assuming the ones you speak off are not an in tank kind. I am not going to do anything for awhile. It's too hot outside :shock:
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby monza75tc » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:31 pm

Come on Clint, it's only 95 out there right now, of course it feels like 103. :)

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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby monzajer » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:22 pm

Clint, before putting my V8 Monza on stands I was using an electric pump w/ no fears. Maybe a different brand may help.
I completely understand your distrust in them, though, and here is the link to the mech pump frame cut-out Merle is talking about: http://v8monza.com/faq-v8cv.htm.

You may know this already, but when using any type pump, mechanical or electrical, it is a wise idea to make sure you don't exceed the max psi input to the carb. For example, you don't want to exceed 9psi into a Q-jet.

Anyway, very sorry to hear of the woes on your Power Tour, and after you were looking forward to it so much, too. :( :bang:

Hope all goes well from here forward. Good luck.

Very nice TC, BTW. :th:

cheers jer :mrgreen:
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby my79monza » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:06 pm

Any electric pump I would use would be mounted as near the tank as possible but not in the tank.
In the old days with mechanical pumps we used to suffer vapor lock usually because the fuel line was too close to an exhaust pipe and boiled the gas in the line.
The poor old mechanical pumps had to pull the gas a long way.
I would just remove the flexible fuel line at the tank, mount the pump to the floor pan and reconnect the flexible line.
I was originally going to install a mechanical pump on my Monza but changed my mind after observing the way the fuel line is already configured.
The steel fuel line ends right at the master cyl.
It is a lot easier to connect there and go directly to the carb than it is to go all the way around the engine compartment, drop down to the pump and back up to the carb.
I'm good at bending steel line but thats too much work for no real gain.
Realizing of course that this is just my opinion, others may differ, but this the way mine will be.
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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby Roccosvega » Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:39 pm

IMO,The stock fuel line is only good for a low HP v8. When you have 300 HP or more you need at
least a 3/8 fuel line or your engine can starve for gas.(Not Good)

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Re: can you run a mech. fuel pump on a v8 sunbird

Postby clintjohns » Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:48 pm

my little motor should be less than 300 hp. Simple stock 350 with 8 to 1 compression and a 460 lift cam or so. Would you need a relay on a new inline pump or just extend the hot wire that is currenltly running the intank pump to the external inline pump
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