Switching to electric fuel pump. Need some direction

Something happened to the mechanical fuel pump on my 221 v8 in my 62 merc meteor.

Ive been getting different suggestions to either go electric or to get a new mechanical pump.

My skill level isnt the greatest right now especially when it comes to electrical so Im kinda on the fence about which I should pick. I know installing the mechanical is not an issue but from what Ive read Id be getting better results if I went with an electric.

If I can get some help and direction on this I would really appreciate it. (like suggestions of good brands to go with and ones that will work for my car and some guidance on the installation process)

thanks.

 

If it was me I would just get a new mechanical pump.
The last one lasted how long? years and years.
nothing to change one. a lot less work than going electric
But it's your car

 

yes....stick with a stock mechanical

i like having a mechanical and an electric pump on a switch

 

What they said !

 

I've got an electric pump on my roadster, the ONLY reason I used an electric pump is that I'm running a later (91) roller cam 350 and there is no lobe on the cam to run a mechanical pump. I'm nervous about the pump going bad and I'll be stuck. At least with the mechanical pump you can carry a spare for pretty cheap. My electric in-tank pump was $210.00 from Yogi's. I'd get a new mechanical pump if it was me.

If you decide to go electric I've got a like new Holley Red pump you can have for $50.00.

 

An electric pump will only open a can of possible problems that a replacement mechanical won't.

 

I thought I wanted an electric pump on my 56 because it sits a lot and I hate pumping and grinding when the carb runs dry. I am now going to put a mechanical one on it because even though I thought I got the quietest pump out there..a Carter, it still is so noisy that its irritating, even with loud mufflers.
I would stick with the mechanical.

 

cool. thanks guys!

 

You have something else going on. Not sure what carb you have (bad PV) or your fuel pump check valves are bad. I can let my truck sit for a month or two and it will crank up quickly. Knock on wood...

 

Traded e-mails with another member recently and he bought his mechanical fuel pump form O'Reilly's and they have a warrantee for a year...if it fails you just take it off and return it for new one. Back when I first got my car I rebuilt one then bought two more then went to a carter elec (preset at 2-4 lbs so no regulator required) and that was 2 ½ years ago without any further issues. Just a thought and good luck...get her back on the road summer is finally here!
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Replace the mechanical and use an electric as back up.

 

depends on the carb he has - Edelbrocks are FAMOUS for seeping dry if they sit even as little as a week or two. This is a fact, you can not only find threads all over the forums about it, but I've even had an Edelbrock tech admit to me that they are aware of it.

 

Get another mechanical. It's easy, quiet, and works great.

I will say that mechanical pump diaphragms REALLY don't like the E10 garbage we're being forced to use these days. But then again, nothing in our fuel system does.

Most of the low pressure electric pumps out there don't like that stuff either. I've got one, but it sits in my emergency bag with alligator clips in the event my mechanical breaks down at an inconvenient time.

Just be prepared to replace the fuel pump about every other year with normal usage. And remember, it's a hobby.

 

I've been told that both a mechanical and electric pump can be used in series. Is this true? Will the electric just feed through the mechanical pump and vice-versa, if one or the other goes out?

 

My understanding. It depends on the pump used. Push/pull type can be in series as it will flow even if it is not on. A rotory will need to be plumbed with a by-pass and a checkvalve, if it is used as a back up pump.

 

Not pretty but it has worked for over 2 1/2 years...bypass with check valve

 

It sets for 6 months at a time, sometimes over a year.

 

Get the orig. my Lincoln went thru 4 electrics Iin less than 45 miles. 3 carter little pumps. now has a carter bigger one. been 200 miles maybe this one will last.Napa did warranty all,of them but I don't like to not drive it. Gonna order a new original. Jack

 

I have had issues with my dual Carter carbed 455 the last two years. After sitting a couple days you have to crank and pump till your leg is numb before it starts. Just installed a Carter electric with mechanical still in place starts way easier. But mechanical can't pull through the electric. So I'll either have to do like Merc cruzer or carry an extra electric pump or a section of fuel hose. I blame the fuel we are being forced to use as the culprit ran it with race fuel it starts fine every time no matter how long it sits! But that's a little expensive at least $8.00 a gallon!

 

Well Don that makes more sense why it would go dry.

 

Just a thought on a mechanic and electric pump in series. When Most flathead mechanic pumps fail its a torn diaphram. If you push fuel through it you will flood your crank case with fuel. Food for thought.

 

What he said ^^^^. And it's not unique to flathead pumps. A lot of mechanical pumps will flood the crankcase if/when the diaphragm starts to leak.

 

I run the electric from Autozone, cost like $45 It just installs in line, super quiet. I have one on my daily driver, 5 years & no issues. A cave man could install it. A hidden switch added to the power wire going from the ignition to the pump is a real cheap theft device.

 

Doesnt take much either. Had a small tear and my pump was leaking out the vent hole under the pump. If you've taking one apart you know. It was a Mild leak and the car ran fine. But if i had a electric pump "backup" also that might have been more catastrophic. Electric to prime okay.