Electric Fuel Pump 51 flathead

S

Stevef

Junior Member
Hello out there...have 51 V8 all stock in my 37 PU. Sometimes is just dies...might be vapor lock so I want to install an inline electric fuel pump. I would like one that I can just leave on and still use the mechanical pump. Anybody have suggestion as to brand. Do I need a pressure regulator. I have 12V system...Carter and Airtex seem to be the choices but some of the reviews suggest they fail and are poor quality...thanks in advance for the help
Steve
 
Steve, are you wanting to use the electric pump as the primary (leave it on) and have it pass through the OEM style pump? If so, you don't need the mechanical pump to function as a pump. I have never used an electric pump and a mechanical pump in unison or to have the electrical pump override the mechanical one. I suppose you could modify the mechanical pump to make it a pass through, to give the appearance of originality. If you do install an electric pump in any configuration or combination with the mechanical pump, it's always a good idea to install a fuel pressure regulator and manual cut off switch, for safety.
 
I use only electric pump with regular.
I bought one from NAPA don't remember the name or number.
My 35 frame is same as yours .
I mounted it on frame inside behind the rear wheel.
They want it close to tank I've had very good luck with mine knock on wood lol
 
I put the Carter one in mine. Part numbe is P60504. So far so good, but I don't have many miles or hours on it.

I would suggest installing a fuel pump safety pressure switch. I think this might be what Vic is talking about. This will shut off the electric pump if oil pressure drops below 5psi (I think). The one I installed was Holley 12-810. And you will probably need a pressure regulator as others have suggested. Mine is a Holley also, but I don't know the part number.
 
Hi Heard, I install a toggle switch to manually cut power to the electric pumps as 5 lbs. of oil pressure is just about as good as it gets with all of our Flatheads...:eek:;) LOL
 
Thanks guys...4 replies in one hour! Yes a safety switch makes sense and tied to oil pressure would mean that if engine shuts down so will the pump...I have read something about "clicker" pumps vs. centrifugal the former allowing the mechanical pump to pull through the gas it needs...any thoughts out there? I am not wedded to it being on all the time if there is a better idea out there...
Steve
 
I have a 6v pump on my 48 Lincoln and only use it if I think I might have a vapor lock problem or if the car has been sitting for a month or more and the carb bowl is dry. The stock pump will pull fuel through the electric pump. You must have a safety switch. Even the modern cars have an inertia switch to shut off the pump in case of an accident. You could probably hook up a modern inertia switch or at the very least a toggle switch on the lower edge of the dash.
 
Stevef said:
Thanks guys...4 replies in one hour! Yes a safety switch makes sense and tied to oil pressure would mean that if engine shuts down so will the pump...I have read something about "clicker" pumps vs. centrifugal the former allowing the mechanical pump to pull through the gas it needs...any thoughts out there? I am not wedded to it being on all the time if there is a better idea out there...
Steve
Click to expand...

An oil pressure safety switch will only shut off in a collision if the engine quits running.
For example, if involved in a collision where the throttle is stuck and there is a fracture in the fuel line,
the engine will not shut off. You can only imagine what could happen with raw fuel still pumping.
For that reason I prefer an Impact (inertia ) switch that Ford has used on it's vehicles. On impact it will shut the pump off.
 
51 MERC-CT; That impact switch seems like a better idea. Where did you get yours?
Engine is an 8BA. Thanks, JIM
 
19Fordy said:
51 MERC-CT; That impact switch seems like a better idea. Where did you get yours?
Engine is an 8BA. Thanks, JIM
Click to expand...

Got mine on Ebay.
Summit racing also has them. Make sure you get the pigtail that goes with it.
 
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All newer Fords with FI have an inertia switch. You can find good used ones on ebay pretty cheap. Try to get the wiring pigtail with it.
 
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I installed an Airtex e8902 6v on my 41. The Airtex will free flow fuel thru it when not in use so your mechanical will still work fine. I put a toggle on the dash to turn on and off as needed.
It runs at 2.5 to 4 psi so I did not regulate. The 12v version with the same 2.5 to 4 psi is Airtex e8016S. Got mine from Auto Zone. (not too expensive) Below is a link to a video from Airtex on pumps and safety shut off #0S75. You for sure need some type of emergency shut off if you plan to run with it on all the time. I do agree the inertia shut off is better, however if you are just using as a back up maybe only the simple toogle switch on dash would be ok?

http://youtu.be/tPh2Na3vbGc
 
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