The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Electric fuel pump?

Will need an electric fuel pump for my 58 GMC 1/2ton truck 270 6cylinder.
Any recommendations?

Thanks,

I would recommend looking into why the mechanical fuel pump isn't sufficient. Why do you "need" an electric fuel pump?
Carl

Here's a reason: I have two GMC Zenith carbs on my 235. Over a period of weeks not running, the gas evaporates or leaks out of the float bowls. Then, to start it I have to pull an air cleaner and prime the carb with a little gas. What a pain! So I bought an inline electric pump at the swap meet and installed it in place of the mechanical pump.

Problem solved. That is until the alcohol in the gas ate up the plastic insides of the pump and I was back where I started.

What size pump would I need?

I dimly recall that cletis has been using a disguised electric fuel pump in his truck (for several years). Maybe he'll offer suggestions/information?

In terms of "size" pumps, you need a gallons per second number.

1958 Chevrolet trucks fuel pump ratings (GMC would be similar, I'd guess):
3.5 - 5.5 psi for 6 cylinder
5.5 - 6.5 psi for 8 cylinder

Install a Carter mechanical fuel pump and your problems will be solved. With a good mechanical pump (translation: NOT AC!) it shouldn't take more than about 5 seconds of cranking to fill a completely empty fuel line.
Jerry

roger 52carl and Hotrod Lincoln, you dont need electric,
mine went(235) out after a few yrs and I replaced it with one from NAPA,seems like mine was about $26
drove that sucker ever day and 1100 mile trips, purred like a kitten

I'm with Jerry and Fred on this, the mechanical pump is all you really need. I have stock replacement type pump on mine, made by Standard-Blue Streak, it has no problems feeding the dual Holleys on my 235.

Thanks 4 the size info...

Tim,

I think you ment to say 1-gal per minute, not per second (that would be a big pump at 60 gpm).

Mike B

Just divide by 60 or multiply by 60, depending on your "reference" units, Mike.

I don't think I gave a specific rate (vol/min etc) - just a pressure in PSI at the carburetor (from the Spec Man - at 1800 RPM, I think)

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/58t110.htm

What would be the rate in GPS (or, in GPM)?

OOPS, my bad Tim, I miss read you post thinking you said he needed a pump rated at 60 gps. Senior moment AGAIN...lol, sorry.

Mike B

That's OK, Mike

What would be the Gallons Per Minute spec for a standard fuel pump?

Thanks.

Regarding electric fuel pumps:

Do all electric fuel pumps need some sort of return (or, some sort of pressure relief/release)?

FWIW: I have no problem about switching to an electric fuel pump (6v or 12 system), but I have never had a need for this. My 261s with dual carbs (or a bigger single carb) have never had a fuel "starvation" problem (at start-up or at full throttle) - with original-style fuel pumps.

And, my trucks have never had a significantly slow cold-starting problem (waiting for gas to reach the carb). As I post every Spring, my Suburban starts every Spring - no problem with fuel getting to the carb/carbs, and no problem with the 6v battery (11 years old) being ready-to-crank after hibernation. I do have to crank a little longer for the first post-hibernation start, and I do have to be careful not to flood the carb/engine.

I check all the tightness of all the fuel-line fittings at the beginning and end of the "driving season", and I use a fuel stabilizer before hibernation. Maybe I am just lucky.

The main reason I went with electric was because of vapor lock problems. Here's the story.