The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 6 volt ELECTRIC fuel pump - a few questions

Thinking of going to an electric fuel pump, 6Volt on a 50 model Chevy truck. If I do, can anyone suggest a reliable brand that has low pressure model. Also has anyone fed the electric pump output into the old fuel pump suction side and use the electric pump to "prime" the original.

Lots of guys in my Cadillac club use an electric pump back by the tank and keep the working mechanical pump installed. The electric pump is used to prime the vehicle after sitting long periods of time or in an emergency (the crummy Chinese fuel pump problems extend to virtually every make and model).

After priming the carb for starting, the electric pump is turned off and the mechanical pumps have no problem pulling fuel through the electric pump during normal operation.

Personally, I have no electric fuel pumps on any of my vehicles. After Then and Now rebuilt the glass bowl pump on the Chevy, I've put thousands of miles on it without a hitch.

Just a reminder to find an electric pump with 4psi max. GM specs 2-4 psi for the 216 engine. My mechanical pump operates at 2.5 psi.

Is there a problem with the manual fuel pump?

It quit pumping and won't start.

Is it a "new" fuel pump? If so, they're all garbage straight out of the box. If it's an original pump or a replacement pump from 30 + years ago, have it rebuilt.

Then & Now rebuilt mine over 4000 miles ago and it works perfectly and is able to prime the carburetor without much effort.

If you don't have an old made in USA pump, look for one on ebay and rebuild it.

It is bolted together, so I guess it is original or at least rebuildable I assume. It is not crimped.

I would send it off to www.then-now.com to have it rebuilt. You can also call them to help properly identify it and order a kit to do it yourself.

Two brand new pumps from Advance Auto failed on me - one wouldn't pump a drop after it was installed and the other failed after a few hundred miles. The 30 year old Airtex was rebuilt by them and it's been working flawlessly since.

These are the two pumps that don't work. They can also be disassembled and rebuilt. The nice clean one is the one that wouldn't pump from the get go. I'd ask Then and Now if they can rebuild them or if you should find an old one on ebay. Terrel Machine also does big business rebuilding brand new fuel pumps.

The reason I would check with them first is that I suspect that some of the problems with new pumps are that the lever arm doesn't extend far enough. I'm just speculating. It may be that the spring is too weak or the diaphragm isn't tight enough or who knows what? T&N ought to be able to figure it out.

I assume you've verified that you don't have a blockage in the fuel tank or fuel lines and that the source of your trouble is, in fact, the pump.