Can I put a mechanical fuel pump on a 5.7 vortec

[bobdavis2010]

Is it possible to put a mechanical fuel pump on my motor from a 1996 Chevy truck 5.7 vortec I'm going to change it to carberated ?
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[Johns58stepside]

I don't think so most of the newer blocks where not cast with the fuel pump rod or mounting holes

[OutlawDrifter]

no, but you can run a return style regulator and use the factory pump, or you can use an aftermarket pump designed for carbs.

or go really expensive and get a belt drive setup.

[Tom]

Yes. Drill the pushrod hole and change the cam. The pad is already cast.

[bobdavis2010]

Tom, change the cam ?
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[69chevytrucker]

be way easier to just put a electric fuel pump with a regulator on it and cheaper then drilling and putting a diff cam in

[RUN GMC]

Originally Posted by 69chevytrucker

be way easier to just put a electric fuel pump with a regulator on it and cheaper then drilling and putting a diff cam in

A lot of people with this model truck have installed inline back up fuel pumps to switch over to in case of primary pump failing......on mine with 278K miles Ive been through 5 fuel pumps since 1998............

[bobdavis2010]

Thanks all, has any body switched over to carb
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[bobdavis2010]

I have the motor and tranny sitting in my truck but the plan was to leave it fuel injected but it's getting costly $$ I don't want to pay 300 for a tank when it has one behind the seat
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[69chevytrucker]

my engine is a first gen 88 truck vortec and i did it using a elc fuel pump with a return fuel regulator

[69chevytrucker]

you have to get the right intake to fit the heads or change the heads

[Tom]

Originally Posted by bobdavis2010

Tom, change the cam ?
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Yes. The stock roller has no profile to operate the pushrod for the mechanical pump.

[speedygonzales]

Let's see if I have this correct.

You're putting a 5.7L Vortec in an old pickup.
You don't have a return line currently, obviously, so that's a huge pita.
Drilling blocks and changing cams doesn't make a lot of sense.
I"m going to refrain from addressing intakes etc since it wasn't in your original question.
You need low fuel pressure for carburetion so a high pressure pump is out or need a return line.
There is a solution without doing all that but there is small catch.

So on to the answer.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-12s/overview/
This is but one of several low pressure electric pumps.

Here is the catch.
When you use an external pump, you are supposed to have a bottom sump on the tank to draw from the bottom not the top.
It's not all that hard to do however, since these pumps are so cheap, you could leave it as a top draw tank line and if it ever draws dry, big deal, they are so cheap just buy another one.
No need for a return line and you have the pressure you need without using a mechanical pump or a regulator and return line.

If there is any question if this works, I did it on a carbureted engine before.

[OutlawDrifter]

I've actually had 2 Mr. Gasket pumps push through on an Edelbrock, so it can be hit and miss without a regulator.

[bobdavis2010]

a lot of info thanks guys
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[bobdavis2010]

Any one interested in trading my motor setup for an older generation 350 carberated with the tranny. My set up is the 5.7 vortec with a hot rods harness?
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[speedygonzales]

Why are you giving up on that one?

[ryanv70c10]

Originally Posted by Tom

Yes. Drill the pushrod hole and change the cam. The pad is already cast.

Not really an easy job nor worth it for a $200 motor wouldn't you say?

[Tom]

I've used vortecs in both my 78 and 79. Carter electric pump with holley dead head regulator. There are sites to show you how to turn it into a return style for like $10. Run a return line, easy as can be. Pull fuel from stock pickup, no need for bottem sump thats just the perfect way to do it. This is a seriously simple conversion, I ran this setup in my 79 with a 200-4R trans for years. Then sold truck and kept engine, put it in my 78 with the M20 for about a year while I built the stroker. You give up way too easy on vortec heads and roller cams and decent compression ratio's.

[MalibuSSwagon]

You could run a bosch 044 external pump and just plumb up a new fuel system with a return, shouldn't run you over 200.

[bobdavis2010]

i was thinking it would be cheaper to run a carb vs fuel injected

[Tom]

Thats exactly what we've been telling you how to do. For the last time, run an electric pump to the carb.