Fuel pump PITA

[Rich69shortfleet]

So, the fuel pump on my sb400 in my 69 C10 started leaking pretty bad. It was probably 25-30 years old so not a huge surprise. It was a pretty run of the mill stock pump when I put it on.

So, since the engine is basically stock I got the stock replacement pump that was readily available at the local parts store. It went on without much trouble.

So, I got it running after the new pump went on and it ran fine for a while and then started flooding out the engine. Come to find out that the run of the mill replacement pumps put out 7.5-9 psi of fuel pressure which is more than a stock Quadrajet really likes. Fuel was leaking out of the carb and into the intake pretty readily.

So, I decided to rebuild the carb since it has been a while. No big deal, used a good gasket kit and installed a new float just to be thorough. Since the only pumps that put out the more reasonable psi amounts (Edelbrock and Carter) cost a ridiculous $150 or more, I decided to put a fuel pressure regulator on the system instead. This would allow me to put on a typically available pump if I had a failure out on the road and with the regulator would be able to keep it going regardless of the pump I ended up with.

So, I got it all buttoned up today and it started right up. Shut it down and checked for leaks. All was good, had the regulator set at 4.5 psi. But, while I was messing around putting the air cleaner back on and rechecking all the connections, the carb started flooding real bad again and it wouldn't start since there was so much liquid fuel in the intake.

So, either the regulator stops regulating when the engine shuts down or it isn't working in the first place. So, I"m probably left with using one of the expensive fuel pumps anyway and I'm sure I can't return the current pump or regulator at this point.

Why can't replacement part manufacturers just make parts that will work with our old stuff without having to jack around to find the right stuff, spend more than is really needed and/or having to install yet more components just to make it would like it should in the first place?

My truck used to be one of the most reliable vehilcles I've owned, but this is ruining its reputation.