Internal Fuel Pump In Stock Tank?

[Stepsides 4Ever]

I've got a totaled 1991 Camaro Z28 5.7L TPI that I am pulling the engine/tranny out of for installation into our '70 C10 Stepside. I'd like to keep the spare tire in the stock location behind the rear axle, if at all possible. Has anybody successfully mounted a high pressure internal fuel pump into the stock tank?

[bagged74]

I have used a frame rail mounted pump with the stock tank for a tpi conversion. it worked well.

[neonlarry]

This is another option:
http://www.racepumps.com/Fuel%20Pumps.html

[Boog]

I like the idea of using the original equipment pump and harness for that engine but take a look at this thread by Sicmaro posted some time back. He's running a late model Vortec engine, trans and used an inline frame mounted pump on his and it's working great. I offer this info as an alternative to having your stock tank modified.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...38#post2766738

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by neonlarry

This is another option:
http://www.racepumps.com/Fuel%20Pumps.html

thats pretty slick I havent seen that before. Pricey, but very cool

[vtblazer]

Check out these guys, maybe something there...

http://www.tanksinc.com/

[boostat4500]

I'm running a 255LPH pump in my stock tank. I used a stock sending unit assembly from a 4th gen f-body and attached a bracket to it to hold the pump at the correct depth. Then just installed 2 bulkhead fittings on the side of the tank for the feed and return lines. I mounted the regulator to the frame, next to the tank. Piece of cake, and I don't have to listen to an external pump run.

[Stepsides 4Ever]

boostat4500, do you have any pics? That sounds like what I would like to do.

I bought the swapping guide from Jags That Run and they have a picture of a "TPI Module", made by a company that is no longer in business. The pump is mounted in a shallow pan, so that fuel can't slosh away from the fuel pump during cornering. I drive pretty slow anyway, but is fuel sloshing away from the pump a problem?

[LockDoc]

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Another option is an external pump from a 1981 Datsun/Nissan 280zx. (Advance Auto Parts #E8312) $107.98 the last time I looked.

LockDoc

[boostat4500]

I'll take some pics tomorrow. I have the pump sitting just off the bottom of the tank, but my fuel level float I set about 2" higher when empty. This leaves me about 3-4 gallons once I show empty, so that's when I fill up. I've never had any starvation issues that I can remember, but a 7 1/2 foot tall Suburban isn't something you go flying around corners in either.

[Lugnut64052]

Originally Posted by boostat4500

I'm running a 255LPH pump in my stock tank. . . .

I've been trying to noodle up a way to do the same thing. Would love to see some pictures of your installation.

A couple of specific questions:
(1) Did you use some special fuel resistant wire? . . . and if so, where'd you get it?
(2) What kind of bulkhead connection did you use?

[neonlarry]

Did you look at the link vtblazer posted?
Pump is there tray and all.
http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...=cat/cat61.htm

[boostat4500]

Ok, here's what I did. I bought a used sending unit assembly like the one pictured for $50. I removed the fuel level sensor and bucket. I attached the new pump to a 1/4 piece of rod cut to length that I attached to one of the factory bars that held the bucket in place. Just used hose clamps. I drilled 2 holes and ran the power/ground wires ( just standard 14g wire ) straight through the top of the sending unit. It is mounted in the stock fuel level sender hole that I cut bigger to fit. Then ran a piece of rubber line from the pump to a hose barb fitting attached to the bulkhead fitting pictured. The fittings are just standard -6 "bulkhead" fittings I got through Summit. The return is the same thing except there's nothing attached on the inside of the tank. I also put a little silicone around the fittings on the outside just incase any fumes try to slip by. So far, no leaks or smell at all. The pump cost me about $70 (brand new) if I remember right. So the expense isn't too bad if you don't count the FPR, braided line, and AN fittings.
Hope this helps.

[neonlarry]

Here is a link to a tanksinc pump install:
http://www.thedetailzone.com/Tanks%2...%20Install.htm

[Lugnut64052]

neonlarry,
thanks for providing that link. I took a look and it's good food for thought.

I'm working up a throttle bodied engine swap and it seems to me that the simplest way to do it would be to put a pump in the tank, just like the factory did, IF, it can be made simple and bulletproof. I also have the "Jags That Run" swapping guide (mentioned by Stepsides 4Ever) which is an excellent resource. It advocates using Euro car external pumps, as they were fairly common, long-lived production units. The swap guide came out several years ago however, and I think nowadays Euro cars have gone to mostly in-tank pumps like everyone else.

That's all well and good, but I'd like to not add any more complication that I have to. If I'm out in B.F. Egypt and cook a fuel pump, every parts store in North America should have a Chevy throttle body fuel pump sitting on the shelf. Not too many will have Euro car pumps or aftermarket external pumps. Plus, a regular old Chevy pump is pretty cheap too.

Well, I'm thinking out loud now. A common throttle body pump looks like it'll go through the hole in a behind-the-seat tank (I haven't actually tried it yet), but it's a long way down to the bottom. Then there's the issue of installing extra wires in an already-small sender unit.

boostat 4500,
Thanks for going to the trouble of crawling under your rig and taking the pictures. More stuff to think about.

[Hart_Rod]

An external mounted fuel pump will be your cheapest and easiest way to take care of your problem. I had a TBI in my 34 Ford and used and external pump I bought from Autozone. I never had any problems with it. You can reduce/minimize the noise if you build a build a bracket with rubber mounts. The TBI only requires about 12 PSI so the noise level is less than the later model fuel injection pumps that have to put out about 45-60 psi. Good luck with the swap, the TBI should give you some decent gas mileage.

[Stepsides 4Ever]

boostat 4500,
Thanks for going to the trouble of crawling under your rig and taking the pictures. More stuff to think about.

Yes, by all means, and thanks to everybody else that took the time to respond to this thread! Lots of good stuff here!

[LockDoc]

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For the newer members that aren't aware, you can leave the poster that helped you a "rep point" (attaboy) by opening one of their posts and clicking on the small icon just to the right of the "online-offline" icon. This brings up a small box where you can leave a positive or negative, and a comment so they know what the rep point is for.

LockDoc

[boostat4500]

No problem guys. Another thought for ya. An in-line pump is definetley the easier route. I would still not reccomend it though. The noise gets annoying, even when properly insulated and mounted. My buddy has one on his 71' FJ cruiser with a 5.3L in it and it sucks listening to it. I also had one added to my 01' Trans AM. Ended up ditching it and going to twin 255lph pump in the tank on that car. The extra time and effort for an in-tank setup is worth it. Just my .02