Electric Fuel Pump vs. Standard Manual Pump?

[bud45]

Just curious about anyone's experience with this...I've a 1965 283 V8 in my 1969 GMC 1500...and I think the manual fuel pump is getting weak, maybe letting fuel drain back overnight, making it harder to start in the morning.

Just wondering if I should just go ahead and replace the manual pump, or would it be better to install an electric pump? If the latter, what pressure? This engine's not been hopped up, it's still stock, truck still has the same stock lines, etc. Also, if the latter, what PSI should I look for?

I'm not worried about voltage...I just installed a 96-amp alternator and the battery's only about a year old and I live in the sunny South, so we don't have much cold weather here.

One other thought...being a Ham radio operator, do the electric pumps put out a bunch of "hash" (RFI noise)?

Ideas? Much appreciated!

[cdowns]

it's doubtfull that you'll get 40years of use out of an electric

manual pumps are about the most reliable part on the whole darn truck

[bud45]

Yep, I'll agree, it's hard to beat good ol' American Detroit technology!

But, what if I get a pump made in (shudder!) CHINA?!?

Let's hope I don't...I'll insist on a manual pump MADE IN THE U.S.A.!

Thanks!

[ulakovic22]

If your truck is stock down to the gas tank then I would say you need to stay with a manual pump. Running an electric can be hard since you would need a pump bucket assembly and then you would have to get a regulator and high pressure lines. You won't want to run very high pressure on a carb'd motor, only 15psi or so I would guess. Your electric pump will push about 60 and you need the regulator to bleed off the excess back to the tank.

[steelhorse]

Most electric pumps I have used have had to bee replaced after about 5 yrs.I would stick with the manual.

[Dying2Live]

If you decide to run an electric fuel pump, you need one that only runs 5-6 psi. Anything over that will flood your carb. I'd stick with the manual. I've had too many problems with electric pumps on carbed vehicles. Good Luck Sir.

[Longhorn Man]

on a stock motor, with a stock fuel system, I can think of no reason to buy an electric fuel pump. The only reason they swapped over to them in the 80's was to feed the fuel injection.
I can come up with a few reasons to not do it if you like.

[LONGHAIR]

Agreed, stick with the manual unit.

[silverstreak]

I just switched my 63 Bel Air over to an electric pump just because I don't drive it everyday and hate cranking an engine for so long before the mechanical unit primes the carb. I used a Carter unit that puts out around 5 psi and a regulator. I use a filter in front of the pump and clear filter in front of the regulator which I can't stop from leaking. (always something) I just flip a toggle switch and let the pump run for a few seconds before I start it and it fires right up.

[Longhorn Man]

if your ride sits long enough for all the fuel in the carb to evaporate, then you need to run it more, or drain the fuel out after running it. The dust left in the carb from the fuel is not a good thing to have in there.

[mjensen]

I recently put an electric on my 69 that I had laying around. I did have to add a regulator to it to keep the pressures in check, but it sure did make it start easier. Then, shortly after that it went out so I bought another one. If this one dies again, I will be switching back to the manual or put E.F.I. on it....or just slam a Duramax in it