I just had my second fuel pump go out so I must be doing something wrong.

First, I tried a Holley Blue that was very loud and it worked for awhile and then bit the dust - I had this wired direct to the fuse panel with 14 gauge wire per the tech at Ron Francis and the pump died (I called Holley and they recommened using at least 10 gauge and the guy felt the pump was probably fried).

I then got theEdelbrock quiet flo pump 1791 and their relay 1795. I wired the red/hot from the relay to a junction box that is wired to the hot side of the solenoid and took the other side to the fuel pump. The ground for both the relay and the pump went to the engine/starter bolt where the negative terminal for the battery and the chassis ground are located. I wired the ignition switch to the Ron Francis fuse panel. The Edelbrock seemed to be working great and now it has died (after being used a few times over a couple of weeks). I have 12v at the pump and everything seems fine - had 6 psi at the carb and looked happy. But I got in the car today and it wouldn't idle - looked at the fuel gauge and had 0 psi and no fuel pump noise (I used the voltmeter and had 12 volts though). Anyone have any ideas?

 

Low voltage or a weak ground will cause things to burn up quickly. This can be due to too small a wire size or a bad ground. The volt meter should read about 13.5v if the engine is running, and the alternator is in good condition. If you have the stock alternator and a new stereo or other electronic gadget (ie amp, aux lighting)that is eating the amps, then that may bethe problem. I would think going thru so many fuel pumps in such ashort a timethat a low voltage issue exist.

 

thanks 67.

I thought about the wire size too and that was why I used the Edelbrock relay. The Edelbrock instructions specifically call for 12 gauge wire which is what the relay had(since I used the relay which already had the wire I would think I should be fine, and yep I even paid the extra $25 fpr te Edelbrock one). I then bought a 100 ft strand to get a 12 gauge ground wire that I could route from the back of the car through the side panel, under the door and through to the ground at the engine/starter- so I should be direct ground to the battery here. I would say that I was only able to trim about 1 foot of wire from the relay with the relay installed behind the glove box. Would I be correct in assuming that having voltage at the fuel pump means the relay is good?

My serpentine kit came with a 160 amp "1 wire"alternator (I think it is GM style so that may be the problem )

This is frustrating[:@]

 

Sounds like you have the fuel pump up front. It needs to be in the back of the car. Pumps are meant to push not suck liquid. This is why they burnt out.

 

shoulda got a mechanical style

 

+1
Nothing wrong with a mechanical fuel pump on a carbureted car.

 

Thanks folks. I have the pump installed on a homemade bracket similar to the Ron Morris setup - so the pump sits about 2" in front of the fuel tank. I then use a 3/8" fuel hose that comes out of the sending unit and makes a circle around to the inlet side of the fuel pump - about a 6" circle. There doesn't appear to be any kinks or fuel blockage issues from the fuel line. The one thing I am wondering is if having a 90 degree moroso fitting coming out of the fuel pump and going up to the fuel line is causing a restriction? Also, I wonder if something is stuck - but I would have thought that I would hear noise?

Unfortunately, when I put the Frontrunner serpentine setup, it has a solid billet front bracket that all the drive assembly pieces bolt to - it closes off the mechanical fuel pump hole. Originally when I found out I had to go with the electrical fuel pump, I wasn't too concerned but this has turned into a real bummer (I had replaced electrical fuel pumps on import cars before and never had a problem).

I got conflicting advice on the wiring regarding my 1st pump - the Holley guys say go big wire and Ron Francis said no big deal........... So I decided to go with the Edelbrock that had the relay and still no go..............

Think I am going to call the jegs folks to see, who knows, maybe I actually got a defective pump this time (doubt it but who knows)

 

forgot to check amperage, going to go check the amps now to ensure I am getting 6 amps to the pump

 

you couldnt modify the serpetine braket by drilling it so you could use the mech pump could you?

 

Yep flying, I have been giving some serious thought as to modifying the billet piece. This is killing me though, can't believe a little fuel pump is kicking my ****.......

Here is a pic of the fuel pump sitting in front of the fuel tank

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