Turns out there's a lot more options out there to choose from than I thought, ranging anywhere from $25 up to $200! I have a mildly built 440. Is it best to just stick to mechanical? I think my line is 3/8 but I'll have to double check.
Recommended fuel pump?
- Thread starter phaelax
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The Carter Strip pump is an excellent choice.
A issue many have been having with new pumps regardless of brand is excessive fuel pressure. Depending on what the pump puts out and what carb you are running will tell you if you need a regulator. Carter/Edelbrock carbs like no more than 5#. Holley's can stand up to around 7#. You should test the new pump to make sure.
I'm currently using a Quickfuel 750. According to their website, they recommend 6.5 psi with a max of 7. The carter strip states 6.9 to 9.5, so that may not be a great choice. (without a regulator
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If the car is not driven often, an electric pump [ Carter ] is a good idea. No need to crank engine to fill the carb as you would have to do with a mech pump.
The Carter 4594 would be perfect for a mild 440. Cheap & reliable.
The Carter 4594 would be perfect for a mild 440. Cheap & reliable.
A regulator is part of a GOOD HP fuel system and with today's fuels, a return system should be, too. Either you want a good fuel system, or not. Even a "mildly built" 440 is going to have a thirst for fuel over that of a stock engine. It needs a good pump. I normally run high pressure pumps with all of my hot builds, but this slant six is an exception, because no one makes an HP pump for it. But I plan on modifying a Carter strip pump for a big block, adding a return style regulator and a return line to the tank. It's really the only way to feed a real HP build. While you don't have to have a return and you can run a low pressure pump and dead head it at the carburetor, with today's crappy gas, a good return really helps and an HP pump is really the only way to support that. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
Check out the Carter M6903.
Reportedly 5.5-6.5 fuel pressure rating.
No regulator necessary, Carter quality.
Reportedly 5.5-6.5 fuel pressure rating.
No regulator necessary, Carter quality.
383Scampman
Well-Known Member
I went through this with my build . I even went so far as to purchase a Carter , Holley , NAPA and Edelbrock . All of them had either 1/4" or 5/16 inlet and outlet except for the Edelbrock which had 3/8" in/out . So that's what Im' using .
Edelbrock recommends no more than 6# and says set your regulator at 5.5. As long as that's what the pump put out you are golden. Always check it though.
At one time Ryan Brown would test fuel pumps for max pressure and for flow at 4.5 psi resistance through the entire rpm range of interest.
I'm not sure he still does that since the accident but he's only an email or phone call away.
I'm not sure he still does that since the accident but he's only an email or phone call away.
Daves69
Well-Known Member
FWIW, If ya' have a mechanical for rebuild or is too high pressured for your system, you might check with Then and Now. Evidently they can modify your rebuildable Carter to desired output pressure.
Fuel Pump Repair Kits | Then and Now Automotive (then-now-auto.com)
Fuel Pump Repair Kits | Then and Now Automotive (then-now-auto.com)
lilfontleroy
annoyinglilLeroy
it's simple Simon, get a good pump and use a regulator
a Holley "red" or "blue" will do the trick for you as will the Carter or any pump that can produce 7+ psi, correct size AN fittings and a fuel pressure regulator (I prefer one with a gauge port), your carb feed line should have a gauge after the regulator and be as close to the carb as possible
fuel line hard 90's and long runs after the regulator can rob some pressure as will mismatched line ID's, a liquid filled gauge mounted close to the carb will likely get hot and misread after a while, you'll get a good reading from it for long enough to get the pressure set, as long as the reading at the regulator stays set you should be good
FYI, there's a ****-ton of good reading out there and an amazing array of ways to get this done, your wallet may be the deciding factor. IIRC the "old school" hot rod method is tank, filter, pump, filter, regulator, carb. You should also read up on return lines, they are not always required.
Good luck with it
jbc426
Well-Known Member
Which ever pump you decide to go with, add a return line to your fuel system, so you don't have a deadhead style set-up.
It's not difficult to do and doesn't cost a lot, but it helps keep your fuel cooler, helps defeat vapor lock and is easier on the pump. You can feed it using either a return style regulator or a 3 nipple fuel filter up near the carb. Be sure to keep your lines away from the hot engine parts.
I added a larger return line on my sending unit using real silver solder, not the fake kind they sell at many hardware stores. I sourced it from a welding supply house. I used an electric pump, but you can use a mechanical pump with the same style return line. The 1/4" return line is pretty small. I went 3/8".
Scamp Rhonda
Well-Known Member
What are your intentions with this build?
10 second cars run mechanical pumps. Extra or different stuff isn't always necessary in my opinion.
I got my pump from summit last night, put it in this morning. Should've only take a few minutes, but I ended up driving to 4 different stores before I could find the correct connectors. The old pump only had one connector on it and I nearly stripped it trying to get it off. The inlet on it was part of the housing. The old pump appeared to have no way to actually take it apart (I wanted to see the diaphragm) nor any labels or markings to note brand or in/out flow. Trying to keep the pushrod up so I could fit the new pump was an annoyance. Checked for leaks and off I went. I can finally drive my car again! And just a correction to my original post, my hose is 5/16", not 3/8.
Carter M6903 Carter Street Super Mechanical Fuel Pumps | Summit Racing
Carter M6903 Carter Street Super Mechanical Fuel Pumps | Summit Racing
Daves69
Well-Known Member
A dab of grease can help hold the pushrod rod up while you position the pump.
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