first time down the track advise?

so the consensus is the mechanical pump is up to the job, IF I replace the line leading into it with a 3/8th line?

I am far from a expert but it sure sounds like you are running out of fuel. A 1/4" line is pretty tiny to feed that MRL animal under the hood. I put a 3/8" sender and line in my 66 when I re did it just in case I decide to go big someday.
what was all involved with replacing that?
do I need special tools for that job?