Installing a rear mount electric pump and ditching the mechanical
Building a vapor return system using a Wix filter with a return orifice
Using thick isolator gasket under the carb
^^^ This. Even a $15 Facet 'jiggler' pump will supply all the 318 needs. Makes cold starts a breeze too with a full fuel bowl. Wire it to ACC and itll turn off when you take your keys with you. FACET ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP 12 VOLT 4129204 | eBay
If you want to check the eccentric. just pull the pump and stick a screwdriver in there to lay across the eccentric and bump the motor or turn it slowly and observe the movement of the screwdriver. It could be flopping around in there, but thats a longshot.
