Holley fuel Pressure Regulator Garbage??

[70SwingerGuy]

So I bought a Holley 12-887 fuel pressure regulator for my 340, long story short, it didnt work, it had only two settings, full on or full off, turning the adjustment screw did nothing in the way of increment adjustment. So I returned it for replacement. Today it finally came in and I installed it, and this one does the same damn thing. Are these things junk?? Has anyone else had issues with these things? Holley to me has always been a good name in performance, now I am not so certain.
And its not only that the regulator doesnt work, I spent the money on braided line and fittings which are going to have to be changed(more $$), and I drilled 3 holes in my inner fender for mounting it as well.
F*** you Holley, Im pissed.

 

[413]

Did you read instructions?
Do you have the bypass returning to the tank?
Did you call the tech line and ask for help.

https://documents.holley.com/199r11227.pdf

 

[67Dart273]

Sounds to me like you have something plumbed wrong, or maybe return line? plugged or way too small or something such as that.

https://documents.holley.com/cab2d7285ed578b2ee179ea0019736dacb01f60c.pdf

What pump are you using and have you actually checked any pressures? Maybe the pump pressure is so high, it is clear out of range what the regulator can control?

 

[70SwingerGuy]

Did you read instructions?

yes

Do you have the bypass returning to the tank?

not running a bypass, I have it plumbed according to figure 1 of the instructions

Did you call the tech line and ask for help.

https://documents.holley.com/199r11227.pdf

No, I installed it tonight and tech line would be closed, I had planned on sending an email if I can find an address

Sounds to me like you have something plumbed wrong, or maybe return line? plugged or way too small or something such as that.

http://[URL][URL]https://documents.holley.com/cab2d7285ed578b2ee179ea0019736dacb01f60c.pdf

[/URL][/URL]

What pump are you using and have you actually checked any pressures? Maybe the pump pressure is so high, it is clear out of range what the regulator can control?

Thats would I thought too, but I plumbed it according to figure 1 in the instructions, from my mechanical fuel pump to the bottom of the regulator, then out the right side outlet to the carb. I dont know what kind of fuel pump it is, I cannot find any markings on it, but I do know that it is putting out aprox 12 psi according to a pressure gauge that I had installed just before the carb.
I have since installed the pressure gauge at the front of the regulator to try to isolate it from the vibration of the motor.
Since my original post, I have calmed down slightly...haha and I realize that something must be backwards somehow, in the instructions it says that when the adjustment screw is turned all the way in, excessive fuel pressure will occur, in my system, I have to have it backed all the way OUT for it to get pressure.
I explained my system and what I wanted to my local speed shop before initial purchase, and was not given any indication that this reg would not work plumbed this way. Was I misinformed perhaps??
Edit/Update: After doing some investigation, Im beginning to think that I was given some wrong information regarding this reg, Im going to call the Holley tech line tomorrow and find out for sure.

Attached is a pic of the actual install

 

[Newbomb Turk]

I’m going to say it’s a steaming pile of **** because it is.

Holley says it’s a bypass regulator not a dead head. If it is a bypass you have it plumbed backwards.

Like I told another guy on here, Holley produced that piece of junk for way too many years.

When everyone got tired of the garbage, we plumbed them backwards and it worked half assed but it was better than dead heading it.

Then, other manufacturers came out with real bypass regulators, and Holley doubled down on junk and kept selling that trash.

Now that I’ve vented, it should work for what you are doing. If it IS a bypass regulator like Holley says, then you need to plumb it as such and run a return line.

I think Magnafuel makes a dead head regulator that is light years ahead of the Holley.

Mallory had really nice regulators but once MSD bought Mallory and the Holley bought MSD, Mallory has been screwed.

I feel bad for you but this isn’t the first I’ve seen of this.

Holley sucks.

 

[mderoy340]

Plumb it as shown in fig 3 and your problems will go away. They are preset OOTB at 6.5 psi

 

[PRH]

Seems like a simple case of someone ordering the wrong part.
12-887 is listed as a bypass style regulator.

12-803 is a dead head style with a range of 4.5-9psi.

https://www.holley.com/products/fue...regulators/carbureted_regulators/parts/12-887

 

[Newbomb Turk]

MAGNAFUEL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR - ADJUSTABLE - CARB - 4-12 PSI - BLACK - MP-9633-BLK

I would send the Holley back and get a refund. And buy this. I didn’t check the price on the Holley but whatever it is, it’s not worth it.

 

[67Dart273]

What annoys me is EG they don't even specify, that I can see, the max pump pressure. So, Holley, what is it, 15, 25, 125, 1250, 12,500 psi?

 

[440 Mike]

As mentioned, the non-return style Holley regulator is 12-803.........but plenty of bad reviews on it lately.

I recently ordered an Aeromotive regulator, (yes, a Carter mechanical did it's best to wash down my cylinder walls) so fingers crossed on the quality.

Aeromotive 13205 Aeromotive Carbureted Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulators | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Aeromotive Carbureted Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulators with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Fuel Pressure Regulators at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[TT5.9mag]

Post 7 is dead on. You need this….

 

[RustyRatRod]

I've had better luck with MR Gasket regulators. LOL

 

[70SwingerGuy]

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice, looks like it was a case of misinformation, easy enough to correct thankfully.
Im gonna have to go with the Holley 12-803 because it has the same mounting bracket as the 887 and I dont want to add any more holes to my inner fender

 

[Demonx2]

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice, looks like it was a case of misinformation, easy enough to correct thankfully.
Im gonna have to go with the Holley 12-803 because it has the same mounting bracket as the 887 and I dont want to add any more holes to my inner fender

FWIW...the avatar runs that same Holley regulator with a deadheaded system. I have an Aeromotive pump that it regulates to a rock steady 5.5 psi into my 850 Holley carb. When I got the pump, I put a rebuild kit in the regulator and it's been good ever since.

 

[4mulas]

Can’t help but wonder if you have it plumbed correctly.

I use this:

Edelbrock 174053 Edelbrock Fuel Pressure Regulators | Summit Racing

It regulates the EFI pump I have down to 5.5 no problems.

It works excellent. Have it mounted near the back of the car and bypass return back there so save on Russel push loc hose running to the front. If it were more track based car I’d probably run the bypass at the front by the carb to make a continuous loop…

 

[JD’sBarracuda]

So I bought a Holley 12-887 fuel pressure regulator for my 340, long story short, it didnt work, it had only two settings, full on or full off, turning the adjustment screw did nothing in the way of increment adjustment. So I returned it for replacement. Today it finally came in and I installed it, and this one does the same damn thing. Are these things junk?? Has anyone else had issues with these things? Holley to me has always been a good name in performance, now I am not so certain.
And its not only that the regulator doesnt work, I spent the money on braided line and fittings which are going to have to be changed(more $$), and I drilled 3 holes in my inner fender for mounting it as well.
F*** you Holley, Im pissed.

They usually work great! I would go through the instructions again, check your installation and contact a Holley tech

 

[furrystump]

Your liquid filled gauge is going to lie to you also. They change pressure with temp change. Saw mine go from zero to 6 lbs at idle. The to zero at idle for 10 mins. Drained the oil out of the gauge and rock steady 6 lbs.

 

[furrystump]

Funny that I see this post, just got done drawing this.

 

[TT5.9mag]

Funny that I see this post, just got done drawing this. View attachment 1716414410

Huh, hiding the regulator in a stock appearing fuel pump I see. I like it.

 

[jimjimjimmy]

Aeromotive

 

[70SwingerGuy]

Your liquid filled gauge is going to lie to you also. They change pressure with temp change. Saw mine go from zero to 6 lbs at idle. The to zero at idle for 10 mins. Drained the oil out of the gauge and rock steady 6 lbs.

So I went for a cruise a couple of nights ago and noticed that after I got home the pressure dropped from about 6.5 down to 3 with a hot motor. Took your advice and drained the oil out of the gauge tonight and set it for 6 psi on the nose. Went out for a cruise to get her good and warm, came home and it was better, but still dropped to just under 5 psi motor hot. I got out as much oil as I could, and there is none showing on the gauge face, could there be residual traces of oil inside that are still playing tricks? But I wouldnt think that a smidge of oil inside left over would be enough to influence anything, but hey, what do I know?
Or maybe I need a better gauge? This is what I have right now:
Performance World 5215B 0-15PSI Liquid Filled Black Fuel Pressure Gauge. 1.50'' Diameter. 1/8'' NPT
Opinions?

 

[furrystump]

No, any residual oil shouldn’t be an issue. Leave the plug out though. A warm pump might just be less efficient.

 

[PRH]

Pressure should be set with the engine running.

 

[70SwingerGuy]

Pressure should be set with the engine running.

Yes, impossible to set otherwise, but hot or cold? was set to 6 cold before

 

[70SwingerGuy]

No, any residual oil shouldn’t be an issue. Leave the plug out though. A warm pump might just be less efficient.

Took the plug out and went for another cruise, engine got up to running temp, and fuel pressure stayed steady at 6 psi, thanks for the tip