The Ford Barn

john in illinois · 08-29-2016, 04:06 PM

I have a facet pump rated at 1 1/2 -2 1/2 psi. No regulator. It pumps at a steady 1 1/2. I thought it might run in middle of the range,but no. Is this enough pressure for 2 97s on 276 motor?
At 1 1/2 psi it delivers 10 gph.
John

Seth Swoboda · 08-29-2016, 04:11 PM

That should be enough. Have you tried firing the engine up with the pump installed?

john in illinois · 08-29-2016, 04:29 PM

Seth,the engine runs great. I have driven it around my house on country roads.
No highway.

John

JSeery · 08-29-2016, 05:10 PM

One thing you can do is plumb in a fuel pressure gauge so you can see what the pressure is doing at higher RPMs. I like fuel pressure gauges on all of my non-stock engines.

john in illinois · 08-30-2016, 06:27 AM

I have a permanent gage. It stays at 1 1/2 all the time. Stromberg I think calls for max 2lbs. Hopefully this will be enough.

John

JM 35 Sedan · 08-30-2016, 07:07 AM

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Where you might have problems is when the engine and engine compartment heat up on a highway run, or a hard incline pull, on a hot summer day. Operating at the lower end of the pressure range could be a problem when the alcohol in todays gas begins to vaporize causing enough internal pressure in the fuel pump and gas lines, to and from the FP, to stop the flow of gas to the carburetor. Otherwise known as the classic vapor lock condition.

john in illinois · 08-30-2016, 12:08 PM

John,that is a good point that I had not thought of. Right now I am happy to drive it around after 3 1/2 years work,but I will probably put a higher pressure pump and regulator on it later before a long drive.That is what I usually do,but this was an experiment.

John

swanwaco32 · 08-30-2016, 05:14 PM

I am hearing of lots of vapor lock problems with older cars..!!

G.M. · 08-31-2016, 08:21 AM

I like to see 3 to 3.5 lbs fuel pressure when everything is COLD. It drops some
when hot. 1.5 lbs is a sure invitation to vapor lock especially with corn gas when
parts get hot on hot days. A modern type Goss valve constantly leaves small
amounts of fuel in and the float level hardly changes. This means cooler tank
gas is always moving through the fuel system helping cool things. G.M.

Ol' Ron · 08-31-2016, 08:32 AM

Your biggest problem will come in around 75/80 mph and it probably won't get over a 100.

08-29-2016, 04:06 PM	#1
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Fuel pressure question I have a facet pump rated at 1 1/2 -2 1/2 psi. No regulator. It pumps at a steady 1 1/2. I thought it might run in middle of the range,but no. Is this enough pressure for 2 97s on 276 motor? At 1 1/2 psi it delivers 10 gph. John Last edited by john in illinois; 08-29-2016 at 04:11 PM.

08-29-2016, 04:11 PM	#2
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,795	Re: Fuel pressure question That should be enough. Have you tried firing the engine up with the pump installed?

08-29-2016, 04:29 PM	#3
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Fuel pressure question Seth,the engine runs great. I have driven it around my house on country roads. No highway. John

08-29-2016, 05:10 PM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Fuel pressure question One thing you can do is plumb in a fuel pressure gauge so you can see what the pressure is doing at higher RPMs. I like fuel pressure gauges on all of my non-stock engines.

08-30-2016, 06:27 AM	#5
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Fuel pressure question I have a permanent gage. It stays at 1 1/2 all the time. Stromberg I think calls for max 2lbs. Hopefully this will be enough. John

08-30-2016, 07:07 AM	#6
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Fuel pressure question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Where you might have problems is when the engine and engine compartment heat up on a highway run, or a hard incline pull, on a hot summer day. Operating at the lower end of the pressure range could be a problem when the alcohol in todays gas begins to vaporize causing enough internal pressure in the fuel pump and gas lines, to and from the FP, to stop the flow of gas to the carburetor. Otherwise known as the classic vapor lock condition. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 08-30-2016 at 12:16 PM.

08-30-2016, 12:08 PM	#7
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Fuel pressure question John,that is a good point that I had not thought of. Right now I am happy to drive it around after 3 1/2 years work,but I will probably put a higher pressure pump and regulator on it later before a long drive.That is what I usually do,but this was an experiment. John

08-30-2016, 05:14 PM	#8
swanwaco32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: KC Posts: 266	Re: Fuel pressure question I am hearing of lots of vapor lock problems with older cars..!!

08-31-2016, 08:21 AM	#9
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Fuel pressure question I like to see 3 to 3.5 lbs fuel pressure when everything is COLD. It drops some when hot. 1.5 lbs is a sure invitation to vapor lock especially with corn gas when parts get hot on hot days. A modern type Goss valve constantly leaves small amounts of fuel in and the float level hardly changes. This means cooler tank gas is always moving through the fuel system helping cool things. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

08-31-2016, 08:32 AM	#10
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Fuel pressure question Your biggest problem will come in around 75/80 mph and it probably won't get over a 100.