mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

I've got a basically stock '39 flathead in my '36 coupe ( just 2 carbs with the back one blocked off) , don't intend on driving it REALLY long distances, and I'm wondering if I should stay with the mechanical pump or block it off and put a small electric one back by the tank. I do like the "servicabilty" of the mechanical one but don't like the "perceived" lack of reliability of them. Who has the best / nosy reliable mechanical ones now? Thanks!

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

I have both on the car...never an issue.

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

stay with the mechanical, use an electric fuel pump as a back up, if you do use an electric one just remember that most of them put out around 5 to 7 pounds pressure which is to high for the ford carbs, you will need a pressure regulator to go along with it

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Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

I've been running on the first fuel pump I put on the A V8... (Ten years ago) Got that from a pile of used parts... And, there's a spare pump under the seat that came from an engine core...
I was originally going to run an electric with this engine (in a different car)...

Don't think I'll bother with the electric.

Karl

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

Thanks guys!

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Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

Good info.Thanx Richard.

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

With stock flathead, I consider an electric fuel pump to be a "Band-Aid" to get around solving real problems. I had one in my '51 because of perceived "vapor lock". It turned out to be a substandard (grounds, battery, etc.) electrical system. Once I got everything straightened out, I removed the electric pump and everything has been fine since then. (This was about 10 years ago.) All of this being said, I am in north central Minnesota where is only gets above 90 5 or 6 days a year. Things may be different in Arizona and similar locales.

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

your right Richard, but where are the 6v ones?

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Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

Great info, guys. Richard, I'm thinking the Facet 40171......3.5 - 2 psi would be best?

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Yassir, I'm not part of the "kicking and screaming group" ....mine's now 12 volt!:)

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Good to see someone's blaming Electrical for vapour lock .I run a Mechanical pump only ,but you should always carry a spare that's been on the car and tuned to suet the push rod then removed and stored in the car .Ted

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

car quest sells a 6 volt electric pump got one on my 39 and 46 they work great just switch the power and ground wires around.ive put a couple dozen on differant cars as a back up.also nice when car hasnt been used for a whilecant recall ever having to regulate one.there also pretty quite.we always keep 2 in stock.work on a lot of old cars.primarally use them to save on starter and batt.cant recall one going bad.

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

Never had any problems with mechanical fuel pumps. I put on a 6V Carter from Macs to prime the carb if she's been sitting a while. The first one, even on this minor duty, only lasted a couple of years. I got another to save having to re-plumb and out of curiousity as to whether the first was an aberation. Been on a year ...

Re: mechanical or electric fuel pump
 

Not quite sure what your twin carb set up is, but if you set them up right it's possible to achieve a 5% saving in fuel over a single carb, plus your engine gets a bit peppier. If done right it's a win win situation.

Flathead Teds method is 'Gold Standard' that would be my preference, and very simple too.

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Again, thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated!