The Ford Barn

Robert/Texas · 05-24-2017, 07:21 AM

When I bought my '34 roadster in 1994 it had a large and heavy piston type electric fuel pump mounted on the firewall. It had a momentary switch and the mechanical pump was still working. When I converted the car to 12 volts, negative ground I got rid of the electric pump and regulator. Everything worked well except that I had to replace the mechanical pump about 10 years ago. Now that I've gotten older and don't drive it so much it often needs a prime to start.
Will those Airtex pumps work when mounted on the firewall? I hate to cut into the fuel line as it is siamesed with the Hydrostatic fuel gauge line. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks, Robert.

JSeery · 05-24-2017, 08:02 AM

Fuel pumps work best pushing fuel, not pulling fuel. You can mount the pumps anywhere, the original pumps work, but it is always better to mount the pump as near the fuel tank as possible and as low as possible.

Talkwrench · 05-24-2017, 08:24 AM

Yes I have mine mounted on the firewall as a priming pump.

Robert/Texas · 05-24-2017, 02:05 PM

Talkwrench. What kind of priming pump are you using?
Thanks, Robert

Ford Freak · 05-24-2017, 03:17 PM

For just priming , on the firewall will be fine .

Vic Piano · 05-24-2017, 04:27 PM

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I've installed electric fuel pumps on a number of my Flatheads, both 6 and 12 volt versions. I gut the OEM fuel pump and convert it to a 'pass through'. I install the electric pumps back by the gas tank, along with a fuel pressure regulator set as 2.5. I also install a 'kill switch' in a convenient spot under the dashboard. I've posted photos and how to verbiage on my thread "What I Did ON MY Lunch Hour. It makes for a neat installation and everything under the hood looks stock, if that matters to you. I don't like using electric fuel pumps to prime or use in conjunction with a manual pump for the simple reason that, if the manual pump should stop working, it is most likely due to the diaphragm rupturing. If that happens, and you switch on an electric 'back up' pump, chances are very good that some gas will be getting into the crank case... Not a good scenario...

05-24-2017, 07:21 AM	#1
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Electric Fuel Pump When I bought my '34 roadster in 1994 it had a large and heavy piston type electric fuel pump mounted on the firewall. It had a momentary switch and the mechanical pump was still working. When I converted the car to 12 volts, negative ground I got rid of the electric pump and regulator. Everything worked well except that I had to replace the mechanical pump about 10 years ago. Now that I've gotten older and don't drive it so much it often needs a prime to start. Will those Airtex pumps work when mounted on the firewall? I hate to cut into the fuel line as it is siamesed with the Hydrostatic fuel gauge line. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks, Robert.

05-24-2017, 08:02 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Electric Fuel Pump Fuel pumps work best pushing fuel, not pulling fuel. You can mount the pumps anywhere, the original pumps work, but it is always better to mount the pump as near the fuel tank as possible and as low as possible.

05-24-2017, 08:24 AM	#3
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: Electric Fuel Pump Yes I have mine mounted on the firewall as a priming pump. __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

05-24-2017, 02:05 PM	#4
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: Electric Fuel Pump Talkwrench. What kind of priming pump are you using? Thanks, Robert

05-24-2017, 03:17 PM	#5
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Re: Electric Fuel Pump For just priming , on the firewall will be fine .

05-24-2017, 04:27 PM	#6
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Electric Fuel Pump Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've installed electric fuel pumps on a number of my Flatheads, both 6 and 12 volt versions. I gut the OEM fuel pump and convert it to a 'pass through'. I install the electric pumps back by the gas tank, along with a fuel pressure regulator set as 2.5. I also install a 'kill switch' in a convenient spot under the dashboard. I've posted photos and how to verbiage on my thread "What I Did ON MY Lunch Hour. It makes for a neat installation and everything under the hood looks stock, if that matters to you. I don't like using electric fuel pumps to prime or use in conjunction with a manual pump for the simple reason that, if the manual pump should stop working, it is most likely due to the diaphragm rupturing. If that happens, and you switch on an electric 'back up' pump, chances are very good that some gas will be getting into the crank case... Not a good scenario... __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.