Fuel pressure regulators

[Drbrown]

My '47 has a stock 59AB engine with single Ford model 59 carb and an Airtex electric pump at the tank - used for starting engine.

I get about 3 psi fuel pressure from either my mechanical or the Airtex pump. Its been noted that 3 psi is at the upper limit and it would be better to reduce it to 2.5 or 2 psi. I've also read that the Asian-made pressure reducing devices are not trustworthy.

I would like to hear from Forum Members here what their experiences have been and what brand(s) and models are favored.

Any advice appreciated. Dan B.

[Tony, NY]

I bought the Holley reg and a fuel press gauge. Works fine for my 2 carb setup.
Wouldn't waste my money on the cheap dial type. The price of the Holley has come down since I bought one.
The 1/2psi you're trying to control may be tough to maintain.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...H30aAkfX8P8HAQ

[37 Cab]

cheap ones are not worth the pot metal they are made of. If you must run one, opt for the more expensive billet name brand regulator. On another note.. I am running a 6 volt airtex as my main supply pump with no regulator at 3 psi and it works just fine.

[JT FORD]

Don't spend money on a regulator. 3# is fine for pressure. Just something else to go wrong!

[Lanny]

All I can say is, do NOT use the chrome regulator with the round dial, as when the
diaphragm goes, it sprays fuel all over the place, instant fire hazard. 1st picture shown.

Use the Holley 12-804, 1to 4 # adjustment. The diaphragm can handle todays gas
and if it would happen to spring a leak, at least it has a weep hole that you can put
a very small fitting with a very small hose, and point the hose in a safe direction.


Click on picture to Enlarge.

[hotcoupe]

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If you're going to use a fuel pressure regulator, i would suggest purchaseing a Malpassi brand regulator. I believe they are Italian made, availible on ebay from a company in England. I've use mine about two years, QUALITY product, shipping from England was reasonable and it was delivered within a week. Tom

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by Lanny

All I can say is, do NOT use the chrome regulator with the round dial, as when the
diaphragm goes, it sprays fuel all over the place, instant fire hazard. 1st picture shown.

Use the Holley 12-804, 1to 4 # adjustment. The diaphragm can handle todays gas
and if it would happen to spring a leak, at least it has a weep hole that you can put
a very small fitting with a very small hose, and point the hose in a safe direction.


Click on picture to Enlarge.

I have one of the round regs on my '41. been one for years no problems.

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by fordor41

I have one of the round regs on my '41. been one for years no problems.

=================================================





I had my round dial regulator on for about 2 years. I was lucky, as
my car was right next to my shop, and I had the hood up as I was warming
the engine up to temp.

I was right there watching, when that regulator let loose, and started spraying
gas out from under the round dial, spraying it all over the place.

If I wouldn't have had the hood up and been as close to the shop as I was,
to grab my fire extinguisher, I could have very well lost that car, it happened
so quick.

I will NEVER use one of them round dial POS ever again.
You do as you want.







.

[Drbrown]

THANKS FOR COMMENTS.

Currently use the 59 carb. Recently was using a Holly 2100 that came on the car. Never had flooding or other problems with either. Changed just to try the 59 which has been stored in my trunk as a spare.

I don't see any LOUD alarms here about the 3 psi so I'm inclined to risk continuing as is unless or until a problem surfaces. Always have a spare carb and pump in the back.

[scooder]

I wouldn't fit a pressure regulator if the carb is seeing 3 lb, this is not a problem with a 94. As you've experienced no issues with your current set up, why change it?
No need to worry.
Martin.

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by Lanny

...
Use the Holley 12-804, 1 to 4 # adjustment. The diaphragm can handle todays gas and if it would happen to spring a leak, at least it has a weep hole that you can put a very small fitting with a very small hose, and point the hose in a safe direction.
....

I have the Holley, and when first installed I didn't notice the weep hole, which on mine is just a slot milled in the base of the dome section. One day I smelled gas, opened the hood, and noticed a steady dribble down the engine side of the reg -- towards the exhaust! Got it shut down immediately, no problems (I was at home) After replacing the diaphragm I just spun the top 180 so it would dribble down the inner fender if it leaked.

I don't see how you could pipe that weeper, unless they've changed the design?

A good point about the Holley is that they sell a rebuild kit for $10, p/n 12-807, with a new diaphragm and springs for either 1 - 4 psi or 4.5 - 9 psi operating range. Easy to carry a spare and replace the diaphragm in maybe 5 minutes (depending where you mount the reg).

[Lanny]

I used a small piece of steel tubing, that I threaded (10/32 ) and added a short
piece of plastic tube, and screwed into the weep hole in the regulator.
Now if I get a diaphrapm leak, the gas will be directed to the ground.

If your weep hole is an odd shape, perhaps you could use some JB Weld to fill
in the odd shape of the weep hole, and add the short piece of tube.

Here is a picture of my regulator, Click on picture to Enlarge.

[Ross F-1]

Does yours have the notch like this? That's where it weeps on mine.

[Lanny]

Click on my picture to Enlarge it, and you can see the small steel threaded tube
sticking out the side closest to my drivers side inner fender. The small tube has
a bend in it, so it points down toward the ground.









.

[glennpm]

I bought one of the Holley 12-804 units and deciding on what to do about adjusting it. I called Holley tech a a little while ago and was told that they are preset to 2 1/2 psi which is what I'm after but he also said that it was an approximate setting.

I'm looking for recommendations on a small pressure gauge to mount on one of the output ports that has a small total pressure range and is built well. Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks

[glennpm]

Lanny, still a little unclear about how you connected your drain. Did you tap in where the groove is located?

[Lanny]

hi Glen, if you look real close, after Enlarging my picture, you can kinda see where
the metal is embossed, and the small tube comes out. This hole was already
threaded ( 10/32 ), so I threaded the steel tube I made and bent it down towards
the ground.
I put a small pressure gauge in the fuel line, closer to the carb.








.

[glennpm]

Thanks, it seems you have an earlier model that had that threaded feature. Mine just has a notch beneath the adjusting nut.

[Kahuna]

Something that you may consider as a friend of mine has done this:
he bought a Beldan (sp) pump from NAPA, 12 volts & runs it on his 6 volt system. I have the same pump on my 32 with a 12 volt system. On my 32 it puts out a steady 5# pressure. His on 6 volts puts out a very steady 2#. He runs a 97 carb ,which I understand, is more susceptible to higher fuel pressure.
Just a thought

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by glennpm

I bought one of the Holley 12-804 units and deciding on what to do about adjusting it. I called Holley tech a a little while ago and was told that they are preset to 2 1/2 psi which is what I'm after but he also said that it was an approximate setting.

I'm looking for recommendations on a small pressure gauge to mount on one of the output ports that has a small total pressure range and is built well. Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks

Don't buy a gauge that's liquid-filled!

I just set mine using a vacuum gauge/FP pressure testing gauge, an old Actron. There's an extra port on the reg you can connect to, or what I do is pull the rubber hose off at the carb, add a Tee with the gauge and a short section of hose to connect to the carb. Set it, then remove. They seem to hold a setting quite well.