Airtex electric fuel pump E8902

[fordman]

In the v8 times jan/feb 2011 magazine there is an article about the Airtex fuel pump E6 volt E8902 six volt. It was mentioned it does not have a rubber diaphragm and is good with ethanol. What is your experience with this pump?

A fuel pump regulator was mentioned..... comments please.

thanks,

fordman

[My 34 Ford]

My first one failed in less than a year. This was on a car that was only started about 10 times to move it in and out of the garage. I took the failed pump apart and it looks like a very good pump well made and easy to hook up, I am sure that I am the exception and suspect that my tank is not as clean as I want it to be. The pump has a piston that runs off of a magnetic impulse. Put another one on the car but this time put an inline fuel filter in front of the pump and second one works fine. I am sure if I had put a filter in front of the first pump it would still be working today.

[c-gor]

Fordman

For what it is worth, I submitted that article to the V-8 Times. I have two vehicles and have been running an Airtex pump on each one for about the past 10+ years without a problem. Both cars are driven each year to Early Ford V-8 Meets. I alternate the vehicles so each year a different one is driven. Usually the length of the trip is over 1,000 miles and to date, Knock Wood, I have not had a problem.

I have installed a quality "in line" filter between the fuel tank and the pump and one after the fuel pump that I clean every few years. Incidentally, the E8902 is a low pressure pump (<4.5 lbs).

Hope this helps.

[4dFord/SC]

Mine without a regulator has given 8+ years of good service. Definitely use a fuel filter between it and the tank.

[40cpe]

I have a 12v version of the pump in my '40. I got about 15 years and 55,000 miles out of the first one and it blew the 5 amp fuse about a block from my house. The instructions say use a 10 amp, so I replaced the fuse with a heavier one and continued on my way. I have carried a spare pump since day one, so I changed it out and use the old one as the spare now. If I had a DC ohm meter I would have loved to see if it was the fuse or the pump, but changed it out for peace of mind. I think they are great pumps and very dependable.

[42guy]

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Gotten 8 years on mine so far.

[Pat/Ohio]

I have been using the Airtex E8902 for two or three years....for priming and vapor locks (only had two so far ). They work great. Mine came with a filter mounted on the rear of the pump. As mentioned above...these are low pressure pumps made for vintage cars. Pat

[51woodie]

Just ready to install an E8902 on my ‘46 Deluxe and wonder about to polarity. I have + ground, so do I put + lead to power or ground?

[koates]

Originally Posted by 51woodie

Just ready to install an E8902 on my ‘46 Deluxe and wonder about to polarity. I have + ground, so do I put + lead to power or ground?

YES, for a Pos ground car connect the positive or Red wire to ground or chassis and the black wire to power through an in line fuse of about 10 amps. The red wire is often not really red but a tan colour. An absolute must is to fit an inline filter between the tank and electric pump. If any muck from the tank gets into the pump then it will fail. Regards, Kevin.

[4dFord/SC]

Install it as close to the fuel tank as possible. Mine's on the rear cross rail.

[slowforty]

Mine is on the frame lower than the tank so it has a prime all the time.Was a lot easier to install as there was less iron in the way

[Jack E/NJ]

My Airtex developed a pressure-side case leak around its FPT connection shortly after it was installed. Jack E/NJ

[J Franklin]

My old Dupree pump shut off after pressure was met before starting the engine. I notice the Airtex does not. Is this a malfunction? It is not leaking from a faulty mechanical pump diaphragm because it is dummied straight through.

[v8nut]

Speaking of Airtex fuel pumps. I have installed a 6v positive ground unit on my 1939 Convertible Sedan and it seems to be working fine. I have it running full time. My friends say I should put a momentary switch in the line and only use it for starting and when having trouble with vapor lock. Any comments or suggestions on thisi??

[Pat/Ohio]

Originally Posted by v8nut

Speaking of Airtex fuel pumps. I have installed a 6v positive ground unit on my 1939 Convertible Sedan and it seems to be working fine. I have it running full time. My friends say I should put a momentary switch in the line and only use it for starting and when having trouble with vapor lock. Any comments or suggestions on thisi??

I use a momentary switch also. I use my Airtex E8902 for priming and for "Vapor lock" situations only. No need to run it all the time with a mechanical pump. The mechanical pump will draw fuel through your Airtex pump. Good luck, Pat

[slowforty]

Airtex are usually cheapest at Rock Auto