The Ford Barn

onedon · 08-29-2018, 08:44 PM

Hello Guys, I'm going to put a 12 volt electric fuel pump on my 37 ford flathead. I know it shouldn't be high pressure I've seen some cheap ones on ebay for lawnmowers and cycles 1-4 lbs. pressure. Do you recon one would work? I'm going to use the mechanical one mostly. This would just be used if it would vapor lock or if the mec. went out. I don't want to buy a 40-50 dollar one and then have to put a regulator on also.

tubman · 08-29-2018, 09:01 PM

Other than the obvious lack of quality, it might work for what you want it for. One problem I can think if right away is that it may lack the "pull through" capability more expensive ones have. There is a way to get around this with a branch line with a check valve in it. If they're cheap enough, why don't you get one and try it?

Whether it works or not, you would be adding to the knowledge base.

38bill · 08-29-2018, 09:28 PM

FWIW: You can get a automotive 12V Universal Low Pressure Electric Fuel Pump with Installation Kit on fleabay for around $12. I have one that I use as a fuel transfer pump. Don't know if its a pull through.

Drbrown · 08-30-2018, 12:18 AM

Most of the knowledgeable members here seem to recommend a flow-thru Airtex type elec pump installed at tank, putting out about 2.5 psi max at engine for a single carb and retaining the mechanical pump.

I have a stock carb, mechanical pump for regular driving, and both my mechanical and 12 volt electric pump, individually, test at about 3 psi output at the output side of the mechanical pump, which I was told is absolute max. Many say if above 2.5 psi, use a pressure regulator. I have no problems at 3 PSI.

50fordcoupeman · 08-30-2018, 12:55 AM

I have the same set up as the Dr. Right out of the tank I have a shut off valve, then a filter, then the electric pump. No more gas running down my arms to change the filter.

19Fordy · 08-30-2018, 08:47 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

onedon: I use the FACET low pressure pump. Trouble is it has a loud clicking.
I have been told that if you mount it on a rubber cushion and use a short piece of rubber fuel line on each end it gets much quieter.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...facetpumps.php

Drbrown · 08-30-2018, 11:25 AM

My Airtex elec pump is at tank mounted to frame. I only hear it when its pumping-up the pressure before I start the engine. It goes quiet after the pressure is up and the engine is running on the mechanical pump.

Regarding Filters: My car came with new gas tank so no one put a filter there or at the engine .... so far okay - the glass bowl on the mechanical pump stays clean.

Until decades ago gas stations were still using underground steel storage tanks, we use to get dirt, rust and water in the gas, which had auto stores selling aftermarket filters. Also, if you were in an off-the-beaten-path location that didn't sell much gas, you got stale gas and the steel tanks rotted faster. I believe most modern cars have replaceable gas filters.

Thankfully, due to environmental concerns about ground contamination from the many leaking tanks (gas, fuel oil, waste oil, etc) the tanks had to be changed to double-wall fiberglass type tanks, and cars are exposed to less gas contamination. All this of course does not address rusty auto gas tanks.

38bill · 08-30-2018, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

onedon: I use the FACET low pressure pump. Trouble is it has a loud clicking.
I have been told that if you mount it on a rubber cushion and use a short piece of rubber fuel line on each end it gets much quieter.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...facetpumps.php

I also run a Facet on my truck. Been working good for 18 years as the sole fuel pump. It is a little noisy when the engine isnt running but once started I don't notice the noise.

Don · 08-30-2018, 12:13 PM

I mounted one of the cheap pumps 12 v on the fire wall of my 36 pu,just for backup,original pump works fine ,my only problem is I have to much pressure with mechanicalpump,about 5+#,think I’ll put a thicker gasket under pump to see if this lowers psi...

Jack E/NJ · 08-30-2018, 12:54 PM

Rubber-mounted Facet here too. Up front and low. Hose & filter on suction side. All metal flared tubing on pressure side. Jack E/NJ

john greco · 08-31-2018, 07:56 AM

The cheap pump your taking about will pump thru and they work good for a second prime pump

FL&WVMIKE · 08-31-2018, 08:14 AM

This is a good thread about electric fuel pumps, including a diagram describing how a person can use both an electric and auxiliary electric pump.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248484

08-29-2018, 08:44 PM	#1
onedon Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 34	electric fuel pump Hello Guys, I'm going to put a 12 volt electric fuel pump on my 37 ford flathead. I know it shouldn't be high pressure I've seen some cheap ones on ebay for lawnmowers and cycles 1-4 lbs. pressure. Do you recon one would work? I'm going to use the mechanical one mostly. This would just be used if it would vapor lock or if the mec. went out. I don't want to buy a 40-50 dollar one and then have to put a regulator on also.

08-29-2018, 09:01 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,347	Re: electric fuel pump Other than the obvious lack of quality, it might work for what you want it for. One problem I can think if right away is that it may lack the "pull through" capability more expensive ones have. There is a way to get around this with a branch line with a check valve in it. If they're cheap enough, why don't you get one and try it? Whether it works or not, you would be adding to the knowledge base.

08-29-2018, 09:28 PM	#3
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: electric fuel pump FWIW: You can get a automotive 12V Universal Low Pressure Electric Fuel Pump with Installation Kit on fleabay for around $12. I have one that I use as a fuel transfer pump. Don't know if its a pull through.

08-30-2018, 12:18 AM	#4
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: electric fuel pump Most of the knowledgeable members here seem to recommend a flow-thru Airtex type elec pump installed at tank, putting out about 2.5 psi max at engine for a single carb and retaining the mechanical pump. I have a stock carb, mechanical pump for regular driving, and both my mechanical and 12 volt electric pump, individually, test at about 3 psi output at the output side of the mechanical pump, which I was told is absolute max. Many say if above 2.5 psi, use a pressure regulator. I have no problems at 3 PSI.

08-30-2018, 12:55 AM	#5
50fordcoupeman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: LaGrande Oregon Posts: 866	Re: electric fuel pump I have the same set up as the Dr. Right out of the tank I have a shut off valve, then a filter, then the electric pump. No more gas running down my arms to change the filter.

08-30-2018, 08:47 AM	#6
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,973	Re: electric fuel pump Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) onedon: I use the FACET low pressure pump. Trouble is it has a loud clicking. I have been told that if you mount it on a rubber cushion and use a short piece of rubber fuel line on each end it gets much quieter. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...facetpumps.php

08-30-2018, 11:25 AM	#7
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: electric fuel pump My Airtex elec pump is at tank mounted to frame. I only hear it when its pumping-up the pressure before I start the engine. It goes quiet after the pressure is up and the engine is running on the mechanical pump. Regarding Filters: My car came with new gas tank so no one put a filter there or at the engine .... so far okay - the glass bowl on the mechanical pump stays clean. Until decades ago gas stations were still using underground steel storage tanks, we use to get dirt, rust and water in the gas, which had auto stores selling aftermarket filters. Also, if you were in an off-the-beaten-path location that didn't sell much gas, you got stale gas and the steel tanks rotted faster. I believe most modern cars have replaceable gas filters. Thankfully, due to environmental concerns about ground contamination from the many leaking tanks (gas, fuel oil, waste oil, etc) the tanks had to be changed to double-wall fiberglass type tanks, and cars are exposed to less gas contamination. All this of course does not address rusty auto gas tanks.

08-30-2018, 12:13 PM	#9
Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,159	Re: electric fuel pump I mounted one of the cheap pumps 12 v on the fire wall of my 36 pu,just for backup,original pump works fine ,my only problem is I have to much pressure with mechanicalpump,about 5+#,think I’ll put a thicker gasket under pump to see if this lowers psi... __________________ DON P

08-30-2018, 12:54 PM	#10
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: electric fuel pump Rubber-mounted Facet here too. Up front and low. Hose & filter on suction side. All metal flared tubing on pressure side. Jack E/NJ

08-31-2018, 07:56 AM	#11
john greco Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: tx Posts: 250	Re: electric fuel pump The cheap pump your taking about will pump thru and they work good for a second prime pump

08-31-2018, 08:14 AM	#12
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: electric fuel pump This is a good thread about electric fuel pumps, including a diagram describing how a person can use both an electric and auxiliary electric pump. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248484 __________________ Mike Jr. here. I get on here every few months to check messages, and look through his almost 500 saved messages for information on the '29 and '34 I still have. A lot of very nice people on here. He truly enjoyed Ford Barn.