fuel pressure isnt consistent ......need help!

[Chas]

i have an after market fuel pump....looks like holly but i cant be sure....i recently took off a holly carb and put in a edelbrock performer to match the performer manifold......i just installed a liquid filled in-line pressure gauge on the fuel line .....i dont have all the aluminum fittings ...just the adapter for the gauge....i also have an in-line see thru fuel filter.....
the problem is that i seem to get diffrent readings most of the time....from 3 to 7.....seems to drop fairly quick to zero after i shut down....the manual for the edelbrock calls for 5.5 lbs of pressure..

is the pump going?it dont seem to effect the running of it that i can tell....it still runs like a beast!

is the pressure diffrent because i dont have a braided fuel line and all the aluminum fittings?

could i be loosing pressure because of all the rubber and hose clamps?...yet not leak fuel?

should i put on a regulator?

i want to go to the "sealed" type set-up....its gonna be a few bucks i understand.....before i go and pour hard earned cash into a set-up thats not up to par......im asking for as many opinions as i can get to help me start the process of eliminating the stuff i dont need...
as always thanks for all your opinions and time to read this thread....Chas

 

[BB wowbagger]

I bought a lquid filled gage from Jegs and it started to act up really bad.Got a new one and thet one is the same.I tested with a Holley non filled and it was right on the mark.Now i use a Aotometer gage with isolator to be on the safe side..