Fuel pump with no return line

[rob77]

I want to replace my stock fuel pump with an Edelbrock 110psi pump (mechanical). The stock pump has a tank return line but the Edelbrock doesn't. Is it necessary to use the return line with this new pump? Can the return line simply be blocked-off? Any advise is appreciated.

Rob

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I want to replace my stock fuel pump with an Edelbrock 110psi pump (mechanical).

Why? Please don't tell us it's because you think it's an 'upgrade'.

 

[Eddie 70]

I want to replace my stock fuel pump with an Edelbrock 110psi pump (mechanical). The stock pump has a tank return line but the Edelbrock doesn't. Is it necessary to use the return line with this new pump? Can the return line simply be blocked-off? Any advise is appreciated.

Rob

I think you mean GPH not PSI. I did exactly this and yes I blocked off the return line. The only thing I can think of that the return line might prevent is vapor lock. I have had none of this with the currrent setup and have over 3000 miles on it. Go forward with your project.

 

[GerryLP]

I have had no problems on this issue also. My Holley fuel pump works fine. Get a rubber cap and clamp for the return line.

It's true, there is probably no difference between aftermarket and stock pumps, but IMHO, on a street/strip car one would want insurance on fuel delivery on heavy loads such as drag racing. I am all for making a vehicle so dependable that it is "heavy duty" ready...:L

GerryLP:cool

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I I am all for making a vehicle so dependable that it is "heavy duty" ready...:L

GerryLP:cool

The stock pump is already heavy duty - it was used in road racing and drag situations on L-88s. Is that not enough overkill for everybody?

The stock pump also RARELY fails in service, except from old age. Aftermarket pumps do not have any track record of being more reliable than the stock component

Again I ask, what does the original poster expect to improve by removing his reliable, overkill heavy duty pump and replacing with an aftermarket piece that has to be jury rigged to work?


Maybe people are watching too much 'pimp my ride' or reading too many Summit catalogues?

 

[celeryman22]

Hey Mikey this is the same thing you went through with me. The problem with me is I already purchased and installed mine before I heard your arguements. I totally agree with you, this is why I ran the extra fuel line even though it won't be used. I personnally hate have things not connected maybe in the end I will swap out my Edelbrock pump for a stock model.

Regards,
Mike

PS. My "wife" always says I read too many catalogues!

 

[GerryLP]

The stock pump is already heavy duty - it was used in road racing and drag situations on L-88s...Maybe people are watching too much 'pimp my ride' or reading too many Summit catalogues?

I'll take your word on the fuel pump origin, and I'll risk taking a tangent track on the original issue here, but a lot of folks act as if original manufacturers are the "authority" on what works. They may be the authority on what was part of a particular model of vehicle that they produced, but they don't have the innovation market cornered.

Giants like the General mostly react to what the public is after if they see a business sense into it. As a result, they tend to be behind the curve on what the customer wants. Truely, the top car manufacturers can afford all the R&D that one can throw at them, but generally speaking, the garage entrepreneur or innovator is the one that is able to make the big technological leaps on performance. They are able to correct whatever shortfalls the top manufacturers left out of their design, and thus, capitalize on the public's demand. We're just numbers to the General.

Again, I agree that the fuel pump does seem to last for along time, and that the design is probably suited for normal driving or even keep up with powerful motors out there. However, one should not knock the role that the aftermarket products have in todays economy. A lot of folks are not willing to only take what the manufacturers have planned for us. Some folks will demand more. If I recall history correctly, the Corvette (some people argue that the Camaro or even the Chevy II) motivated Ford to design the venerable Mustang -reaction to the publics desires personified!

GerryLP:cool

 

[RodsnRides]

GerryLP-

While I can generally agree with your statements, my version of history has it the Corvette was a stand alone US offering in 1953-built as a reaction to Triumph, MG and perhaps Jaguar. The Thunderbird was Ford's reaction to the Corvette. And the Cobra was Carroll Shelby's response to Zora Arkus-Duntov's improved Corvette.

The Mustang was good market sense at the time, and the Camaro was the General's reaction to it. The Chevy II/Nova and Ford Falcon were, I believe, built to compete with the Valiant/Dart.

As far as the aftermarket-while stock offerings (especially L-88, LS-6, ZR-1, etc.) can be excellent, there is always room for and a market for improvement. Edelbrock, Crane, Comp Cams, etc. are living proof. How many Performer manifolds do you suppose are out there? I personally have 4 installed-but not on the Corvette-yet.

Rick

 

[GerryLP]

GerryLP-

While I can generally agree with your statements, my version of history has it the Corvette was a stand alone US offering in 1953-built as a reaction to Triumph, MG and perhaps Jaguar. The Thunderbird was Ford's reaction to the Corvette. And the Cobra was Carroll Shelby's response to Zora Arkus-Duntov's improved Corvette.

The Mustang was good market sense at the time, and the Camaro was the General's reaction to it. The Chevy II/Nova and Ford Falcon were, I believe, built to compete with the Valiant/Dart.

As far as the aftermarket-while stock offerings (especially L-88, LS-6, ZR-1, etc.) can be excellent, there is always room for and a market for improvement. Edelbrock, Crane, Comp Cams, etc. are living proof. How many Performer manifolds do you suppose are out there? I personally have 4 installed-but not on the Corvette-yet.

Rick

Rick,

Thanks for correcting my historical characterization, but your comments has strenghtened my point anyway. The big manufacturers react...

GerryLP:cool

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Somebody please tell me what any aftermarket pump will do better than the stock unit.

 

[rob77]

Thanks for all the comments.

I'm rebuilding my engine and sprucing-up the engine compartment at the same time. I'm considering the aftermarket pump for 2 reasons: the first is performance - I thought the aftermarket pump actually pumped more fuel than stock (110 GPH vs 80 GPH). The second reason is for looks.
The only reason I 'm considering Edelbrock is that I'll be upgrading to their Intake and carb at the same time.
Rob

 

[celeryman22]

Rob, I also used the edelbrock pump, with the edelbrock intake and carb. I am also using the edelbrock heads. Haven't got it running yet, I am waitng on a set of headers and the actual carb.

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

Rob,
i have the same pump you are considdering, but it's rated at 140 gpm and 11-14psi. it feeds 600hp pretty good. with no return line you are subject to heating of the fuel in the pump and line. this causes vapor lock and boiling of fuel in the float bowls. i have seen this first hand with my unit, plus sidepipes don't help with keeping fuel cool. i fixed the problem with it by utilizing a by-pass return regulator. the pressure regulator will send all fuel to carb under your pressure setting, usually 6 psi for carbs. anything over your "pop-off" pressure setting will return to tank. this does two very important things for you. first and foremost it keeps the fuel cold and circulating. secondly is a dynamic, flowing, fuel system will not experience the momentary drop in pressure once the carb requires more fuel. the colder your fuel, the more power you will make. i must warn you that by-pass regulators run $100-$140. it is a far better option than just running a shut-off pressure regulator for $30. also the by-pass hooks up to your return line just like a stock pump would. Aeromotive makes some pretty good looking units, that's what i ended up with. your stock pump only returns from the pump back. going you're proposed route, your return will be just before the carb. this keeps the fuel nearly at tank temps when it hits the carb. the stock system can heat the fuel 50 degrees before it gets to the carb. that measurement was taken from my car. bottom line is the new stuff is better, but not cheap. you will have to weigh your options and costs and make your own mind up. Brian

 

[JohnZ]

Thanks for all the comments.

I'm rebuilding my engine and sprucing-up the engine compartment at the same time. I'm considering the aftermarket pump for 2 reasons: the first is performance - I thought the aftermarket pump actually pumped more fuel than stock (110 GPH vs 80 GPH). The second reason is for looks.
The only reason I 'm considering Edelbrock is that I'll be upgrading to their Intake and carb at the same time.
Rob

Not flaming here, but "performance" has nothing to do with a fuel pump unless you're making over 600hp and suffering from WOT fuel starvation; the stock pump is more than adequate for an L-88 under race conditions, so don't be fooled into thinking that an aftermarket pump is going to do anything at all for "performance", unless your current pump has failed completely. "Improved performance" is the aftermarket's favorite phrase. If you like the looks of the chrome aftermarket pump, go for it, but that's the only "benefit" you'll see from an aftermarket pump; don't expect any "performance" increase - all the pump does is keep the float bowl full.

 

[brusso]

Somebody please tell me what any aftermarket pump will do better than the stock unit.

The aftermarkets pumps are more pretty?

 

[rgtrough]

Mallory pressure regulator

Hey guys, I went with an aftermarket high volume fuel pump because after all the time/effort/money that I put into this engine I wasn't going to look at an old ugly fuel pump.
The holley pump that I installed made more pressure than my carb wanted causing it to flood. This was fixed just as arkay said, installing a High quality inline pressure regulator with a return line. I paid $82 for my mallory and am very pleased with it.
Hey Mikey, back off. Not everybody thinks the same way as you. What other people want to do with their money on their cars is their business. One of the great things about the CAC is the attitude of the people. Don't ruin it
peace Bud

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Hey Mikey, back off. Not everybody thinks the same way as you. What other people want to do with their money on their cars is their business. One of the great things about the CAC is the attitude of the people. Don't ruin it
peace Bud

Back off from what - offering an dissenting opinion to a legitimate question? Not likely.

You're right, people can do whatever they want with their money and their car. Nobody here told the poster that he can't do as he likes- including me.

If someone wants to swap things because they like the looks, that's fine. I (as always) challenge the idea of changing stuff on the car simply because Summit or Jegs or Pimp My Ride says it 'works better.'

Did anyone attack the poster personally? No.

Was the original poster offended- not to my knowledge. In fact, he thanked everyone for their answers and probably got more technical pros/cons than he bargained for.

Did I get offended when nobody answered my question - no.

Just as important as people's attitudes here is the ability to speak freely- whether people end up agreeing or disagreeing. Sounds like you want to limit open discussion - or maybe just want to see answers that agree with your own opinion.

Peace Coors.

 

[brusso]

rgt + Mikey,

I think that you both had/have the best intentions with your opinions. I don't think that anyone was offended either. I know I've gotten good dope from both of your post in the past.

 

[AUSSIEVETTEMAN]

Mallory....there is that word again.

I just got rid of that word in the engine bay and the crap part that was attached to it!

I agree with improving and modifying your own Vette, that is what the Corvette is all about and history has shown that GM intended the Vette to be modified by their owners. Proof is shown here by GM offering racing parts or upgrades as RPO's.
I have to agree with Mickey, sometimes the correct parts work better, my change from a Mallory Dizzy to a stock HEI proved this in the increase in power, cause the old girl was finally firing properly.
I ask the same Q's about why some of the guys here in Australia opt for a Holley Carb over a Quadrajet. Why, Why, Why?
I ditched a 650 Holley for a 795 Quaddy and noticed a big difference in power. Bigger airflow mixed with the right amount of fuel = HP.

Hey, maybe GM was onto something when they installed a 795 CFm carb onto my Vette!


Tony

 

[rgtrough]

Misunderstood

Hey Mikey, I must of taken your comments wrong. I thought you were one of those guys that think if it's not original it is wrong.
Please forgive my statements. peace Bud