All Small Six Fuel pump madness

This relates to all small sixes
marquis83

marquis83

Well-known member
Long time no see

Back again as the marquis has once again decided to stop running.

Anyone seeing issues with new mechanical fuel pumps being dead straight out of the box?

My car died on the way home from buying groceries, did some quick troubleshooting to see no fuel getting to carb.

Ran to O'reillys and bought the pump they had in stock for $40.

Put it on the car, still nothing.

Got the car towed home. Poured gas in the carb. It runs.

Order a carter pump from rock auto for $20.

Same problem. No fuel getting to carb.

I tried blowing air through the fuel line and got gas to overflow from the gas tank, so no clog.

At this point I could have bought an edelbrock electric inline pump.

So do I play the fuel pump lottery again and buy one from napa?
 
It’s not surprising. Mechanical pumps seem to have gone to crap these days. And, when they work, they seem to put out too much fuel pressure. It looks like electric is turning into the way to go.
 
I'd be looking for blockage in the line or a clogged filter. The post above will help isolate the problem area.
 
Yeah, the filter is new and I can suck up gas through the fuel line up to the carb with my mouth.
 
marquis83 said:
Long time no see

Back again as the marquis has once again decided to stop running.

Anyone seeing issues with new mechanical fuel pumps being dead straight out of the box?

My car died on the way home from buying groceries, did some quick troubleshooting to see no fuel getting to carb.

Ran to O'reillys and bought the pump they had in stock for $40.

Put it on the car, still nothing.

Got the car towed home. Poured gas in the carb. It runs.

Order a carter pump from rock auto for $20.

Same problem. No fuel getting to carb.

I tried blowing air through the fuel line and got gas to overflow from the gas tank, so no clog.

At this point I could have bought an edelbrock electric inline pump.

So do I play the fuel pump lottery again and buy one from napa?
Click to expand...
Today’s mechanical fuel pumps have a very high failure rate right out of the box. And when some members finally have one that works, a good amount of the pumps will live a very short life. At times it might be a couple days before some fail. I’ve given up on mechanical pumps about ten years ago. Been running electric pumps for years and they’ve proven to be more reliable than mechanical pumps. Plus there are benefits of using electric pumps. Once a person recognizes the benefits, there is a good chance that they will not go back to a mechanical pump.
 
Yep, I just tried the warranty replacement for the rock auto pump. Another failure.

The last good one I received came march of this year, it only lasted till September.

Anyone have recommendations for e-pump? I see the edelbrock in stock locally but its $70
 
63 Sprint said:
Today’s mechanical fuel pumps have a very high failure rate right out of the box. And when some members finally have one that works, a good amount of the pumps will live a very short life. At times it might be a couple days before some fail. I’ve given up on mechanical pumps about ten years ago. Been running electric pumps for years and they’ve proven to be more reliable than mechanical pumps. Plus there are benefits of using electric pumps. Once a person recognizes the benefits, there is a good chance that they will not go back to a mechanical pump.
Click to expand...

I started using electric pumps in the mid-80’s with my Vega with a SBC-350, then a done out 1976 Mazda RX4 and before the 66 Mustang I had a hot rodded 1974 BMW 2002. Each one was outfitted with a Carter electric fuel pump. Turn the key, hear it spin up to pressure and off you go. My 66 Mustang is the only car I’ve had since the early 80’s with a mechanical pump. If it goes south and if I haven’t swapped on fuel injection by then, it’ll get a Carter too.
 
I’ve used many Facet brand cube pumps for years on 2.5kw through 30kw + commercial/industrial standby generators and CHP units and never had one go bad. They are simple, reliable, cheap and made in the USA.

I’m not a 100% sure but, I believe their rotary pumps are a Carter design.

Open and read this link first:

Electric Fuel Pumps | Motor Components, LLC

Motor Components, LLC is your destination for ordering electronic fuel pumps. We’re located in Elmira, NY, and ship nationwide. Order today!
facet-purolator.com facet-purolator.com

Where to Buy:

Buy Fuel Pumps & Accessories | Motor Components, LLC

Looking to buy fuel pumps & accessories? Motor Components, LLC has all the information to find the right pumps & parts for you. Call us today to place an order.
facet-purolator.com facet-purolator.com

Pegasus Auto Racing will sell to the public:

Facet Electrical Fuel Pumps - Pegasus Auto Racing

We have been selling Facet electric fuel pumps to racers since the 1980s. We can usually cross-reference your part number to the correct pump.
www.pegasusautoracing.com www.pegasusautoracing.com
 
Last edited:
I would always install a return regulator with an electric pump. Pick a pump with slightly more flow and pressure than you need and use the regulator to control the pressure. This will give you a steady pressure and by always returning fuel to the tank it keeps the gas to the carb cool, no vapor lock. Always put the regulator close to the carb. I have pictures of this in my build threads in the truck stop.
 
On a fuel system for automotive use that sees high under hood temperatures, I would recommend a regulator with a return. I’ve posted about this in one of my threads.

On power equipment that has lots of air circulation. Lots of times a regulator and return is not required.

With the Facet Cube Fuel pumps, (and the same for any pump) the pump has to be matched with the recommended fuel rate and fuel pressure on an engine fuel system. Carbureted industrial engines do not need as precise fuel pressure as an EFI system. As long as the recommended fuel pressure or a specific carburetor is within spec. and fuel rate for the engine is in spec. a fuel pump should do its job.
 
Last edited:
“...dead straight out of the box...” several threads on here w/sim complaints (use Search function).

No probs w/my Delphi.
One is using the Tech Archive mentioned Carter Street Strip.
I Do Not like elec pumps due to increase fire hazzard over the mechanical.

Tech Archive
 
Last edited:
Mechanical fuel pumps are prone to leaking fuel. I would say that is a fire hazard on top of being more prone to failure than an electric fuel pump.

About modifying a Chevy, Carter Super Strip pump to fit to a Ford Inline. I would not recommend it due to possible liability concerns.

I Love electric fuel pumps due to reliability, functionality and safety.

Just make sure that the installer knows what he she is doing. I don’t believe in taking shortcuts.
 
Last edited:
DON said:
Which Carter pump do you use?
Click to expand...
I don’t recall the model number but after a Quick Look, I’d say the ones that look,like the one I used are the P4594 and the P4070. I didn’t use a pressure regulator on them but seeing that they spec out to 5 - 9 lbs, I’d put a regulator on for the Weber. I never used a regulator on my cars with the Holley 4 Barrel, or the Weber on my BMW 2002 but it sure wouldn’t hurt. The last time I bought a Carter fuel pump they cost about a third of what they cost today. Worth it though. They never failed me.
 
Back to mechanical fuel pumps:

Just read a service bulletin from Carter Pumps and would like to share it here. It might explain why there are so many mechanical pump failures.
IMG_0034.jpeg



Now take a look at a Carter fuel pump for a 1966 -1967 Mustang. I believe the 1968 -1970 Mustang pump is the same part number that is listed at Summit.
IMG_0035.jpegIMG_0038.jpeg


Please go back and read the service bulletin for the Carter M6737 pump and look at the design features of the pump.

You will notice that the pump housings look similar to the Carter mechanical pump for Ford inline six engines.

Could it be that the Carter pumps for the Ford engines share some of the same internal components?
If this is the case, this could be the reason why members are experiencing so many mechanical pump failures.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
200ci Autolite 1100 bowl empty after several days
Replies
16
Views
822
drag-200stang
drag-200stang
J
All Small Six Fuel delivery issue in gear
Replies
4
Views
441
drag-200stang
drag-200stang
Aeroneous
All Small Six 250 Won't Stay Running
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
powerband
powerband
M
All Small Six Fuel pump issues
Replies
6
Views
1K
lostintime
L
W
All Small Six Carb help (autolite 1100)
Replies
12
Views
646
alwill923
A
Back
Top