Electric or Mechanical Fuel Pump Decision.

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   64 classic 770 - 287.Managed to break the mechanical fuel pump on my classic 770. My question is weather i should replace the mechanical fuel pump or switch over to an electric fuel pump? What would be some of the benefits to doing the switch? Would those benefits make the switch worth the effort of wiring and installing the electric fuel pump?
(purpose of car: restoration/custom/with attention to detail.) 

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Graphic Spill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/11/2012 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graphic Spill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Electric or Mechanical Fuel Pump Decision. Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 6:07pm
	64 classic 770 - 287. Managed to break the mechanical fuel pump on my classic 770. My question is weather i should replace the mechanical fuel pump or switch over to an electric fuel pump? What would be some of the benefits to doing the switch? Would those benefits make the switch worth the effort of wiring and installing the electric fuel pump? (purpose of car: restoration/custom/with attention to detail.)

tyrodtom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/14/2007 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 2829	Post Options Post Reply Quote tyrodtom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 6:22pm
	Do you already have electric wipers ? I can't think of no advantage to a electric pump on a normal street driven car, other than, if it's installed right, it's less likely to vapor lock in hot weather.
	66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.

BDCVG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: Dec/19/2007 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 303	Post Options Post Reply Quote BDCVG Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 6:30pm
	This is probably personal choice more than anything. I went electric with a relay/harness from Painless wiring. I have the relay run through a basic oil pressure switch. When there is oil pressure power goes to the relay and that turns on the pump. I was experiencing vapor lock and this cured it, but I do have to listen to the constant buzzing coming from the pass. side rear of car.
	1965 Austin-Healey 3000 1970 AMX 390 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 2005 Subaru RS25

Graphic Spill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/11/2012 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graphic Spill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 6:37pm
	My 770 does have electric wipers, but why would that would matter in regards to switching the fuel pump? I was under the impression that one advantage in an electric pump would be to resolve fuel pressure problems common in older cars, which would resolve hesitation when stepping on it. The car is just a cruiser however I would like it to have a little pep which i should get from the 287.

Graphic Spill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/11/2012 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graphic Spill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 6:47pm
	@ BDCVG, Thanks for the response, I had not thought of the annoyance of having to listen to the sound of the electric pump. Perhaps if anyone else reads this and knows of a quiet yet productive pump they could list the brand they used. I found a few youtube videos which instruct the relay connected to the ignition but your thought to use the oil pressure wiring is one I had not thought of.

tyrodtom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/14/2007 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 2829	Post Options Post Reply Quote tyrodtom Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 6:51pm
	If you already have electric wipers, good. Because if they were vacuum wipers, you'd need the vacuum pump on the stock fuel pump. If you've got a hesitation problem, that's probably nothing to do with the fuel pump. The fuel pump just fills the carb float bowl until the inlet needle shuts off the flow, the carb doesn't know or care how that float bowl is filled.
	66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.

Graphic Spill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/11/2012 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graphic Spill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 7:01pm
	@ tyrodtom, Thanks for the info... I think I am leaning towards replacing the mechanical pump and seeing how she runs prior to messing much with installing an electric pump into fuel system. Edited by Graphic Spill - Apr/11/2012 at 7:08pm

BDCVG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: Dec/19/2007 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 303	Post Options Post Reply Quote BDCVG Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 7:55pm
	There probably are quieter pumps out now, I just realized My pump is 20 years old, lol on the bright side it has lasted 20 years.
	1965 Austin-Healey 3000 1970 AMX 390 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 2005 Subaru RS25

FuzzFace2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/05/2007 Location: Connecticut Status: Offline Points: 6383	Post Options Post Reply Quote FuzzFace2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/11/2012 at 10:55pm
	I could not take the sound from the elect. pump if used on a street car, on a race car you dont hear it. I am with TRTom pump would not cause the issue you are having. Now if foot to the board or pulling a long steap hill and it runs (or doen not run) like it is running out of fuel then yes the pump. Dave ----
	75 GremlinX v8 76 GremlinX i6 (sons) 70 Javelin SST 390/4sp (360/5sp now) 70 Javelin 1/4 Drag car 360/auto

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7109	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/12/2012 at 9:54am
	The old style electric pumps were "pulse" pumps that made a rather loud sound. Basically it was a solenoid vibrating and flexing a diaphragm very fast. The newer turbine style pumps don't make as much noise, but make sure you get one designed for a carb. The pump should be as close to the tank under the car as possible, and as low as possible. Electric pumps aren't designed to pull much, they mainly push. You will also need a fuel pressure regulator with an electric pump, and make sure the pump is designed for a carburetor (I know, I mentioned that already!). You might need a return line, but I doubt it. A stock mechanical pump will easily keep up with the demands of the engine. It might start to starve during a 140 mph run, if you get it up that fast and keep it there for 10-15 minutes without killing someone or getting stopped. I dobt the pump would be a problem even then -- the more rpm the engine turns the more fuel it pumps. So you should be good with a stock replacement pump. Electric isn't normally more reliable. It might be if you can't get a good rebuilt replacement. With the age of these cars that could be a problem, but I'd try a stock replacement first.
	Frank Swygert American Motors Cars Magazine www.amc-mag.com