I have an 88' carbureted camaro with the stock electric in-tank fuel pump. The pump has been making some loud noise and loosing fuel pressure. Could i just add a mechanical pump without changing the electric one? I'm just concerned about the mechanical pump being able to pull fuel through the electric. Any thoughts?

 

In order to power a mechanical pump mounted on the block, an extra lobe is needed on your cam to push a push rod that powers the pump. I wouldn't think that a stock FI engine would come with that extra lobe on your cam because there is obviously no need for it. Even if you installed a mechanical fuel pump, you will probably need a new cam and a pushrod.

I am not too familar with the in-tank fuel pumps, so I don't know how it looks on the passanger side of your block where a mechanical pump goes. It may just have a block off plate or nothing at all.

It sounds to me like you are trying to save a bucks by considering other options (which is not always bad). Switching to a mechanical will probably more of a pain in the *** then anything.

Nick

 

This isn't the stock engine in the car. I just built the engine in the spring and the cam has the lobe for the pump on it. Also there is a block off plate on it right now. I also took the computer out of the car, so i had to wire the fuel pump up to a switch after i did that. The thing is this in-tank pump is not very old, but it loses pressure after i drive for a while. I just want to know if the mechanical pump will be able to pull fuel through the electric. I've changed that in tank pump before and i really don't want to go through that again if i don't have to.

 

Well, that certianly clears up the confusion. I was thrown off when I read that you have a carbureted engine with an in-tank pump.

I think mechanically, It would work just fine. Not too sure if it would pump through the electric in the tank though. You can always give it a shot. All your looking at is a mech pump (80 bucks for a good one), a gasket and 2 bolts.

Whats the situation with your fuel line?? Are you going to have to re-route it to the mech pump and to the carb (if you were to go through with it)??

Nick