I killed my in tank pump, so I decided to go with a Holley Mechanical race pump, since Im carbed anyway.

What Im confused about is how do I make a pick-up for the gas tank. Ive heard guys talk about it and say they just stuck a tube or something in the tank, but thats kinda vauge.

Anyone ever made this conversion and know how to make the pick up? Does anyone sell an already made set-up?

 

id love to know this as well

 

You have to drop the tank. Pull out the old fuel pump and hanger, and remove the pump. Connect a piece of fuel line to where the pump output hooked up, and run it down to the bottom of the hanger. Use a zip-tie or something similar to hold it in place...be careful not to pinch it shut. Put the hanger assembly back in the tank. That's it.

The only bad thing is there's no screen on the pickup tube. Change the fuel filter regularly and it shouldn't be a problem.

 

my buddy with a firebird said dropping the fuel tank is a MAJOR PITA, im just gonna buy a 3 port fuel regulator to drop the pressure, same cost as a mech pump, but less hassle for install id THINK....sounds like im gonna have a project on my hand when my inline does die tho

 

I have that 3 port regulator. It is much easier, although your supposed to remove your pump in the tank anyway, make some adjustments to it, and put it back in via the instructions that come with the pump


However my Pump in my tank died. Mechanical pumps are much cheaper and are just as good for my set-up. Im buying a pump that puts out 140 gph at 7-9 psi, but requires a regulator. Which I already have

 

bloody hell.....oh well...my #1 concern is that the 350 runs and i dont' throw a bearing or some crap like that....if the 350 runs strong with no problems.....a dead fuel pump would be welcome and not a big thing

 

I chose to go the regulator route also. It's been 3 years and some change since I went from TBI to carb and I'm still running the TBI in-tank pump with a Holley 3-port regulator. I set up one of the ports as a restricted return line and it's done wonders for pump life.

When it finally goes I'll probably go for an inline pump mounted about where the fuel filter currently is. I'm not looking forward to dropping the tank though (did it once on an '82 Z pace car and it's a major PITA.)

 

I just picked up my mallory 3 port reg, nothing in the instructions about tampering with the inline, just says to to adjust and how to set GPH.....some fittings and fuel line and it should be relatively easy.....now I just gotta figure out how I'm gonna set up my mechanical choke...

 

Ill be damned if mine didnt say to. Ill go outside and read them later so I know Im not making things up. Then Ill scan it for you if I'm right. Not saying you didnt read yours thoroughly I just want to prove my own sanity

Like I said, the race pump Im gonna use requires a regulator anyway, so Ive already got that covered.

The things that concerns me is it was my understanding that the fuel going through the pump is what lubricated it. Thus why mine died when I tried to start teh car when the tank was dry. Anyway, whats to say my new pump wont die the same way, if theres no gas in it to lubricate it when I first install it. Cause the gas has to traverse the entire length of the car to get to the pump?

Any thoughts on this?

 

yea i just saw it, i gotta replace that bypass spring or whatever in the inline...is says suggested...what does that do?

does the inline have to come out of the fuel tank to do that? bleh....if it has to be done it has to be done....

 

Well when I was first asking around about getting a new pump or using the regulator. I got several reports of fuel pressure spiking way up even with the regulator, and that I should just get a new fuel pump and be done with it. However I kinda have a feeling that if you do what they tell you to in the directions it will put an end to that pressure spiking problem.

I would think alot of people just blow it off, and say the rewards for taking out that little spring cant be worth the work it was to get to it. I hadnt done it to mine yet. I was planning on it but now its dead anyway so I dont suppose it matters

 

i have no idea how hard it is to drop the gas container....i normally go through 2/3 of a tank, i filled up like 5 days ago, i still have 3/4 of a tank, so of course the day before my swap i have a tank full of 87 octane gas, not only do i need to run 93 with the new 350 but apparently i have to drop a near full gas container...what is it, like 9lbs per gallon...great....i plan on this coming down to the wire time wise....as long as my engine runs fine, and the swap goes smooth, i should have enough time....

i don't want to get rid of the inline because i plan to go back to EFI in the future when i can afford it....if holley makes a stealthram intake that will bolt onto vortec heads i could reuse my TPI off my 305...but of course not

 

I was just reading the previous posts and just thought you might want another viewpoint . I just finished a swap where I ran a aftermarket (holly red ) pump out on the fenderwell of a previously FI car I needed to get this vehicle running quickly so I thought what the heck I did not do anything but disconnect the lead to the in tank pump and run a line to the holly pump and I know it is NOT recomended to have one of these pumps pull fuel ( they push better ) but it works and maintains good fuel pressure to the carb 6 psi unregulated and the car has great performance . so if need be you can in some cases pull fuel through the in tank pump without removing it , which in the case of converting back in the future would only require removal once ... just a thought .

 

So I can just hook the lines to the mechanical pump, leave the in tank pump just how it is, and use that as the pick-up ant it will work?

 

IT worked on the car I did( 88 IROC ) although it might not if you had a catostrophic type failure , or some sort of restriction .. what I would do is just dissconnect the in tank pump power and hook it up what can it hurt its ALOT easier than droppin the tank !