So I'm about to send my daughter off in my '93 LT1. The car has 80,000 miles and has been carefully maintained. I don't run the gas tank down low, and I've replaced filters regularly. I just replaced the water pump and distributor,battery and tires.I'm wondering if I should replace the perfectly functioning fuel pump before the car leaves my immediate vicinity to help insure that a pump failure doesn't occur.I would do the job from the top of the tank,so excess labor is not a concern. Any feed back on the longevity of these fuel pumps from personal experience would be appreciated.Thanks.

 

I don't think I'd worry about it.
I would however cut the access hole so it's only like a 1-2 hour job for some mechanic if it ever does fail. Without the access hole its a HUGE job.

BTW, the fuel pump is contained in a plastic 'bucket' that is kept filled by the return line, this helps with longevity alot (unless the bastard '93 are different).

 

I have a '93. if the F.P. has never been changed I would replace it. The cost of a replacement pump compared to a "tow" or the diagnostic time that many garages now charge, all will cost nearly as much as replacing it now. Like the previous poster said, roll back the carpet and cut the hole, you may have to enlarge it once cut,. you have only 1-2" of space on top of the tank to the metal shelf, so be careful. A piece of, say, 16 gauge sheet metal about 10 X12" should be large enough to cover a hole say, 8 X 10". use some weather proof caulk to seal with some #10 -3/4" long sheet metal screws to secure it.

 

I see no reason to touch a fuel pump with only 80k on it unless there is an issue, even if it is almosty 20 years old.
I think the odds of causing yourself headaches are bigger from messing with it than
of it going bad at such low mileage.

 

I wouldn't touch it. There is just as much risk by doing a repair that does not hold up or you get a bad pump. Just make sure she is aware how the gas gauge more quickly goes down after you reach 3/4 tank.

http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#fuel_gauge

 

Thanks for all the information.I let my daughter start driving this car when she turned 16 and the car was 6 years old.She drives it easy, and lets me know of any potential problems in plenty of time (unlike my wife with her own car who will let the engine fall out and then complain of a funny noise that happened before the car stopped).I've replaced the most notorious parts I know of.I've cut out the deck for a possible fuel pump job in the future, but will leave the pump alone for now.I trust this car to keep my kid safe while she's away from dad's roadside service for awhile.Thanks again.