Electric Fuel Pump

[1978len]

Advantages of replacing the mechanical fuel pump with an electric fuel pump.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

At the risk of getting myself thrown off this forum in disgrace, my answer for a carburetor car would be "none". Fuel injection or an aftermarket carburetor setup would be a different story, but if you're asking about your '78, I'm assuming neither of these is the case. One could argue that an electric fuel pump would fill up the carb float bowl soon after you turn on the ignition, but if your float bowl is going dry after a few days or weeks or the fuel is draining back to the tank with a mechanical fuel pump, there are other issues going on that need to be fixed. You can adjust the pressure with some electric fuel pumps, but on the other hand, I've never had an issue with the pressure from a (properly working) mechanical pump and so I don't see what the advantage of varying the pressure would be. Again, I'm assuming a stock setup and not a heavily modified engine.

One huge disadvantage of an electric fuel pump as I see it: The pump will continue to operate as long as the ignition key is in the "run" position. If you develop a fuel leak, either through an accident or a unknown slow leak developing in a hose or fuel line somewhere, the fuel pump will continue to operate until the tank has been emptied. In other words, an electric fuel pump doesn't know whether it's merrily pumping fuel into the engine and all is well, or that fuel is developing into a large puddle under the car. Major safety concern in my opinion. To resolve this, cars with electric fuel pumps almost always have some sort of inertial cutoff switch to shut them off should the car be in an accident.

OK, folks, flame away!

-Bryan

[tima01864]

Sounds Logical to me Bryan, Just something else to worry about.

[MattVAS]

The electric pump is the way to go, as it give the proper PSI all the time. And of course all the other benefits listed previously.

If you are worried about a cut off system: Install a inertia switch. People do this all the time, and there was some Ford unit people were often using out of salvage yards. Sadly I do not remember what switch it was.

[tima01864]

There is a post here that details the inertia switch http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... a+shut+off

[SteinOnkel]

Pro Tip:

Plumb in a fuel filter from a 1978 Jeep Wagoneer after the pump. Costs $5.99 and it has a built in pressure regulator that puts out exactly 3,5 PSI. With that you can run your mechanical fuel pump all day.

I like the simplicity of not having to pfaff about with wiring in another circuit on a car that came from the factory with questionable wiring.