AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => Fuel Systems. => Topic started by: standup650 on February 26, 2012, 11:55:35 AM

Title: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: standup650 on February 26, 2012, 11:55:35 AM
Has any one installed a inline electric fuel pump on the 258 with carb and return line still there? If so what did you use and how is it working? thanks
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: carnuck on February 26, 2012, 01:28:24 PM
Problem always seems to be too much pressure and it causes the float to stick open, wasting fuel unless you put on a pressure regulator
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: standup650 on February 26, 2012, 02:28:42 PM
even with the return line line hooked up? and thanks.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: carnuck on February 26, 2012, 04:19:55 PM
4.5 is perfect with the return hooked up. The Motorcraft will take slightly higher pressure, but not the Carters.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: mudkicker715 on February 26, 2012, 04:40:38 PM
My stroker with a mc2150 has used an electric pump for years. it has no fuel return line.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: standup650 on February 26, 2012, 07:52:58 PM
Thank you all for the info! I went to the "zone" today and they have mr.gasket 4-7psi @ 35GPH. I'm running the carter so the 4-7psi one set to 4psi should work for me right? It's autozone part # 125 but I'm not sure if those pumps are any good. You know get 2 so you have a backup. I wonder if i should get an adjustable regulator anyways? Thank You again for all the help! I love this forum!!
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: carnuck on February 26, 2012, 11:03:23 PM
I run them first and add a regulator if there is a problem.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: standup650 on February 27, 2012, 08:49:58 AM
well i will give it a shot then. thankyou very very much for your help!!!!
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: GRONK on February 27, 2012, 09:56:57 AM
The return line is cool but not necessary.  You can run up to 6-7psi w/ a Motorcraft but I wouldn't go any higher than 4.5 w/ a Carter and 3.5 if you have a Webber.  You can egt a 7psi pump and run a simple regulator.  If running a Carter or a Webber, add the regulator to the mix.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 09:58:14 AM
What kind of pump do the Eagles have on them stock? I don't seem to be getting fuel to the carb after the swap. I pump the pedal while cranking and even hold the throttle wide open while cranking and get nothing.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: thereverendbill on March 30, 2012, 12:29:57 PM
Quote from: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 09:58:14 AM
What kind of pump do the Eagles have on them stock? I don't seem to be getting fuel to the carb after the swap. I pump the pedal while cranking and even hold the throttle wide open while cranking and get nothing.
are you running a return line?  if you are, do you have the fuel filter clocked correctly?
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 01:12:39 PM
Yes, I do have a fuel return line. I changed the filter when I did the carb swap so I know it is new. I have no idea how old the other one was.

Fuel in to the single port on one side, fuel out on the larger port closet to center. The other port goes to fuel return, which is the smaller and closest to the edge port.

I thought about removing the line to see if gas will spew out when I crank it but I don't have extra hands so that is a dangerous proposition.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: thereverendbill on March 30, 2012, 01:18:02 PM
Quote from: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 01:12:39 PM
Yes, I do have a fuel return line. I changed the filter when I did the carb swap so I know it is new. I have no idea how old the other one was.

Fuel in to the single port on one side, fuel out on the larger port closet to center. The other port goes to fuel return, which is the smaller and closest to the edge port.

I thought about removing the line to see if gas will spew out when I crank it but I don't have extra hands so that is a dangerous proposition.
take an empty soda bottle and stick the line to the carb in it so that you are free to crank.  after a few min check the soda bottle and if there is fuel in it then you are getting fuel from the fuel pump.  if you are not getting any fuel in the bottle check your oil level and make sure it has not increased and that it does not smell like fuel, I have had in the past (non AMC) where the fuel pump was boogered up and was pumping fuel into my crankcase
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: eaglefreek on March 30, 2012, 02:06:43 PM
They use a mechanical pump that bolts to the passenger side of the block, just in front of the distributor. Pull your dipstick and smell the oil and see if it smells like gas. If it has a ruptured diaphragm, it could fill the crank case with fuel which could be dangerous and wipe out bearings also.  Also you may need to prime the engine by pouring a little fuel down the throat of the carb.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: BenM on March 30, 2012, 02:43:45 PM
The mechanical pump is a very good system for a carburetor, and it should self-prime. If it doesn't and you have at least a half-tank of fuel then I'd start worrying about blockages or leaks.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 04:36:54 PM
Just tried it again and got nothing. I took the fuel line apart where it goes into the filter and had my daughter crank the engine while I held a dish to catch any fuel. The fuel guage shows I have a quarter tank. It would be a little old (last year) but right now I'm not getting anything to the carb.

I'll check the oil level and smell it for fuel.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 06:49:43 PM
Checked the oil and it is good to go. No fuel leaking into the crankcase. I also put 2.5 gallons into the tank to bring the level up a little. Still no start and don't seem to be getting fuel.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: vangremlin on March 31, 2012, 09:29:52 AM
Quote from: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 06:49:43 PM
Checked the oil and it is good to go. No fuel leaking into the crankcase. I also put 2.5 gallons into the tank to bring the level up a little. Still no start and don't seem to be getting fuel.

Make sure the return port is lined up at the top (12 o'clock position).  Otherwise the fuel enters the filter and goes right back to the tank.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: DaemonForce on March 31, 2012, 09:35:01 AM
Quote from: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 09:58:14 AM
What kind of pump do the Eagles have on them stock? I don't seem to be getting fuel to the carb after the swap. I pump the pedal while cranking and even hold the throttle wide open while cranking and get nothing.
I replaced my fuel pump years ago in order to fix a fuel line pressure issue. Old pump was an Airtex. Current one is Carter. Both mechanical.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: BenM on April 02, 2012, 11:17:35 AM
Quote from: rohnk on March 30, 2012, 06:49:43 PM
Checked the oil and it is good to go. No fuel leaking into the crankcase. I also put 2.5 gallons into the tank to bring the level up a little. Still no start and don't seem to be getting fuel.

You could try a gas can and a rubber hose to the inlet of pump to make sure that the problem is not the lines. It should easily pull some gas out after a couple of cranks.
Title: Re: Electric Fuel Pump?
Post by: rohnk on April 02, 2012, 12:08:03 PM
I was able to get it going finally. I had to get a new battery so I could crank the engine long enough for the pump to start drawing fuel from the tank. I also put a little fuel in the carb so it would start.