Mechanical or Electric - What to do, what to do?

[revkev5064]

This is my first post and I really appreciate all of the great information and people here.

I recently purchased an 89 Sunbird with a 4.3 that has a cracked block. In 1989 this engine had a mechanical fuel pump. Looking around, I have found a few good blocks and realized that some of the newer ones do not have the mechanical fuel pump location cast into the block.

So, my question is this. Should I keep looking for a block that has mechanical fuel pump or upgrade it to an electric fuel pump? Being on a budget, I intend to use the intake and carb that I currently have and, I am a bit obsessive about things and so if I decide to go with an electric fuel pump, I will want to buy the original OMC plumbing parts and wiring.

What to do, what to do?

Thank you,
Kevin

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Mechanical or Electric - What to do, what to do?

Others who know more than I do will be along shortly. If I recall any electric fuel pump that delivers 6 lbs of pressure will work.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Mechanical or Electric - What to do, what to do?

Others who know more than I do will be along shortly. If I recall any electric fuel pump that delivers 6 lbs of pressure will work.

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!!



True statement.........however, You may not be able to buy OEM, OMC stuff (OMC doesn't exist you know.....:joyous

For safety and USCG compliance, be sure you use a SAE rated J1171 (Marine-type) pump............ and connect it electrically using a system that will only allow the pump to operate when cranking and while running when oil pressure is present.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[revkev5064]

Re: Mechanical or Electric - What to do, what to do?

Thank you for your responses.

Rick, you are right, I won't be able to get OMC stuff. What I meant is I want it to be as close to OMC design as possible like the wiring for cranking pressure and all of that. I could just wire a fuel pump up and run with it but would never do it. So, as I look at the price of that stuff, it looks like it might be most economical to sell the block that I have now without the fuel pump hole and get an older block.

I guess this is another one of those cases where I should have done my research before buying parts. I have a great block and paid good money for it but might not be the right solution.

Thanks again.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Mechanical or Electric - What to do, what to do?

There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying ANY (good) marine type electric fuel pump DESIGNED to work with a carburetor.

Summit has them as does others.

Finding and wiring in an oil pressure switch control is not rocket surgery and there's fairly easy ways to do it. I have considered changing mine but the mechanical pump is pretty cheap to buy for a 454 and it's very reliable.

If you have a good block to work with and you have to change to an electric pump you'll have no problem finding what you need to make it work.

 

[nedc]

Re: Mechanical or Electric - What to do, what to do?

i was in the same boat so to speak when i went looking for a block to replace the cracked one on my OMC Ford 2.3. The problem is that blocks that have the cutout for mech pumps are old and getting hard to find. I found a good block (whole engine really) with no cutout for $100 that I couldn't pass up. Running an electric pump, so far so good.