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Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:09 am

I am installing an electric fuel pump on my '72 super. If you've installed one, where did you install it and where did you run your wires?

My gas tank has to come out for restoation, so Ifigured I would mount the pump on the frame head while the tank was out.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:17 am

I mounted mine up front under the tank where the metal fuel line goes into the frame.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:28 am

That's what I have in mind. Where did you run your wiring?

Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:27 pm

When you install these electric fuel pumps, so you remove the engine driven pump? What is the primary reason for adding the electric fuel pump?

Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:46 pm

Quote: Where did you run your wiring?

Thru a fuelpump kill relay (wired to the oil press light) installed at the fuse panel area, I ran the wire in some splitloom across the dash to tha pass side then down to the spare tire well where I drilled a hole and ran the wires thru a rubber grommet.

Quote: When you install these electric fuel pumps, so you remove the engine driven pump? What is the primary reason for adding the electric fuel pump?

Yes, you remove the mechanical pump and install a block off plate.

It removes the mechanical load from the engine, frees up space in the engine compartment. There are many ways for a mechanical pump to fail, many of them dangerous. Electrics can also pump more fuel for HI Performance motors and they can be switched off for added theft protection. I'm sure there are several other reasons depending upon your application.

Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:48 pm

Where can I buy these items to convert my '70 bug?

Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:16 pm

pandanom wrote: Where can I buy these items to convert my '70 bug?

It's not exactly a kit so your options are wide and vary greatly. Any automotive store will carry a variety of fuel pumps, some cheaper than others. You're looking for one labeled as "universal", otherwise it will be meant to be put in the fuel tank. You can also get a relay there, costs about $5.

Bugorsh wrote: It removes the mechanical load from the engine, frees up space in the engine compartment. There are many ways for a mechanical pump to fail, many of them dangerous.

They really aren't bad like he's describing, they put very little load on the engine and don't take up a great amount of space (I bet an electric pump takes more physical room with all it's wiring than does a mechanical pump.) They ARE however, limited in their output. While a carb'd engine usually only needs 1.5-5 psi, that's about how much a properly operating mechanical pump will put out. Fuel injection requires pressure much, much higher than that (up to 50 psi in stock use) and that is why they were used since the beginning of fuel injection.

The biggest problem with a mechanical pump is the possiblity of fuel leaking into the oil sump (not a problem when maintained) and oil leaking from the base of the pump (also not a problem, until these things are neglected.) But, as we know, most cars are often very neglected and only maintained when absolutely necessary.

Electric fuel pumps were orginally not very efficient or reliable, but with them being used for most every vehicle sold new since about 1980, they've become very reliable although still expensive. While the cheapest electric would cost about $50, a mechanical pump can be had for around $15. There is also the advantage that some mechanical pumps can be rebuilt (as is the case with older VW pumps.)

Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:57 pm

pandanom wrote: What is the primary reason for adding the electric fuel pump?
My personal reason is that this is the only way to avoid having a fuel line right over the distributor.

Max

Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:58 pm

I did not mean to make the stock ones sound bad and I know the load from one would be negligable, he was asking for possible reasons for making the switch and so I threw out everything I could think of.

The carter electric fuel pump seen here http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=577 is a good choice for a bug. It is internaly regulated to 3.5 psi. and comes with a filter. Some of the older stock fuel pumps had a habit of spitting out one of the fuel hose barbs and pumping fuel all over the engine compartment.

With an electric fuel pump relocated away from the engine there are less hoses and connections in the engine compartment to fail and cause problems. The fuel pressure also remains constant instead of variable with rpm. My fuel lines are covered with splitloom for added protection and are tucked neatly behind the fan shroud where they stay out of the way of moving belts and linkage.

Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:54 am

I've been amazed at the electric "facet" style pump I have on my baja bug. I had to put one on years ago when I went to an engine with a FI block. I mounted mine under the gas tank, isolated from the frame by two Rabbit radiator mounts. That pump has like 9 years and 155K on it now and still running good. Never had to use a regulator with it either, as its output wasn't excessive.

mounted on a pair of these:

-Andy

Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:54 am

:lol: :lol: :lol:

in the above pic i see electrical tape and a piece of coat hanger holding things together , why not use zip-ties or something else . instead of just twisting some wire around it .

i always saY FIX IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

i mounted mine with aftermarket oil cooler mouts made by empi . they were 9 bucks , after that i used zip-ties to hold my lines where i wanted them .

also i put a inline fuse , so that if there was a serge or somethying wierd happens then i dont have to worry about frying the pump .

Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:21 am

itsonlysir wrote: :lol: :lol: :lol:

in the above pic i see electrical tape and a piece of coat hanger holding things together , why not use zip-ties or something else . instead of just twisting some wire around it .

The tape that was at the time I took that picture is coming undone, but it's just an overwrap over a secure connection. The baling wire, well I wanted to keep the filter from flopping around excessively. It works and I've found is more reliable than zip ties - I've had too many zip ties break, especially in this dry climate I live in, and especially with the crap quality plastic most zip ties seem to be made out of these days. It's not like I have it running metal-to-metal as I wrapped the brake line before I did that. as stated, it's been going for 9 years and 155,000 miles, and no problems, it may not look that great but it works.