78 Electric fuel pump alternatives FAQ

[75 Westy FI noob]

[germansupplyscott]

[SGKent]

hat Scott said, the long hoses forward of the engine bay are under the bus, same as the fuel pump you replaced. Make sure that the tank is clean too if there was any rust or debris beyond normal in the fuel filter.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[75 Westy FI noob]

ha! glad I made you chuckle with that. i've seen 'faery circle' on ticktok lately with some mushroom foraging videos and i like that celtic spelling too.

i changed the pump and got a big leak at the regulator. changed that hose and immediately got a leak at #2 injector... "ok i get it. they weren't joking." lol

thanks for the reply. i got to looking at the fp regulator on the firewall and my knees went weak. those hoses are hard to get on especially in small spaces.
trying to decide to replace it now or later. they're not cheap!

[75 Westy FI noob]

[germansupplyscott]

[75 Westy FI noob]

Thanks SL …

Been pondering this job but never considered removing the intake tubes. I was going to remove the injectors with the rail…but that looks like it might be useful method to keep it structured.

Any suggestions on the return hose behind the regulator? Does the starter have to come out? (Auto transmission)

I started her up for second time yesterday… line from pump spraying fuel on the ground like crazy so I gotta get them all replaced.

[germansupplyscott]

Starter doesn't have to come out but it's tight above the starter for that line. Battery disconnected for sure, and I recommend completely draining the fuel tank before starting the job of replacing the fuel lines.
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SL

[75 Westy FI noob]

Just crawled under there…
Definitely cant be done on my bus with the starter in.
Heater tubes block going in from side.

So… starter removal, leave it alone, or pull it all out.
I have to choose. And since i dont have a shop, prob option 1 or 2.

[75 Westy FI noob]

Happy New Year !

Had plenty of good weather, but not quite enough fuel line to finish.
But I got a good chunk of it done.

And yes, they’re upside down in that pic. :,))

[75 Westy FI noob]

[SGKent]

I don't recall removing the starter when I did my 1977 but there are bolts and things up there that are easier to reach with the starter removed.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[busdaddy]

Removing the accordian tube would help.
Jack up the bus and put it on 6 ton jack stands under the torsion tubes (chock the front wheels too), then slide under from the rear with your feet sticking out under the bumper, work a trouble light up on top of the transmission from the left side and all of a sudden everything will be revealed.

Disconnect the battery, drain the gas and wear safety goggles for this job.
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[SGKent]

[75 Westy FI noob]

Ok I will have another look as prescribed.

I’d come in from the side and it seemed totally impossoarus.

Thanks very much. Important as you know and I’ve learned (as these hoses keep spontaneously turning into sprinkler systems)

[metahacker]

anyone ever try the porsche pump? aka the "bosch 044" - looks very similar to the OE bosch EFI pump ive dealt with on bays (is it the same - perhaps with just different fittings attached?)

i know what you're thinking - "sounds expensive" - but the bosch 044 is probably one of the most "knocked off" auto part in the world .. there are a million (sometimes very cheap) copies, including some napa branded versions, if i'm not mistaken.

typical copy:

on a related note, has anyone ever tried the rubber form-fitting encapsulation case they use to make them quieter? :)

i never noticed how loud they were until i had the pleasure of driving a Bus with a Subaru engine that idled like the engine was off.
i don't hear any engine, but i hear plenty of fuel pump, surprisingly.

anyone do anything to theirs to quiet it down? wrapping in foam, silicone, dynamat, etc.
i do wonder about the specific acoustics of those porsche accordion rubber bits

[raygreenwood]

The Bosch 044...was for the longest time....my "go to" pump for any fuel injection system that was being highly tuned.

I spent years working with CIS....which is what it was designed for. Keep a couple of things in mind though

1. The 044 is a roller cell pump whose cells and check valve system are designed for both high pressure....and high VOLUME at that pressure rating. It was for Bosch high pressure (automotive) injection.....and ran the gamut from four cylinders to v-12's....with a requirement to put out roughly 2L per minute WHILE maintaining ~75-80 psi. It's no load rating is ~ 3.3 liters per minute or 200 liters per hour.

The problem is that to meet that requirement....they do not self prime well unless they have a feeder pump or a dedicated gravity sump around the pump.
Yes, when using an 044 with half that pressure and volume requirement..."most" of the time you can get away with it bit not always depending on your tank to pump relationship.

2. With that last information in mind.....the filter on 044 pumps should be on the high pressure side after the pump with a high volume dedicated pre-strainer on the inlet side. It can work through a filter on the load side no problem but can have issues aucking through a filter to feed itself.
There are plenty of high pressure filters out there.

3. If you are buying a NON-Bosch branded 044 "clone" or knock off....and getting a good price because of it.....more power to ya!

However.....BEWARE.....over the past 10 years ....and there is tons of information on the web ....just Google "Bosch 044 counterfeit"....a huge portion of the Bosch branded 044 pumps are counterfeit. Some work well...many do not. Too many pumps that leak out of the box, do not make required pressure or volume, have incorrect fitting sizes or have a short life.

If you find a Bosch 044 that is NOT in an original NOS box and is not obviously NOS...and it says "Made in Germany".....it's counterfeit.

All of the Bosch 044 pumps made in about the past 20 years are made in the Czech Republic. 7-8 years ago we were seeing new 044 pumps in modern Bosch boxes....even with the correct hologram seals on the box....that were counterfeit.

Ray

[ToolBox]

[75 Westy FI noob]

New seals in there.
Seems to be a smidge large but using them anyway.

I didnt put a clamp on the bottoms.
Probably get the chance to do it again.



Got my tanks fuel lines done today.
Removing the accordian tube and getting All the way under did the trick.

Claustrophobic… glad its done!!
Right over all the starter wires. Bad place to have a leak!

Thanks for the guidance!
Starter stayed put.