My boat has the 5.0L Mercruiser. It is the 2bbl carburetor variety. The OEM fuel pump is part # 861155A3.
Question: As I always keep a spare electric pump in my older pickup in case its mechanical one failed, would it work in a pinch for my boat?
The specs on the boat's pump is something like 9-10 psi max. The working pressure for a typical (carburetor) car pump is around 7-8 psi if memory serves, so shouldn't it work for the boat? I would have to get creative with some brass fittings of sorts so it would bolt in, but that shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't even need to go through the water separator. Just rig the pump with a filter and fittings - and rubber hose it straight from the fuel tank to the carb. Again - for backup only until I can get a proper replacement.
It hasn't happened to me YET... but I bet some of you have had a perfect fishing-camping trip ruined by a fuel pump that decided to give up.
I often go to a lake in the high mountains, so getting a proper pump replacement would be impossible without traveling at least 3 hours in any direction. A day killer at least - maybe two depending on how cooperative the old pump wants to be in its R&R.
Yea, I kmow.. why not just buy the exact pump for backup? I would, but they aren't exactly cheap. The pump that's on it now could last another 10 years, so that would be an expensive 'what if' sitting in the tool box collecting dust. A standard electric pump is pennies compared to the OEM boat pump.
Thoughts?
Question: As I always keep a spare electric pump in my older pickup in case its mechanical one failed, would it work in a pinch for my boat?
The specs on the boat's pump is something like 9-10 psi max. The working pressure for a typical (carburetor) car pump is around 7-8 psi if memory serves, so shouldn't it work for the boat? I would have to get creative with some brass fittings of sorts so it would bolt in, but that shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't even need to go through the water separator. Just rig the pump with a filter and fittings - and rubber hose it straight from the fuel tank to the carb. Again - for backup only until I can get a proper replacement.
It hasn't happened to me YET... but I bet some of you have had a perfect fishing-camping trip ruined by a fuel pump that decided to give up.
I often go to a lake in the high mountains, so getting a proper pump replacement would be impossible without traveling at least 3 hours in any direction. A day killer at least - maybe two depending on how cooperative the old pump wants to be in its R&R.
Yea, I kmow.. why not just buy the exact pump for backup? I would, but they aren't exactly cheap. The pump that's on it now could last another 10 years, so that would be an expensive 'what if' sitting in the tool box collecting dust. A standard electric pump is pennies compared to the OEM boat pump.
Thoughts?