Fuel Pump Question

[2broke4this]

Finally had some time to start working on the engine last night! It's a 1986 Mercruiser (5.7L 260HP Alpha). Changed the water separator, reattached all the fuel lines (PO disconnected in search of a "fuel delivery problem"), and ran a line from the fuel pump to a tank of gas (built in tank is in the garage, waiting to go back in). After spending some time making the drive go down (a few well-placed taps), we discovered that the pump isn't pumping.

My question is this: Would I be better off replacing the mechanical pump with a Holley electric pump with a regulator http://www.holley.com/12-802-1.asp or should I pick up an OEM pump? My biggest concern is safety... If there is any chance of the electric pump causing a problem (blowing us all out of the water) then I'll find a replacement for the stock pump. The Holley was available locally and my mechanic (admittedly not a boat specialist) said he has gone that route and had good luck. I imagine he's got a plan to bypass the original pump (it was late, we didn't talk much about specifics) and still run through the water separator.

I am looking for a safe, reliable way to get fuel to the engine and this was a convenient option that I'm told may be a better option than going back to a mechanical pump. I'm just looking for some advice from people who would know best! Thanks a ton,

Carl

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Fuel Pump Question

Go with the mechanical fuel pump....
It will be a direct, bolt on replacement......
It wiil save alot of rewiring for no reason, imho.....
Electric pumps fail too.......
If the pump had been proprly vented, you would have been alerted to it's imminent failure......
Change your water separater at reasonable intervals & a mechanical pump will last a long time....
The fact that your gas tank is sitting in the garage tells me that poor ol' pump had been pumping some garbage....
No pump will survive that forever........​

 

[2broke4this]

Re: Fuel Pump Question

Thanks for the response, Haut! I assume the PO tried to run the nasty stuff that was in the tank through the original pump... we pulled the tank to drain it and it was disgusting! Last night was the first time I tried to turn it over, and all things considered, it went really well! The separator that was on it was nearly coated in rust, so I was HOPING that changing the separator would fix the problem, but I wasn't banking on it. I'm going to see if I can pick up an OEM pump today, but I was wondering if there were any benefits to going with the electric pump, besides convenience of availability. It looks like all we'd have to do is wire the pump to run with the ignition, so that should be a quick job. If not, we can return the Holley. Thanks again!

Carl

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Fuel Pump Question

I would stay with the OEM equipment....
Not to say the other pump would not work...
But I do not see any real benefit to using it on your rig.......
Why have extra switches & wires when ya don't need 'em?......​