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Posted by Vaughn on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 12:17:10 :
In Reply to: My opinions posted by Clint Dixon on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 19:09:06 :
Having used mechanical pumps that caused problem with fuel delivery above 30mph due to bad inlet/outlet valves and rocker arm pivot pins that have worked out leaving me dam near stranded in the middle of no where, had it not been for spare pump I carried, I made the change to a solid state electric pump. Since then I have not had any more fuel problems. I carry a spare electric in the truck’s tool box, and since the electric is mounted close to the tank, it’s a heck-of-a-lot easier to change out on a hot day than the mechanical on a hot engine.
I’m not by any means biased toward mechanical pumps. They were the technology used on the trucks, and for the “purist,” is the item to have installed. That’s fine and dandy, but for the guy that has a worn cam eccentric, that doesn’t have the money or the time to do the proper repairs, the electric is a good and satisfactory alternative.
I do agree that the fuel system has to be clean and in good shape. Since the mechanical does not suck gas, it only creates a partial vacuum. The atmospheric pressure, acting on the fuel in the tank, forces the fuel to the pump. So the tank has to be clean, and the lines free of rust and iron buildup to get the greatest efficiency from the mechanical. The electrical has an advantage over this method – pressure.
The problem with all fuel problems when someone buys an older vehicle is that they don’t take the time to correct things that usually go wrong from years of sitting, such as cleaning the tank, carb, replacing fuel lines and hoses. Once we get it home, we poor gas in the tank to see if the old beast will fire up – we just get too excited over having gotten one of these old trucks to take the time to do what should be done. The problem for some is also compounded by their lack of mechanical skills.
So to rap this up, we on this forum, share are experiences, advice, and our repair "How-To" expertise, “GLADLY,” to anyone that has saved another FFPW from the crusher and to help them join the FFPW owners who enjoy restoring, driving, using and preserving a peace of history.