This page was last updated on $Date: 2000/03/06 00:01:09 $
Electric Fuel Pump Summary
by Roland Dudley - Jan 1993
cobra@hpcdcsn.cdc.hp.com
CSX2282
As I mentioned in an earlier message I received lots of good responses
to my question about electric fuel pumps. I still haven't decided which
one to use but it appears that the are several good pumps to choose
from. Probably the largest favorable response was for the Facet pump.
The complaint about these pumps I mentioned in my original posting
really had to do with the fussiness required in the mounting, not their
function or reliability. I don't think anyone disagreed with this point
but most felt it wasn't a big deal. Several responders suggested using
rubber mounts to mask the noise and absorb the vibration characteristic
of this and other electric pumps. In a Cobra, noisiness probably isn't
much of an issue, but vibration could be a problem if it causes stress
to the mounts. I definitely plan to look into the high capacity dual
Facet pump.
Another popular pump suggestion was the rotary vane type. Apparently
Holley, Carter and Mallory make them. One of my colleagues here at work
had a rotary vane pump fail in his motor home recently. He couldn't
remember what brand of pump is was but he thinks it was a Carter. I
believe his motor home is GM based. He replaced it with a Holley. My
Cobra acquaintance did complained about the reliability of Stewart
Warner pumps but I don't think he was referring to a rotary vane type.
Also He wasn't particularly pleased with the functioning of Holley
pumps.
Other pumps recommended were: Mallory, Vera and generic solid state
pumps available from J.C. Whitney. I was warned to stay away from the
adjustable pressure type, especially the cheaper models. Anyone have
some good words for adjustable higher end pumps? This sound ideal for
my purpose since I currently have a rather haggard, stock 289 with a 2V
carburetor in my snake, but eventually I'll be replacing it with the
original HiPo with 4V Holley. I'm even considering going with a 302
crank. I would think the flow requirements would be a lot higher for the
latter setup.
I suppose another option would be to go with a higher capacity and
pressure pump and a separate pressure regulator. Someone also suggested
installing a gauge in the system to monitor pressure.
Cobra Restorers sells a Stewart Warner pumps which I suspect is the brand
used by racer during the Cobra heyday in the '60s but I've heard that
SW quality isn't particularly good these days. This pump is a piston
type. J. Bittle American, one of the major suppliers of Ford
performance equipment sells Speed-Pro and Holley "Blue". The Speed-Pro
is a rotary vane pump but I know nothing about it. The Holley Blue
seems like more pump than I really need.
Several people asked what the pressure and capacity requirements were for
a Cobra. The only specs I have are from the Ford shop manual which
doesn't distinguish between the stock and HiPo 289cid engines. And as
far as I can tell the pump on my HiPo engine is identical to the one on
the stock engine in the car. Anyway, the specs state: pressure 4-6psi;
capacity 1 pint in less than 20 seconds at 500 rpm. That's about 22.5
GPM. The SW, Speed-Pro and Holley all meet these specs quite easily. I
don't know about the other pumps mentioned above but I suspect the
rotary vane and dual Facet would have no problems either.
My friend with the motor home did make one recommendation no one else
did. He suggested installing an oil pressure sensor cutoff switch in
the pump supply circuitry. This is so the fuel is shut off in the event
of an accident. These cutoff switches have a mechanism that allows the
pump to work during starting when there is not oil pressure.
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