Backup Electric Fuel Pump In-line?

I recall some discussion about this on the form but I couldn't find it. Looking for an inexpensive pump that would not effect fuel flow with the stock system that I could install but keep power off until it became necessary.

With my recent head gasket replacement I found I have to remove the steering gear box in order to remove/install the fuel pump. I have the herm kit with the steering in the engine compartment. In order to remove the steering box I need to remove the power steering pump, the steering shaft and the fender. Big Job if I have a breakdown on the trail. I have a spare fuel pump in my spare parts bag but putting a backup electric fuel pump in line seems like a good idea at this point. Thoughts?

 

There’s a possibility that the mechanical pump failed with a torn diaphragm, and trying to pump fuel through it will just fill your crankcase. You’d be better off mounting/wiring an electric pump nearby with plugged ports and swapping the hoses over if needed.

 

That seems like it would be bad.

 

I think most electric fuel pumps will allow fuel to be sucked through them, so that side of the equation shouldn’t be a problem. To avoid pumping fuel into the crankcase, the simplest solution would be to keep a barbed sleeve in your tool kit (or keep it connected to the fuel line, close to the mechanical pump. If the mechanical pump fails, disconnect the inlet and outlet fuel lines from it, splice them together with the barbed sleeve, and flip on the electric pump.

 

this doesn't seem like abad idea at all, might try this myself if i ever felt the need to.

 

Not all of them. Easy way to tell, if you can blow through it, your fuel pump can draw through it.

 

I hate to say this but that’s another reason not to use Herm’s steering conversion and stick with the standard Saginaw style conversion. The ease of getting to stuff is why I run fenderwell headers instead of the stock exhaust or aftermarket duals, much easier to get to trans, clutch and transfercase with no exhaust routed around it. It’s also why I used a traditional Saginaw steering.

 

I am in the process of collecting the parts needed just to convert over to an electric fuel pump. I will just delete the mechanical system and keep a spare electric pump in the jeep toolbox. I am putting an auto shutoff switch in to cut power in case of an accident. An electric pump mounted inside the frame rail seems like an easy thing to fix on the trail.

I also think this will do a better job of keeping the carb supplied when idling.

 

Start a thread with this info. I'm interested in making mine more reliable.

 

And I understand there's a guy who makes a nice mounting system somewhere here on ECJ5!

The Herm mount has given me next to zero trouble for the past couple years. I liked it for the fact it kept the gear inside the engine compartment (looks better) and required less modifications (this was my first auto project of any kind). Now I'm seeing a major downfall. What other reasons has anyone seen to avoid this mount/system?

 

I will when I start putting it in. Just a pile of parts now.

 

While an electric aux pump is nice for such things as priming the carb after sitting and as a back up pump in case of stock pump failure, there are some inherent issues using it to replace the mechanical pump.
Using an electric pump as the main pump should also entail a rollover valve or an oil pressure ground (ALA late 70's CJ choke ground) to insure the pump stops in case of accident, rollover, or engine shut down, a second step most folks miss or forget.

 

I have been running an electric backup pump for about 20k miles on my Jeep, made by edelbrock. I've never actually needed it though, it's just been sitting there having fuel go through it.

Only times I have ever used it was to prime the system after engine work.

 

I run a napa electric fuel pump inline with the mechanical pump with a 72 micron filter. I just wired mine to a switch in cab, seems like these new mech. fuel pumps are about as reliable as a paper air plane. A very good reliability mod!