Fuel pump upgrade

[darmentle]

So my 73 Chevy crawling up a steep hill starts acting like its running out of gas . So i don't think the little mechanical fuel pump on the block can keep up on a steep inclines i am running a holley 650 truck avenger. I was wanting to upgrade to a better electric one not sure on what everyone is running for a inline fuel pump. Also do i need to purchase a fuel regulator? and once i install the new inline one would i get rid of the old one on the block?

[nlauffer]

What motor are you running?

You can upgrade mechanical pumps and not have to change hose routing.

You can use an electric inline, but I have heard they are noisy.  You would probably have to use a regulator for either option, if the pressure is increased.

I'm not a genius when it comes to this, but maybe you could check into a big block (454) fuel pump.  Maybe the big block pump puts out more volume.

[nlauffer]

I just did some searching and found that Carter fuel pumps and Airtex fuel pumps for 350 and 454 are different, but they both push 40 GPH @ 1800 RPM and operate in the 7.5-9 psi range.  So if your fuel pump is operating up to par and it is indeed not providing enough fuel, you can use these numbers to decide on a replacement.  I have seen where Holley (I think) makes some mechanical pumps that are rated at GPH.  If I remember right they make an 80 GPH pump.

[rich weyand]

Check the float levels on the Holley.

Is that the early Truck Avenger, or is it a later unit?  I heard that the earlier ones had problems.

[darmentle]

Its a new 383 stroker carb is the newer model runs great every where else . But when i go off road on a steep incline and i try to crawl up cause there are decent size rocks so i have to keep my foot in it so it doesn't start to sputter.

[rich weyand]

Check the float levels.  It seems that carb is pretty immune to slopes as long as the floats are adjusted properly.

[darmentle]

Ok cool i will check the float levels this weekend thanks.

[rich weyand]

Yeah, you don't need a fuel pump.  Maximum fuel flow is required at highway speeds with a load, like pulling a trailer at 60 mph.  If you're not having trouble at speed, just rock crawling, then it's not the fuel pump.