I have a 302 with a 600cfm edlebrock on my 71 maverick and want to install an electric fuel pump. This car is NOT a drag racer just a high performance 302. I need help with how to connect this pump. Any help would greatly be appreciated. 1) Where do you mount this pump, rear of car, front, or does it matter? 2) Where (battery +, relay,etc.) is the best placed to directly connect the hot wire from the pump to ensure it is connected properly? Please be very specific, thanks. 3) For the 600cfm, what pressure would be best to set the regulator too? 4) What fuel filter is the best setup for this pump? 5) Any other considerations that I misssed to ask?
Mount the pump as close to the tank and as low as you can. Mount it with total isolation to prevent noise. Electric pumps have to have a device that shuts them off in case the engine dies. Most often an oil switch is used but I have seen vacuum switches as well. you need to get an oil pressure switch with three connections; Normally Open (NO), Normally Closed (NC), and a Common (C). The Common goes to the pump, the Normally Open goes to the ignition side of the switch, and the Normally Closed goes to the Start side of the ignition switch. You can add a relay if you need to it would connect in place of the pump and then feed the pump. Holley recommends about 6 PSI for their carbs and I think that would be fine for the Edelbrock. Use two filters. One LARGE filter from the tank to the pump and an inline filter between the pump and carb.
You don't have to install a shut-off for stalling. It isn't a bad idea, but it is far from a must. The float in the carb keeps the pump from doing any ill if you stall out. I install them with a toggle switch powered by the ignition switch. Key on to 'run', and the pump runs. The toggle is default on, but there as a manual safety. If you make the switch non-discript and/or discreet, it acts as an anti-theft device too. If the pump doesn't run when someone goes to steal it, they are never going to guess that it is not a mechanical pump. They will only go as far as the carb bowl has fuel.
You don't have to go the speed limit or wear seat belts..... but it is required by law. For electric or pressurized fuel delivery systems (LPG): DOT requires a shut-off device that works automatically. UL recommends an auto-shut-off that works with oil pressure WISHA (OSHA for WA.) requires an auto shut-down feature on off road vehicles. It is more than a good idea (like seat belts) it's the law.
Most performance mods are illegal for street use after 75 year model, but I doubt there are very many folks that put the cat back on their Maverick! Just kidding. I wasn't aware it was a law. But most laws are meant to be broken when they intrude on such trivial affairs.
I am just used to letting people know. Old habits die hard. If you have an under hood fire and the pump keeps pushing gas on it you could end up with a big piece of slag where your Maverick/Comet was sitting. It is a good safety measure, a good idea and a requirement that will probably only be checked if your car burns and you need to file a claim on the insurance - which may deny the claim because of the lack of a required safety device. Some folks are lucky and it will never happen to them. I get to be one of the "other people" so I install all the safety required parts.
