Electric Fuel Pump Placement

[mjeansonne]

I have an electric fuel pump I want to put on the 62 Hawk. What I have read on the forum, I should put it close to the tank at the lowest spot. THe problem is, looking under the car near the tank, there is no place to mount the pump. It takes two screws to mount it and I don't see a frame or cross member to place it on. I don't think it would be wise to just let the fuel line hold the pump up... it would cause too much stress on the fuel line. Mounting it to the underside of the floor panel would place the pump way above the tank. Mounting it on the frame rail doesn't seem like a good idea either... no real space and I would have to cut the fuel line again. I have a fuel filter between the tank and the fuel line beginning. Any suggestions?



Laisez le bon temps roulez avec un Studebaker

[bams50]

I'm not sure what is meant by the "lowest spot"- that doesn't apply. The pump does what it's name says; so it's not like gravity is needed. Think about the factory set-up: the end of the pick-up in the tank is lower than the stock fuel pump, right?

As you've read, electric pumps work best when they're pushing fuel; that's why you want to mount it as far back as you can- a short run pulling the fuel from the tank, and pushing it the rest. Just mount it on the inside of the frame rail where you can, being sure that suspension/exhaust don't interfere with it. You are correct, you do NOT want it hanging free; many pumps need a clean, solid mount to the frame for ground purposes anyway.

Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by mjeansonne

I have an electric fuel pump I want to put on the 62 Hawk. What I have read on the forum, I should put it close to the tank at the lowest spot. THe problem is, looking under the car near the tank, there is no place to mount the pump. It takes two screws to mount it and I don't see a frame or cross member to place it on. I don't think it would be wise to just let the fuel line hold the pump up... it would cause too much stress on the fuel line. Mounting it to the underside of the floor panel would place the pump way above the tank. Mounting it on the frame rail doesn't seem like a good idea either... no real space and I would have to cut the fuel line again. I have a fuel filter between the tank and the fuel line beginning. Any suggestions?

I have installed them on three of my cars. In each case I mounted the pumps on the inside of the frame rail by drilling two small holes and fastening the pumps with small self-tapping bolts (large screws). I did cut off more of the steel line, but if you really didn't want to you could loop the flexible line back down to the original end of the steel line near the tank. It is a good idea to have a fuel filter between the tank and the pump.




Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[curt]

I have been told ton mount the pump lower than the carb. I mounted the one on my 1955 President on the trunk's back-wall, that is, just in front of the gas tank.This is of course mounted on the car's under side. Be sure to put a filter between the tank and the pump.Good luck.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Read the instructions (if you have them).
Most "all" electric pumps work best being as low as possible, vs. the bottom of the tank.
While many "will pull" fuel, most aren't made to pull, just push. They work much better when primed by gravity..!

I made a bracket/panel that bolts to the frame and the pump is bolted to the plate. Not a big deal to fabricate. I also installed a large filter before the pump to protect it from garbage...but that's just me. Both the filter and pump are at the same level as the bottom of the tank...as has been all of the cars I've added an electric pump to in the last 40+ years I been driving cars. And with zero problems I might add.

The reason has nothing to do with the height of the carburetor....! More wives tales.
As I noted, it's a priming thing. You don't want the car sitting for a month and having the fuel evaporate past the pump...then turn it on..."dry"...for how many seconds..!
It may work fine for...then the impeller crumbles. And how come the impeller fell apart?

Best to keep it wet.

As another says...your car, your money.

Mike

[bondobilly]

My old Piper Cherokee had fuel pummps that were turned on for take off and landings. I have an electric fuel pump in a box ready to put in the hawk. I won't wire it, but I want so that I can turn on the pump prior to ignition and then turn off the pump once we have gotten where we were going. I am concerned about the fuel pump kicking in and loading up the carb. Does that make sense?

Thanks
BG

[wcarroll@outrageous.net]

I can't remember if the fuel line runs on the inside or outside of the frame rails on Hawks -been a while since I've had one.

If it's on the outside, you might consider mounting it behind the wheel as I did on my Avanti. This location allows for easy access when the wheel is removed, and hides the pump and filter when the wheel is in place.

Here's alink to a pic:

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2443731270078480179hHOQLK

http://community.webshots.com/user/s2dbaker?vhost=community

[alpayed]

I am currently looking at replacing my mechanical pump with a electric one because of the crappy fuel now being produced.
I have to crank my Hawk for a while to fill the carby bowl when it has been sitting for even 1 week.
I have read a few posts here and it is apparent that most overlook a very important point.
When wiring up a fuel pump it should be done so that in the event of an accident the pump does not remain on and empty the contents of the fuel thank into the engine bay.
To do this a tachymetric relay (a relay that senses pulses from the ignition coil), a relay on the alternator charge warning light or oil pressure switch should be used.
So I think a simple push button to prime the carby (you have to keep it pressed) with one of the above in the ignition circuit should do it.
I would hate to be incinerated by ignoring this point. It is mandatory for all cars that the fuel supply is switched off when the engine is not running.
Hope this helps all who are using electric pumps.
Allan

[wcarroll@outrageous.net]

I used an inertia fuel cut-off switch from a late model Ford Mustang. It has a reset button incase it "accidently" (no pun intended ) gets triggered.

I picked it up off Ebay. You can also find them at junk yards. They're kinda pricey new from the dealers and auto parts stores. Be sure to grab the harness too!!!

Alan -I like your idea of a push button/momentary switch to trigger the pump as a priming mechanism

http://community.webshots.com/user/s2dbaker?vhost=community

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by bondobilly

My old Piper Cherokee had fuel pummps that were turned on for take off and landings. I have an electric fuel pump in a box ready to put in the hawk. I won't wire it, but I want so that I can turn on the pump prior to ignition and then turn off the pump once we have gotten where we were going. I am concerned about the fuel pump kicking in and loading up the carb. Does that make sense?

Here's how I just finished an electric pump installation on my '64 Daytona convertible. I just made one cut in the steel line, seperated the ends slightly then looped the new fuel lines to and from the pump. I placed a small On-Off toggle switch under the dash to the left of the steering column. It takes power from the ACC post of the ignition switch then runs through the firewall and follows the fuel line to the pump. Turning the key to the accessory position, I just switch the pump on briefly to prime the carb before turning off the pump and turning on the ignition.










Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[rockne10]

On my '51 I have a momentary contact switch next to the starter switch, powered from the ignition; turn the key, prime the carb, hit the starter. The mechanical pump does the rest. There's never power to the electric pump unless I hold the switch. The pump is mounted low on the floor pan just in front of the rear axle.

[Tom Bredehoft]

On a 53 and 54 Commander with manual transmission, Get yourself a starter switch for an automatic, it's a momentary on switch, (push down to engage, release to disconnect) mount it in the hole on the dash beside the ignition key and you are good to go. Its like Studebaker knew what we'd need for our electric fuel pumps.

If you have a 53 or 54 Commander with AutoDrive, put the starter switch in the Fog light switch position. You never use those fog lights anyway.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 617 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[mjeansonne]

Paul and Will... Thanks for the photos, as they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words"!! I know my question was simple, but just couldn't visualize what I wanted to do! If the Louisiana heat isn't too bad today (its already 90F degrees at 9:30 a.m.!), maybe I can complete the project quickly!

...If only the British hadn't exiled us here from Acadie' we wouldn't have to put up with this heat!![)]



Laisez le bon temps roulez avec un Studebaker

[Captain Billy]

Exiled from Acadia....would you like to trade places about October for 5-6 months?

Because inquiring minds want to know, when installing an electric fuel pump and using some of the suggestions discussed here, is there a need to also install a return fuel line to the tank for excess fuel? Or will a properly regulated pump only delivery what is required?





Bill Foy
Kingston, Ontario
1964 Wagonaire Slider

[Dads Baby]

Bill,

I know some that have used a return line on their cars, but I have not. I don't typically leave my pump on all the time. Even if I do leave it on, I have not had any issues.

My question is what pumps are people using? My first pump was a Mr. Gasket Micro Pump. It did not last long.

Carey
Packard Hawk