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fuel pump on Model A four banger Need Help!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by old skool, Oct 14, 2008.

  1. old skool
    Joined: Mar 3, 2007
    Posts: 80

    old skool
    Member
    from VA

    I am "hopping up" a model A engine. I added a home made lake style header with a holley carb. I have seen many photos on the HAMB of four banger motors. I noticed almost all of them did not have a fuel pump. Does it operate better without a fuel pump? Is one really needed? Would it perform better with one? I have a low pressure pump. Did not want to put it in unless I needed too. Could use some help from someone who has worked on one. I need some feed back.

    Thanks for your time.

    Marty
     
  2. a model A engine does not have a mechanical fuel pump , it was gravity feed from the cowl mounted fuel tank....so i assume you are talking about an electric?

    FYI , ford added a boss for a mechanical fuel pump on 4 cylinders in 1932
     
  3. old skool
    Joined: Mar 3, 2007
    Posts: 80

    old skool
    Member
    from VA

    Hello,

    Yes, I am talking about a electric.
     
  4. JohnEvans
    Joined: Apr 13, 2008
    Posts: 4,883

    JohnEvans
    Member
    from Phoenix AZ

    Most likely you will need a fuel pump for the following reasons. 1 The stock A had a up draft carb that was mounted quite aways below the fuel tank and WAS designed to be gravity fed. 2 The carb you now are using is mounted much higher and was designed to be fed under pressure. Basic problem is you will not have enough gravity head [pressure] to give the carb enough fuel.
    I know some people have got away with no pump so try it that way first. It works OK great ,if not add the pump. Might be fine with a full tank of fuel and as level drops starts running poorly.
     

  5. Speedsterinc
    Joined: May 27, 2008
    Posts: 211

    Speedsterinc
    Member


    DITTO.. You will need a pump. Been there done that
     
  6. BCCHOPIT
    Joined: Aug 10, 2008
    Posts: 2,601

    BCCHOPIT
    Member

    I ran mine with no pump for a good 1000 miles but I would run out of gas up big hills I would have to get gas every ride pain in the ass. I put a pump in 2 weeks ago.
     
  7. Wildfire
    Joined: Apr 23, 2006
    Posts: 831

    Wildfire
    Member

    I've heard of putting the pump down low, running a line on to it inside the the firewall and back up and out the original exit so it looks stock on the engine side. Holley 94s only need a few pounds of pressure if what I've read is accurate - put a regulator on it.
     
  8. AV8Paul
    Joined: Mar 2, 2003
    Posts: 1,813

    AV8Paul
    Member Emeritus

    I had a elec pump failure with my AV8, so I by-passed the pump and went gravity feed to get home. The next day I put the lawn mower gas can in the rumble and went for a long ride. Ran that puppy right down to the last drop. Added the lawn mower gas and drove to a gas station. I ran it like that for the rest of the season. It would run out of gas on a long climb, but if I got out of the throttle, it would recover. I replaced the elec pump that winter, but to this day, I carry that piece of by-pass hose just in case. OH yeah, I run 2X2's on a Thickstun hi-rise.
     
  9. Artiki
    Joined: Feb 17, 2004
    Posts: 2,013

    Artiki
    Member
    from Brum...

    I'm guessing that you simply couldn't see the fuel pumps, rather than them not having one.

    I run two bangers and have tried both with gravity feed, one with a Weber 32/36 progressive and one with a 94 (later changed to a 97). Neither ran very well, to be honest, and on hills you can forget it. I have my fuel pumps inside the chassis rail, underneath the passenger's feet. It's fairly close to the silencer but I've made a little ali heat shield that goes around the pump, though I'm not sure it needs it.
    Just run a fuel line from the original point on the bulkhead, down to the pump - always use a filter - and then back up to the carb.
     
  10. old skool
    Joined: Mar 3, 2007
    Posts: 80

    old skool
    Member
    from VA

    Hello,

    Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful. I just wanted to do it right the first time. I have a low pressure electric fuel pump ready to go. I will put it in tomorrow. If you have anymore suggestions, I would like to hear them!

    Thanks for your time everyone!

    Marty
     
  11. brokenspoke
    Joined: Jul 26, 2005
    Posts: 2,968

    brokenspoke
    Member

    I would like to see where you mount the pump and run the lines..
     
  12. BCCHOPIT
    Joined: Aug 10, 2008
    Posts: 2,601

    BCCHOPIT
    Member

    (I noticed almost all of them did not have a fuel pump.)
    most guys cant find mine :>
     
  13. Tedders
    Joined: Oct 18, 2012
    Posts: 419

    Tedders
    Member

    Any pics of running it in the frame and out of the firewall in stock location?
     
  14. Deuced Up!
    Joined: Feb 8, 2008
    Posts: 4,206

    Deuced Up!
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    We put a low volume 6 volt Carter (positive ground) electric pump on the 31. Mounted it under the cab plus a fuel regulator and then ran the line up and out through the original glass gravity filter system, then to a fuel block and then to the two 97s. Works perfect. Makes everyone that sees it THINK you can run dual 97s on gravity (but you can not)!
    20141213_120621.jpeg
     
    CGkidd, mike bowling and Model T1 like this.
  15. dan c
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,520

    dan c
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    in the old days, grandpa would back his model a up a hill if he was low on gas. also, a lot of hot rodders would pressurize the fuel tank with a manual pump.
     
  16. mike bowling
    Joined: Jan 1, 2013
    Posts: 3,560

    mike bowling
    Member

    where'd you get the pump? I've got the same thing to set up- good info!
     
  17. Deuced Up!
    Joined: Feb 8, 2008
    Posts: 4,206

    Deuced Up!
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  18. mike bowling
    Joined: Jan 1, 2013
    Posts: 3,560

    mike bowling
    Member

    Thanks- I'll check it out tommoro. I'm glad there's so many Banger enthusiasts on here; there's a ton of good info.
     

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    Last edited: Jun 29, 2015
  19. Harold's Speed
    Joined: Jan 6, 2016
    Posts: 52

    Harold's Speed
    Member

    I am assuming the fuel pump is mounted to the right frame rail under the front floor, correct? I had thought of doing this but wondered if I would have any problems due to the heat from the muffler. Is this your setup and wondering if you have had any heat related issues? thanks
     

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