Fuel Pump Pressure . . .

Fr Mike · November 2nd, 2009

What is the fuel pump pressure of the 1931 Buick 8-50 series supposed to be? I think it's 2.0 to 2.5 lbs., but I'm not sure.

Mark Shaw · November 3rd, 2009

No more than 3 psi.

Fr Mike · November 3rd, 2009

Thanks for the reply.

buicker · December 23rd, 2009

Have you installed a electronic fuel pump in the 31 buick? If so did you run it through the factory pump? I would like to know how it turned out. Thanks

Fr Mike · December 23rd, 2009

Hi buicker!

Re: Fuel Pump Pressure . . .
Have you installed a electronic fuel pump in the 31 buick? If so did you run it through the factory pump? I would like to know how it turned out. Thanks

Initially, the gas tank was cleaned out and relined, and the fuel line replaced. Then the stock Marvel carburetor was carefully rebuilt and stock fuel pump also rebuilt with a modern fuel compatible diaphragm and adjusted. As a result, everything operated very nicely.

For peace of mind, and after the usual woes from vaporlock, I installed an electric fuel pump (ACDELCO---ACD# EP11; GM# 6414670). This pump did not help with vaporlock, but worked fine otherwise, and quietly. After a while I transferred it from my Buick to my '36 Plymouth P2 driver, where it continues to work fine when I switch it on (in conjunction with the P2's stock mechanical pump). The Plymouth never has had vaporlock problems!

Installation on both cars was simple with the ACDelco pump. Both cars have stock mechanical fuel pumps. Going downstream from the gas tank, a filter, then the pump, (being a flow-through type) were simply installed in the gas line back by the tank. A pressure regulator has not seemed to be needed on either car, otherwise it would have been next. There have been no problems with this set up. I wired the pump through the ignition switch to avoid forgetting to turn it off. but also wired in an on/off override toggle.

Meanwhile, I have now also installed a special electric pump on the Buick. This one is reported to pump alcohol, and to have been field tested on old cars to prevent vaporlock. It is described as maintaining the pressure and admitting more liquid when fuel vaporiztion occurs. It seems to need a pressure regulator and is not a flow-throuh type. So, when warm weather comes again to northern Wisconsin, I will climb under my old Buick and install the pressure regulator and a bypass set up, and wire through the ignotion with an override.

All this is probably more than you wanted, but I hope it's useful.

So