Holly carb/fuel pump question.

[lendaddy]

My buddy has an old drag truck his father and he built 15 years ago and he's getting it out again. He sent me this question and I thought you guys might have some suggestions.

His e-mail:

I have been searching for some advice on what brand fuel pump is correct for the truck-o-saurus. I have to replace the Holly Blue I have for the second time now. It leaks out the bottom of the housing. I have looked into Mallory, Barry Grant, Carter, Edelbrock, etc. Just too many choices and everyone says they are the champion. I don’t need a monster that pumps 250 GPH with 16PSI. Just something like 100-120GPH at a pretty constant 8PSI. My system gets regulated down to 8PSI and as you know the G’s on the launch are why you need enough pump power. The problem with the Holly carbs is emptying the float bowls and not having the pressure to put the fuel back. I don’t have a monster car or anything, but I don’t want to have issues either.

I have searched forums but I cannot find what I'm looking for.

Do you think your boys on pelican would have any ideas about American Muscle?


So, what do you guys think he should get? Thanks in advance!

The Pelican knowledge base is legendary

[lendaddy]

I asked him for more info just incase and he sent me this:

I don’t think I need them to spec out the size of the “electric” fuel pump. I am pretty sure that the 110GPH with the 8-10psi is all good. But I guess it does not hurt to run it down. I have forgotten a lot of the details actually. The damn thing has not run in two years.

350 SB.

202 bowtie cast iron heads

Bowtie Victor JR. intake

Cam is like 305 duration and .510 lift or something like that.

Going with the edelbrock 750cfm carb

Accel ignition.

The thing likes to launch at about 3600-3800rpms with the stall converter.

Like I said currently on the second holley Blue fuel pump because of casement leaking. Also resealed during that time.

I have a fuel pressure regulator to run me only 8psi.

I don’t have a 9 second car here so I don’t need a $500 pump but if they say I'm stupid for not then that may be good advice also.

Basically just looking for the most reliable pump on the market that can produce what I need.

No room for mechanical pump between the frame rails. Some guys are running both electric and mechanical these days. I only have room for a stock size mechanical. The high volume mechanical pumps are larger and will not fit.

Hopefully that is enough to start the questioning.

Thanks for the help.

[the]

I've used the Mallory 110, which is a great pump, it's around $160.

It is basically non-adjustable and runs at around 7 psi, which should be fine for a 500 hp carb engine. You just use it as is,with no external regulator.

If he wants more PSI, he can move up to the Mallory 140, which puts out more, but has to run with a separate regulator. It starts to get close to $250



fuel pumps

[Zeke]

Well, the boys over on the 914 side with their Webers and Delortos say the Holly pump is the best. So, I don't know, but I think I'd spend some time on the carb itself. You shouldn't be emptying anything until the big end, and then you should have enough to get through the lights if all is set up right. Maybe you need bigger needle valves.

[the]

(I re-read your post, if he needs 8 psi for drag racing, he should probably go with the 140. The 110 is great for carbed street cars, which normally do fine with 6-7 psi, but it sounds like 9 second drag racing puts some special requirement on the pump)

[lendaddy]

Thanks the, I'll pass the info on.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by milt
Well, the boys over on the 914 side with their Webers and Delortos say the Holly pump is the best. So, I don't know, but I think I'd spend some time on the carb itself. You shouldn't be emptying anything until the big end, and then you should have enough to get through the lights if all is set up right. Maybe you need bigger needle valves.

I agree, maybe he can clear this up.

[VINMAN]

Holley Black, elec pump. Best pump out there. I run four of them in my boat.

With the setup he's running, (750 cfm) he really dont need a super high volume pump. The holley blue is more than enough for what he needs.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by VINMAN
Holley Black, elec pump. Best pump out there. I run four of them in my boat.

With the setup he's running, (750 cfm) he really dont need a super high volume pump. The holley blue is more than enough for what he needs.

Any ideas on his leakage problems from the Holley? The truck sits alot, but still it seams odd.

[rhjames]

From my drag racing archives:

1. (Single) Holly blue pumps are marginal in anything faster that 12 second rides.

2. Most weekend hotrodders slap on an electric pump, but fail to do anything with the fuel tank pickup(s) or fuel line(s) back to front (assuming you're running a front motor?) Just because you've got this hot pump, doesn't mean the fuel is flowing----the pickup and fuel lines maybe restrictive, clogged, etc......

3. Pressure regulators are subject to failure as well---you must have an accurate pressure gauge in between the regulator and carb to know what it's doing

4. Where are the float levels at? Holley carbs are easily set, but run like crap if not set properly, if at all

5. Which accelerator pumps? The big 50cc pumps will empty the float bowls in short order, especially if you have mechanical secondaries--accelerator pump squirters are involved in this discussion as well (there are several sizes available)

6. Which needle and seat assemblies? Their adjustment directly correlates to proper float adjustment. Are they functioning properly?

7. proper voltage to the pump(s) is also critical---minimum 13.8 volts, preferably higher on a drag car.

8. Float bowl baffles? High profile vent tubes? Rapid acceleration tends to slosh the fuel out of the vent tubes

9. I ran twin Holley blues on a 10.0 second SS/CA Mopar for over 8 years without ever having any pump issues (leaks). This was prior to Barry Grant's introduction into the market----A clean fuel system is a necessity....


Suggestions:

fuel pressure while important, isn't the real deal. 6 to 8 psi is usually plenty for most rides down to a 9.5 car. And actually, over 8spi will cause the needle and seats to "unseat", resulting in flooding the engine.....not good.

Volume is more important, I believe, so in that regard on a fool proof system you should be running a twin/rear-of-tank pickups, with at least a #8 line (I use a #10 line) with twin parallel filters (no restriction), a Barry Grant 250 gph pump, Barry Grant regulators (2) feeding each float bowl of the carb. If you use two carbs, you can use one regulator per carb. Remember to use pressure gauges as described above.

This is very similar to the system I will be building for my Euro 928. It isn't required to make it start and run every day, but it will deliver fuel on demand.....

I prefer Barry Grant's fuel system products, as he and his team virtually rewrote drag racing fuel systems just a few years ago. Everyone else has just had to get up to his level...


Some of you may think this is overkill, but in this day and age of near 1000hp turbo-ed/ nitrous-ed/ blower-ed street cars, the last thing you want is your very expensive motor to be fuel starved causing a near death experience.....

Hope this helps.


regards---rhjames

[lendaddy]

Good info, I'll pass it on. Thank you!

[VINMAN]

Not sure about the leakage on the Blue. never seen that. I run 1050 cfm Holley Dominators on my boat. I run pretty much at a steady 5400 rpm most of the time. I have no problem feeding them with the Black pump.
Like rhjames said Holleys, are real touchy if not set up right. ( I can give a 2 day sermon on Holley setup). But with the Edelbrock hes planning on using. its a more forgiving carb.

[RANDY P]

Just reading this is giving me the willies about blown power valves..I'm off of Holleys for street use. Make mine a Q Jet please

that thing being a 350 with a setup like that is going to run pretty damn hard (6500 RPM + and foul and nasty driver) set up the fuel with #8 line, good regulator, and a return line (use the factory line back to tank) and a good brand name pump. Everyone's is a crapshoot. Some swear BG is garbage and Holley vice versa.

Don't forget the power valve protection inserts..

rjp

[lendaddy]

Thanks Randy and everyone, I'm sure the info will help him.