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I run a mechanical and an electric simultaneously in two of my rigs (77 cherokee and 62 willys wagon). I also have a dash mounted fuel pressure gauge in each. If you run the mechanical pump as primary, you will know right away if it fails; it does not hurt the electric to be connected in-line and not running while the mechanical is doing the primary duty. A switch on the dash can be used to control the electric pump. If the mechanical pump stops working, a piece of rubber fuel hose can be used to bypass the pump, and the electric unit will get you out of the woods or back home again. Other than simply being a backup to the mechanical pump, the electric gets used to prime the carburetor if the vehicle has not been driven for more than one week, or when I have done engine work and drained the fuel out of the carburetor.
4bz, that's how I've been running my vehicles for two decades. The electrical pump simply free-wheels when not in use and presents very little resistance to fuel flow, but is there when you need it. A mechanical pump diaphragm less than a few years old is not likely to fail under normal circumstances so filling the crankcase with fuel isn't a big concern.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
Hmmm, interesting replies guys. Thanks. I'll run both for a bit and see if the issue is resolved before I commit to doing the block off. If the issue is resolved, I'll probably consider the next level (EFI) in the future.
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897
Heck, people object to running a mechanical oil pressure gauge into the cabin. No way would I run a mechanical fuel pressure gauge into the cabin. I thought these gauges were meant for use under the hood, not in the cabin. There are electric fuel pressure gauges, which IMO would be the right choice if you want to put the readout in the cabin. Usually the mechanical gauges are meant as test instruments, or are mounted under the hood as a help for tuning.
The Summit mechanical FP gauges are about $20 each, and the Summit electric FP gauge is about $60, but it gets poor reviews. The name-brand electric FP gauges are over $200.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
tgreese wrote:Heck, people object to running a mechanical oil pressure gauge into the cabin. No way would I run a mechanical fuel pressure gauge into the cabin. I thought these gauges were meant for use under the hood, not in the cabin. There are electric fuel pressure gauges, which IMO would be the right choice if you want to put the readout in the cabin. Usually the mechanical gauges are meant as test instruments, or are mounted under the hood as a help for tuning.
The Summit mechanical FP gauges are about $20 each, and the Summit electric FP gauge is about $60, but it gets poor reviews. The name-brand electric FP gauges are over $200.
Nobody ever stated mechanical gauges. Just recommended a gauge to monitor with.
I'm not a fan of any pressure lines running into the cabin either.
Any gauge I run will be electric.
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897
FWIW: An electrical oil pressure gauge will do the same job for cheap. Just label it
Fuel Pressure and yer done.
I mention this because I use Autometer temp and pressure gauges for engine, trans, fuel and diffs for very little expense.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation