1987 YJ, 4.2/auto
I've decided I'm going with a new fuel pump, this time electric to avoid the constant failure of the mechanical type that I keep having to replace. Also, it should help with the hard-starting Weber I have on there.

So, what type should I look for, in terms of volume, PSI, etc? I'm assuming a pressure regulator is now in order? Street should be 3.5# or so, what about offroad?

Any brand you guys have used and are happy with? Price range?

TIA

are you using the return line on your fuel system? i believe this causes mech. pumps to fail since they are constantly being dead-headed. i have a NAPA special electric fuel pump on my scrambler. its the square gold one. they carry one thats higher pressure (up to 14 psi) and one thats lower (around 8 i think) i have the lower pressure one for my AMC 360 V-8 with Q-jet carb. matt

Thanks for the reply, matt. About how much did that run ya?

I am using the return line, I wasn't aware that it could damage the pump (never really thought about it). I've gone through about 4 pumps in the last 6 months (some of them have been defective out of the box; I now test them at the store. BWD sucks).

Is there a blockoff plate for this engine (I6), or will I have to make one from stock?

Originally posted by jeepnmatt
are you using the return line on your fuel system? i believe this causes mech. pumps to fail since they are constantly being dead-headed. i have a NAPA special electric fuel pump on my scrambler. its the square gold one. they carry one thats higher pressure (up to 14 psi) and one thats lower (around 8 i think) i have the lower pressure one for my AMC 360 V-8 with Q-jet carb. matt

There's a return line on the stock Carter BBD... I doubt that damages the fuel pump.

on mech pump failure: i think they will fail more frequently if used without a return line.

as for the electric pump, its this one:

http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/NAPAonline/search_results_product_detail.d2w/report?prrfnbr=15564780&prmenbr=5806&usrcommgrpid=30086379

Thanks for the link, matt. I'll check out the pump at the local Napa.

But ya got me a bit confused: you think mechanical pumps should or should not have a return line? I've never thought that having one would damage anything, but maybe I was gonna learn something new here? :)

He is trying to say using one without a return line will cause premature failres. No return line allows the pressure to build.ie deadheaded...

I bought this one
It seems like a beefier unit and has worked very well on my Blazer. Good luck.electric fuel pump (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EFUEL+PUMP%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EMAST ER%7C%7EUNIVERSAL+++++++++++%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE %7C%7E191411%7C%7E1893%7C%7EE8012S%7C%7E12+VOLT+++ +++++++++++++++++++++++%0A+++++++++++++5+TO+9+POUN DS+OF+PRESSURE++++++++++++++++%0A+++++++++++++++++ ***+CAUTION+***++++++++++++++++++++++%0A++INSTALLA TION+REQUIRES+THE+FUEL+PUMP+TO+BE+WIRED+++++%0A+++ THROUGH+AN+OIL+PRESSURE+SWITCH.+++++++++++++++++++ +%0AFOR+INSTALLATION+TIPS+OR+QUESTIONS%2C+PLEASE+C ALL%3A++++++%0A++++++++++****+1-800-424-7839+****%7C%7E%2429.99%7C%7ECHEVROLET+TRUCK%7C%7E BLAZER+4WD%7C%7E1986%7C%7ELLT%7C%7E1.5%7C%7EEA%7C% 7EB)

use a big block chevy fuel pump cover. just about every parts store in the America has one in stock. I used the Autozone generic electric fuel pump and never had any problems with it.

How did the other pumps fail? Rember that electric pumps do not suck well,they push well.When running an electric pump you should run a relay hooked up to an oil pressure switch,in case of a roll over.Electric pumps should be mounted as close to the tank as posible.Also fuel return lines help keep fuel cool and cut down on vapor lock.

The other pumps failed because, well , they stopped pumping gas ... Can't really tell you much more, other than that when removed, they had no sucking power whatsoever. From one day to the next (always overnight, would try getting the Jeep running the next day and there'd be no gas).

The last one had to be "primed" several times before it worked, though it had suction and there was plenty of gas in the tank. I haven't had any problems with it yet - but it's only been in for a few weeks.

The new pump will be mounted on the frame rail, but first I have to get a new frame, LOL ... mine's so bad there is no place to drill two holes. The new frame goes in in two weeks.

The new frame comes with new gas lines, so if the problem is in my lines, that'll be resolved as well (I've never found any cracks or leaks, or kinks, and otherwise the Jeep runs fine).

Thanks for all the help, folks.