Electric fuel pump vs. mechanical

[FoxMike]

The A2 I have came with an aftermarket in-line electric fuel pump that is starting to go bad. I am thinking of just going back to the mechanical one. After searching a bit on here, I didn't get a clear reasoning as to why one is better over the other. Thoughts?

[buzzinduzzin]

if you are strong on originality then there is no doubt. someone correct me if this is wrong : the 'proper' mechanical pump does not have a drain hole for when the diaphragm goes bad & fuel gets in the crankcase ? if so then that would be a plus for the electric

[svramselaar]

hi
the A1 had a electric pump because the engine mount was used for a vacuum pump for the windscreen wipers
the A2 has a electric wiper motor so a mech pump can be used at the engine
a electric pump is fine if it has the safety switch at the oil filter connected at the wiring
this prevent if you have a accident and the engine stops contact on (rollover ) the pump still works and pumps fuel everywhere
the mech pump stops wen the engine stops
all modern cars have a electric pump inside or outside it get power from a relays with a timer
the relays give about 2 sec power to the pump then it must have a pulse
from the ignition so know the engine is running otherwise it stops

[rickf]

All mechanical fuel pumps have the weep hole to indicate a broken diaphragm, The military pump has a nipple on the hole to attach the fording line that leads up to the air filter. The civilian replacement that people use from the 60's-70's Dodge slant 6 only has the hole. There is no good reason to not use a mechanical pump on the engine if you have electric wipers.

[Horst]

I went through a couple of water pumps, probably from the jeep sitting. But so far never had a fuel pump problem. As such I would always choose the mechanical pump.

[FoxMike]

Thanks for the info everyone, I'll be going back to the mechanical pump. My A2 has the emissions fuel tank and electric wipers. The current aftermarket fuel pump is wired up to the oil pressure sensor, so it does shut off with no oil px. The mechanical fuel pump is still there, so I will test it according to the TM. I did see the replacement pumps people are using and it looks like they are readily available in case it needs to be replaced.

[rickf]

The A2 did not have an oil pressure cutoff sensor on them originally. Is it a three wire plug coming out towards the front under the filter? If so that is an A1 setup. Are you sure the pump on the side of the engine is a fuel pump and not a vacuum pump?

[FoxMike]

Picture attached

[rickf]

Yep, That is a fuel pump, and an aftermarket or early Ford oil pump safety switch. That pump is an original A2 pump and I would strongly recommend having that one rebuilt over buying a replacement Dodge pump. I have never been convinced that the Dodge pumps had the same cam shoe and I do not believe they ride square on the cam. They do work but how long before they wipe out the cam?
Here is an outfit that has been doing a lot of pumps for these vehicles, cost is about the same as a new pump but these have upgraded parts to deal with new fuels.

https://www.then-now-auto.com/fuel-pump-repair-kits/