Mechanical vs electric fuel pump

After inheriting this cougar, I realized my wife’s father was trying to convert it from a mechanical fuel pump to an electric. Would this be beneficial? Any recommendations on fuel pump placement? Since I am making it possibly electric, any considerations regarding wiring harness and emergency shut offs if involved in an accident?

Electric fuel pumps are less convenient and often noisier than mechanical pumps. To install one properly requires an oil pressure cutoff switch. Electric pumps ideally are located near the gas tank with the fuel being supplied by gravity to the inlet of the pump.

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Royce is right, if you’re running a carburetor mechanical fuel pumps are dead simple, reliable and easy to replace if needed.

The most common fueling problem with classic cars is a clogged up fuel pickup combined with a gas tank filled with years of sediment. If the car still has the original gas tank I would start there first.

Thank you Royce and mfc. I appreciate the advice. I think I will keep it mechanical for now. Thanks again

Benefit of electric fuel pump is it is pushing the fuel so the fuel in the line is under pressure which can help with heat related issues. The other benefit is if the car is modified and making a lot of HP it can better supply the needed fuel. The cons are have to make a mounting bracket, wire it up and have some way to control it like with an oil pressure switch for safety. They can be noisy if not well insulated, and must require a pressure regulator. Some may require a fuel return line too.

For some thng stock or close to it a good mechanical pump is simple and effective. Now one thing that can be of benefit with either electric or mechanical pumps is a regulator and a return line to the tank. This helps keep the fuel to the carb cool and helps to avoid vapor lock. A pressure regulator can help make sure you don’t have too much pressure to the carb which can cause problems with the carb keeping the fuel bowls at the correct level and this can affect proper function and if bad enough flooding and a possible fire hazard.

I like having fuel injection on my car. What I don’t like is the drone from the electric fuel pump.
I even went so far as putting a rubber isolator on the pump, but I still hear it. I wanted an in tank pump but money was an issue at the time. Maybe once I get the sound system installed I won’t hear it anymore.

Thanks for the input. I may stick with the mechanical pump for now, but I do like the idea of the return fuel line from the carb to eliminate pooling. Is there a certain way to set that up? Certain carburetor that needs to be purchased? The return is to the tank, correct?

Here’s an idea how to get it done:

Thanks cougars R Grr8. I appreciate it