ASK RAY
GO WITH THE FLOW!
Q:I read your column every month and find it very informative and easy to understand. But I must disagree with your statement that a mechanical pump will not pull through an electric fuel pump.
I have run an Airtex E8016S on my 1956 Thunderbird for a couple of years. I mounted it back at the tank and run it to start the car and then shut it off. This was recommended for all “baby ’Birds” (1955-’57) by the tech people at the Classic Thunderbird Club International.
Besides not having to spray carb cleaner into the air cleaner, it is a great solution for vapor lock (which these cars are notorious for). At the first sign of bucking you just turn the electric pump on, and the increased fuel pressure clears the vapor lock. I am sure that not all pumps will work, but this one does.
On my 1978 MGB, I run one of these pumps in series with the stock pump. I have a switch in the trunk to choose which one to run. I did this as a backup when I participated in the American British Reliability Run a couple of years
