Quote:
Originally Posted by 68bird400HO
It is just unreal that in the late 60s we had the technology to mass produce these pumps with high reliability and reasonably long life. Now we can't. We can debate the ethanol issue but we also have superior materials, neoprene, etc that are resistant to the crap gas. Also the new pump failures are in a short time so can't be the gas.
I need a 3 line pump so at this point am either going Robb Mc or seeing if I can get this old holley working. I am not seeing any other 3 liners out there. Not going to drop big money for old nos for a chance it might be good. Reliability and piece of mind is the most important.
Is the Robb Mc website the only place to get their pumps?
Are there other 3 line aftermarket pumps I am missing?
|
I'm not sure how much flow you need but I don't buy into every aftermarket pump being total junk. The fail rate may be high but it's not 100%.
I recently bought a Delphi pump. So far it works, doesn't overpower the carb inlet, and hasn't broken yet. I don't know if or how long it will hold up but so far so good. I know it's not my good luck saving me.
As to why fuel pump quality may be poor, it's not a lack of technology. While every brand may source from the same manufacturer and use the same design and materials, I want to believe some are better at managing quality than others.
I don't blame Chinese manufacturers. They just make stuff for other companies. They deliver what their customer contracts for. To me, a brand can decide how they want to trade off quality against price and manage a Chinese or any other manufacturer to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, it seems the market has driven every brand to the same cost-driven business model that accepts high field failure and/or return rates.
If I had a 500 hp engine and wanted high quality, good support, and reliability, I'd probably pay $225 and custom-fit the lines. But I don't. So I take my chances on a $40 bolt-in.
When I was shopping, I found Spectra sold off their fuel pump line in the past few years and it seems others have done the same. So I looked for a brand that at least put their name on the pump. Delphi did, so I bought it. Is it better than any other? I don't know, but Delphi knows I'll be reminded which brand failed when I replace it. To me, the name on the part is worth more than no name, even if it comes from the same factory.