Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiny
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.
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I don't remember what pump I put on back in 2000 but it lasted 23 years. It wasn't AC Delco since it didn't have the AC on it. It finally went in May and I replaced it with the Delphi. That left me stranded last week. Didn't even last 200 miles. I ordered a Carter last week since I thought it was made in USA and the picture looked like my pump from 2000 (had the 2 weep holes). I just got the pump and it was not the pictured one, instead it is identical to the Delphi. Only difference is the Carter ink stamp instead of the Delphi ink stamp. I don't even want to try it.
Fwiw, my 71 TA has an air tex pump on it and it is still working fine after 13 years. Quality seems to have fallen off for all of these in recent years.