I'm considering fitting an electric fuel pump to my '59 beetle with a 1600 engine. I've heard that the best location is under the fuel tank, and I have a couple of other questions about how to do this properly...

What is the right knd of pressure range needed?
Where should the pump get electric power from?
Do I need some kind of safety cut-off, if so how should that be set up?

Thanks in advance

You will need to buy a pump to suit a carby motor they run a lower pressure around 4.
Yes fitting them under the fuel tank is a good idea to prevent the pump sucking air.
You won't necessarily need any safety cut off for fuel pressure but depending on your carby an aftermarket fuel pressure regulator might be helpful. (try without first most times not needed, as pumps have an internal pressure regulator)
To power your pump its a good idea to run a new feed from the battery via a relay to the pump switch the relay off your ignition (saves filling the motor with fuel if you forget to turn off the pump after stopping the engine..lol)
Its also a good idea to rubber mount your pump as it saves some of the vibration noise in the cab (just remember to add an earth strap to the pump housing if rubber mounting)

i agree with HotRodMatt you definitely need a cut out in case of accident,there would be nothing worse than being in a vehicle after a crash with the engine stopped and the fuel pump spraying fuel over a hot motor through a ruptured fuel line whilst you were trapped or incapaitated.I use a relay triggered by the oil pressure switch which cuts the fuel when there is no fuel pressure. As there is usually fuel in the carby there is no problem starting. Cheers Les

what makes you want to go electric?

stock works well even feed a pair of IDAs

i ran one while ago but only cos i had no choice
first round it was wired by the charge light so it only ran when the alternator spun and second round i got a EFI fuel pump relay which works of tacho signal

they're usually noisy and pressure can be a problem with some carbs
kadrons are painfull with electric pumps

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/32771/1146550404050767931S600x600Q85.jpg 

Hi,
from My website..
a photo of under My fuel tank

I hope it turns Out OK..

a bit hard to see..

the round black plastic fuel pumps is under the steering column
My electric air horns are on the RHS,,

You will also notice the collapsible steering column...
every beetle should be fitted with one of these....

I think they started in 1968>
I also have fitted a collapsible steering wheel...
from a late type 3 VW...

cheers

LEE

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

LEE

i have just purchased an electric fuel pump ( facet type with a pressure of 1.5 - 4 psi) for my 1600 L bug , stock motor with new solex 34pic carby. i was going to mount the pump in the engine bay on the passenger side panel. i have an oil pressure switch to run it through
1. will that get to hot for it there ?
2. from previous threads i am gatheriong i don't need a regulator, is that right?

Cheers

Hi

If you look at the instruction sheet that came with the pump, there are special things you need to do, it needs to be lower than the tank and close to the tank, inside the engine bay is the worst place to fit it.

Steve

thanks - i will go looking for a spot under the tank

thanks again
yes i have got a oil pressure switch to cut off power if oil pressure drops.
i kinda figured that the engine bay may gat a bit hot as well for the pump
i will take advice and get a regulator about 2psi, if i can find one

cheers

just a few more silly questions
does the fuel pump need to be bfore the filter and does the regulator need to be close to the pump ?
cheers

doesnt matter where the reg is just as long as its before the carbs

definately put the filter before the pump
electric pump have a habit of stopping at inconvenient times when rust flakes from the tank try to go through them

thanks
i would love a copy of the circut diagram just to make sure i am doing it right.

i have a pressure regulator from local speed shoop dial up the pressure frpm 0.5 to 5 psi and i think it will end up in the engine bay.

it is tight under the tank to find a spot for the pump. will they work mounted on their side to the viertical wall or do they have to be flat
cheers

Here's a link that uses a normal switching relay off the charge light circuit.

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~107789~PN~5 

got the fuel pump all done and fitted under the tank near the filter, i ended up getting an aftermarket regulator that was adjustable 0 - 5 psi !!!!!!! turns out it was adjustable 0 -0, it completely blocked all fuel flow. so i threw it back to the shop. trying it without one for a while and see.

huge improvement in the bug, though that may also be due to the new carby and manifolds as well

thanks all for your advice, it is reallly great being part of the vw family

cheers

I've had an idea...

As has been said, the relay can run from the charge light circuit so the pump will cut out if the engine stops.
I read somewhere that someone also put a relay by-pass push-button switch on the dash so they can fill the carb before starting the car. My idea is: instead of using a relay by-pass switch, use a second relay that runs from the starter motor circuit to fill the carb while cranking.

Am I mad?

The link I posted above does that as well, but all with the one relay. You can buy them at Repco for about $13

Good info above. Thanks Joel.

My thanks Joel as well.

I'm using a tacho relay from a VK Dunnydoor. Works a treat even though my relay's primer function seems to be buggered.

Recently i ended up with a tacho relay used in LPG systems. Looks like it would do the job pretty much as well, so even though it isn't pin compatible I have a spare if I need it.

Any electric fuel pump installation i do, I run the power through an oil pressure switch, "No oil pressure, No fuel pressure" A 12V shut off valve is a good bonus too

That's all well and good on a fresh engine but one that's got a few miles under it's belt can take a few seconds to get oil pressure and when hot the oil light can flicker at idle which can upset the relay or worse yet cut the fuel pump out.
not fun when you're sitting at traffic lights.

It's so easy to get a tachometric fuel pump relay, nearly all fuel injected cars use them.
I had one from a Commodore and it was great, it primed the pump for 2 secs when you turned the ignition on then waited for a tacho signal before it ran again and stopped soon as the tach signal stopped.

i rekon having that tachometer based switch or charge light off the alternator is the way to go,

but have an override momentary push button that you hold while cranking to 'prime' then of course the alternator or tacho goes and u let go of the override then technically it should run itself :P