Trojan Boat Forum

Anyone know if I can pick up a fuel pump for a 1990 crusader 7.4L at an auto store. Is there a marine specific pump? Looking to save some $$$ if possible. The carter pump for a crusader is nearly $200.00.

From what I understand the marine fuel pump is self contained. If it goes bad and leaks, the fuel is contained and no explosion hazard. Automotive fuel pumps, when they go bad, they leak onto the ground, or in the boat, into the bilge. Not good. This is for the mechanical pumps. With that being said, the two Captains in the next two slips from me went to in line automotive electric fuel pumps. No leak problems and they start pumping when the key is turned on so if boat has sat a while you don't have to crank for a while to prime the carbs. They have been using these for a number of years and both are charter boats and they both have passed wet and dry dock inspections. Just make sure you get the low pressure pumps for carbs and not the high pressure pumps for fuel injection. I am sure this may start discussions on why or why you can not use auto electric pumps. I would like to hear other opinions.

Well I do know that when the internal diaphragm is compromised, the pump will send fuel, via the clear vacuum tubing, back to the carburetor in lieu of the bilge. I am experiencing this now. I just didn't know if this is a specific set up for a marine specific mechanical pump, or something I can get cheaper at the local napa. As soon as you put "marine" on something, it doubles the price.

That overflow feature is the "marine" part so not really any options here. You won't find that feature on the same 454 car variety.

Figures

When I replaced my 20+ year old fuel pumps ten years ago, I got the correct fuel pumps from NAPA.

We did a crossover of the part numbers.

Far less costly than from a "marine" source.

RWS

RWS wrote:When I replaced my 20+ year old fuel pumps ten years ago, I got the correct fuel pumps from NAPA.

We did a crossover of the part numbers.

Far less costly than from a "marine" source.

RWS

We're back in business....

No auto version. It's a marine pump but available at auto parts outlets. If not in stock, they can order them. Napa can get them.

Yes, Napa can order them for you. Source a lot of marine parts from Napa. If you call most shops by 9AM, they will have them shipped from the warehouse to them by 4PM or so, and if not, they come the next morning.

That said, I have also converted boats to the electric fuel pumps. They make a marine rated one (again sold at NAPA) that has a plastic housing. It only runs about $50. Howeverr, as a bit of advise, do NOT connected them directly to the ignition switch! If you do, you can run the risk of going Boom! What is required in all installations (Marine or automotive replacement) for safety is that you wire them in series with an oil pressure switch. Many marine engines already have low oil pressure idiot lot or buzzer at the helm so you you simple just need to add the pump to this circuit. When wired correctly, you will turn on the key. When you start to turn over the engine, the fuel pump will start to pump. IF the engine stalls, the oil pressure drops, and the fuel pump stops.

If you want the prime feature, they do sell a 5 second relay that you can buy that will activate the pump for 5 seconds each time you turn on the key. To get it to run again, you have to turn the key off and back on again. The outputs of the relay bascially go accross the oil pressure switch. Its a neat feature, but I've never needed it and it just seemed like something else to go wrong (and they are about $65 the last I checked).

Hooking up to the pressure switch is an ABYC and Coast Guard requirement.