Fuel Pump Ground

169mph · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2020, 10:54 PM

I’m a new owner of a Backdraft Cobra with a Roush 427IR. Had the car less than a week and it died on me while cruising around. It wouldn’t restart. Ended up getting a tow back to the house. I isolated the problem to the in tank fuel pump. I had power to the pump but couldn’t hear it running. I pulled the pump and found the ground wasn’t connected to the pump. Easy fix. But now that I have the pump out do y’all recommend swapping the pump out? It has a Walbro. The inlet screen is pretty dirty but pump sounds strong. The car is a year old with 2100 miles. No history of fuel problems.

Thanks for the advice.
Mike

spdbrake · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2020, 10:57 AM

You are extremely lucky.

If that loose connection was in the tank as you described, One spark in Vapor and you would not be here....

Most folks use Tanks.inc.com and they use Walbro pumps.
https://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/p...rod/prd609.htm

Ideally any electrical (load) connections should be made outside the tank.

Personally, I would seal any cannon plug front and back-shell and wiring connections with Pro-seal AMS-8802 fuel cell sealant.
SEALANTS PRODUCTS BY PPG FOR THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY - PPG Industries - Aerospace

Chemseal is cheaper to purchase than PPG sealant.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...IaAjCbEALw_wcB

169mph · #3 (**permalink**) 09-14-2020, 08:15 PM

I appreciate the response. I agree the set up isnt ideal but without oxygen ingress I'm not too worried about the tank exploding. Too rich. The set up i have uses a stud through the top plate and ring terminals on each side i plan to replace the fuel pump with a aeromotive stealth 340 which has plug connectors. I plan to run the hot and ground wires though the top plate instead of using the studs. Im not sure how best to do this..

Thanks again for the response

RallySnake · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2020, 09:20 PM

While you have the tank open, you might think about installing a second Walbro pump. I have been broken down several times by failed electric fuel pumps.

For the last 30 years, I have always had a second fuel pump in my Cobra and that has saved me several rides on flat bed wreckers.

RS