Back Electrical Fuel Pump O-540 with Carb

A

Airplane3472

Member
What pump is being used as a backup electrical fuel pump on a 4 place with Lycoming O-540 with Carburetor? The engine has a engine driven fuel fuel pump installed but need backup electrical. Trying to maintain the 3/8 tubing size and most low perssure 4-7psi (for carburetor) Facet pumps all seem to have the smaller 1/8" fitting size. Any suggestions?
 
You might try the facet pumps that are cylindrical-shaped instead of the cubes, since they stopped making the cube that we need.
 
Since the wings are well above the carburetor: Would abandoning the mechanical fuel pump and going gravity feed to the carburetor be an option? I think many Bearhawks are flying with that configuration.
My setup is mechanical fuel injection, IO-540, so an electric boost pump is required. I bought an EFII setup (pump, bypass valve, and prefilter) from Virgil for that.
 
I just added a mechanical fuel pump back onto the engine accessory case. My airplane will be flown primarily in Alaska to off pavement landing areas (lots of bumps, etc.) so I went back with a fuel pump setup to ensure consistent fuel flow. Seems to be two schools of thought. Gravity is simplest (which I like). The other idea is the fuel pump could help with consistent fuel flow when landing on river banks or rough terrain when fuel tanks are not full. I originally went with the gravity setup but after talking to a number of certified mechanics and lodge owners/pilots in AK, they talked me into to adding mechanical and electrical (backup) fuel pumps. I am this far now so will probably try one of the cylindrical-shaped Facet pumps that Jared recommended.
 
Airplane3472 said:
I just added a mechanical fuel pump back onto the engine accessory case. My airplane will be flown primarily in Alaska to off pavement landing areas (lots of bumps, etc.) so I went back with a fuel pump setup to ensure consistent fuel flow. Seems to be two schools of thought. Gravity is simplest (which I like). The other idea is the fuel pump could help with consistent fuel flow when landing on river banks or rough terrain when fuel tanks are not full. I originally went with the gravity setup but after talking to a number of certified mechanics and lodge owners/pilots in AK, they talked me into to adding mechanical and electrical (backup) fuel pumps. I am this far now so will probably try one of the cylindrical-shaped Facet pumps that Jared recommended.
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It's still gravity feed to the inlet of the fuel pump, and only a 3/8" stand pipe at that. If jostling around off airport will unport your carb that has a float bowl, you will absolutely unport the fuel pump.

But the good news is with 4ft of head above it, you won't.

I highly recommend 1/2in lines to anyone with a carb to not need the pumps.
 
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