I recently bought a Holley electric fuel pump blue series rated at 14 psi. Included in the box was the supplied fuel regulator. This is being used in an S10v8 project with a 4bbl carb. I normally use a 7psi f/pump for street use but this was sold at a deal from a friend. Not sure if normal but the fuel pump gets pretty hot after several minutes of use. My question is that the fuel pressure regulator that came with this pump does not have a return port. It must be ok if Holley has sold thousands of these together. I'm just wondering if the pump is fighting it self because my fuel demand is so low. Is the pump suppose to get pretty hot and do you think I should get the by-pass style regulator since my 350 is bone stock?

 

I would go with a return style regulator. As you guessed, the pump is being held back because it is trying to pump more than the regulator will allow through. With a return, any fuel not passing through the regulator, returns back to the tank. The electric pump will pump at a more consistent rate, should run cooler, and will last longer.

 

The return line is also a good way to avoid vapor lock in case you have a lot of heat under the hood.

 

Ok thanks, wow those bypass style regulators sure aren't cheap though.

 

Is $85 and up cheap enough?
Pressure Regulators from Summit

 

Ok sorry to revive this old post but I haven't had much time and $$ to work on this project. B4 I buy a bypass type of regulator, I'd like your input if this would work with the fuel regulator I already have. What if I ran the fuel pump "OUT" port line directly to the carb but put a tee in between that would go to the "IN" port of the fuel regulator, then run the fuel regulator "OUT" port to my return line? I would put a fuel press. gauge at my carb and adjust the regulator until I get my 5-7 psi. You think it will work?

 

At first I thought it may work. I know what you're thinking, the regulator might act as a "relief valve"?
I had to sketch it out to get your concept straight. No, that won't work. Draw your schematic out and look at it.
How much psi is coming from the fuel pump? 14.
How much to the inlet of the carb? 14.
How much to the inlet of the regulator? 14.
The pressure is being stepped down inside the regulator. The only lower psi point would be from the outlet of the regulator.

 

your right, I was thinking of using it as an "adjustable" relief valve. But let me throw one more thought before I do what you originally suggested. If I were to unscrew the regulator spring to the point where almost all of the fuel is returning back? thanks.