Hi folks. I am tired of replacing my fuel pump in my broken module assembly in the tank on my Dakota. It is a 1988 LE with the 3.9 V6 and TBI. The plastic framework itself is broken and replacements are not available. I am planning on getting a frame rail mounted fuel pump from Summit and a generic type level meter to install in the tank. Should I be looking at an exterior pump rated at 70psi? Or will that be too much pressure? .

 

70 will be a bit excessive; but if you make sure the regulator on the TBI is OK, it should be OK since the TBI wants 14.5PSI.

RwP

 

Wow. Didn't know that. I couldn't find the info when doing a Google search. Thanks. There is a pump available rated at 30psi which should be a much better match, I hope.

 

Well, strangely enough, that 14.5PSI is in the factory service manual .... which I highly HIGHLY recommend having to hand!

However, if you're ever going to replace that motor with a EFI motor, you'll want higher PSI than 30; and it's a bypass regulator, so excess pressure, as long as it doesn't overdrive the regulator, will be fine (it'll just shunt back into the tank).

RwP

 

Not ever going to replace the motor. When this engine starts blowing smoke then it's the end of the line. I will have owned it ten years this August. Bought it when it was only 20 years old. This truck doesn't owe me a thing. Got my money's worth long ago. I think I will go ahead and order the 30psi pump. And maybe try to find a service manual if I can get one online cheap.

 

That may depend on your definition of "cheap"; RockAuto has the electronic version for under $23 ( https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...r+manual,10335 ) and the paper under $50. You can also sometimes find them used on Ebay.

RwP

 

Sounds like a better deal than some I have looked at. Anyway, I actually found an inline pump made by Airtex for throttle body injection running about 17-20 psi and a bit lower flow.

 

One thing to keep in mind - the regulator at the TBI is a bypass regulator, you will STILL need a return fuel flow path for it.

RwP

 

OK thanks again.

 

Unless you enjoy swapping fuel pumps, skip Air tex. They have an absolutely horrid reputation, and EVERY single one I have installed failed in less than a year. (so I stopped installing them after the third one came back.)