How to Fix an El Camino Fuel Pump (And Why the Internet Thinks We Did It Wrong)
Resurrecting The Meano Camino: Replacing a Dead Mechanical Fuel Pump (And Addressing the Internet Critics)
If you’ve been following The ROY Garage, you know we’ve been working hard on our 1981 El Camino. In this classic episode, we had one clear mission: get this piece of American iron running again.
We knew for a fact the factory mechanical fuel pump had finally given up the ghost because we could spray starting fluid directly into the carburetor and she would start right up. But the second the spray stopped, the engine would die—a textbook sign that the block was completely starved for gas. The solution? Swapping it out for a 12-volt micro electric fuel pump to see if we could bring this beast back to life.
Check out the full video below to watch the build unfold, see the road bumps we ran into, and listen to this baby rip!
The Plan: Finding a Spot for the Micro Pump
We jacked the El Camino up to look at our options underneath. Initially, we considered splicing it into the frame rail farther back, near the tank.
However, looking at the layout and realizing we really didn’t want to grind up the frame if we didn't have to, we made an executive garage decision: mount the fuel pump right up front in the engine compartment. We knew it was a bit high, and we knew if it didn't pull fuel properly, it would be back to the drawing board—but you don't know until you try!
Overcoming the Road Bumps (And Shaking Off the Comments)
After pulling the hose off the mechanical pump, getting our new lines prepped, and slipping on the hose clamps, it was time for a bench test. Jake hooked up the electronics to the 12-volt battery, and boom—a perfectly solid stream of fuel.
Of course, no project goes perfectly. On our first test run, we spotted a small drip coming right from the line connection. But a quick adjustment and a second hose clamp sorted the leak right out. With the carburetor full of fresh fuel, we turned the key... and she fired right up.
Now, if you scroll down to the YouTube comments on this video, you’ll see a ton of people pointing out that we installed the pump in the "wrong" location. And hey, we even pointed out in the video itself that it wasn't the textbook spot!
But here’s the reality of project cars: It’s not always about doing things perfectly by the book; it’s about making things work so you can get your project out of the garage and onto the road. Sure, the internet mechanics love to critique, but at the end of the day, it got the car running, brought the El Camino back to life, and hey—the controversy is great for channel engagement!
Gear Up for Your Next Project
Want to tackle a fuel pump swap on your own classic build? Here is the exact gear and equipment we used in the shop for this episode:
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The Fuel Pump: 12V Micro Electric Fuel Pump (Amazon Affiliate)
If you enjoyed this article, you may want to watch the next video in the series: Wiring Electric Fuel Pump with a Switch! Blog coming soon!
More About Our Mission and Our Brand!
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