[TwistedRick]

Can you run a newer style stock pump with the return line plugged?
My 67 tank does not use one.
Could this cause to much fuel pressure flooding the engine?
Thanks in advance!

[78w72]

cant say for sure if you can plug the return... but they make good pumps that have no vapor/return lines. edelbrock & robbmc are 2 ive used with good results.

[TwistedRick]

I just found this on another site.

"Otherwise the pump can be replaced with a non return type. Do not attempt to plug the return line fitting, the pump will flood your carburetor. "

[Schurkey]

Plugging the return is no problem IF the pump will produce proper pressure.

The critical factor is the pressure, not whether the return fitting is plugged or not.

[Cliff R]

Correct, but I don't recommend plugging one with a rubber cap and clamp, or the frequently used fuel line with a bolt stuffed in it then a hose clamp over it.

You are on the pressure side of the pump, so make sure if you don't use the return to have it plugged effectively so you don't burn you pride and joy to the ground!....Cliff

[Bill Hanlon]

I had a fuel pump on my daily driver '57 GMC (original Pontiac 347) fail in the boondocks. Only nearby replacement pump was one with a return line. I plugged the return line using Cliff's disapproved "fuel line with a bolt stuffed in it then a hose clamp over it." It was still working well many years later when the truck was totaled after being T-boned and rolled.

[TwistedRick]

Do they make a deep pump without a return?
Changing from the stock pump to the deep solved my fuel starvation problem.
But plugging the return does bother me.

[steve25]

I can't see how it s possible that plugging the return port increases fuel pressure in any major way , I see it only increasing fuel volume and increasing the chance for vapor lock on restart from a hot shut down.

[TwistedRick]

I broke down and bought a new fuel pickup with the 1/4 return and a return line. Hopefully this helps my hard start when hot issue. I was always under the impression the return line was a pollution control addition. But after research and this site, it seems the line was added due to methanol mixed fuel and vapor lock. I can also remove the plug on my fuel pump, thanks Cliff.

[Overkillphil]

Years ago I had to do an emergency repair out of town. I also had coincidently been experiencing some fuel starvation issues during WOT. I swapped pumps and had to deal with the return port but I had no return line on the car anymore. Having the same concerns as you, rather than plugging the return port, I decided to improvise and add a "tee" on the suction line just before the pump (coming from the tank). I then connected a short hose from the return port to the "tee". The fuel from the return port now went to the suction line and got added to the incoming fuel from the tank.

Oddly, my fuel starvation problem vanished as an unexpected bonus.

[TwistedRick]

I too was having starvation issues at WOT. I replaced the stock pump with a 1970 deep one and it worked. I am still having hot start issues. Hoping the return line will help.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by TwistedRick

it seems the line was added due to methanol mixed fuel and vapor lock.

Typically used on vehicles with Air Conditioning, the added heat and load created vapor lock problems. This happened long before alcohol in gasoline became popular.