I've almost got a Holley Blue pump won on Ebay and I was wondering if I had to upgrade my fuel return line to deal with the extra pressure/flow of this Holley pump?

Thanks,

 

which carb are you using?

 

Stock for now. If I manage to scrape together some extra coin, I'll be springing for a Sterling carb.

 

extra fuel isnt going to help you out with a stock carb really, its all just going into the stock regulator which will even it out.

if you still need a stock pump, i have one i can sell you

 

Moses, what's the psi of that pump?
If you're planning on getting any carb upgrade you should get a regulator anyway. The Holley 4 lb regulator (same casting as the Carter 4 psi, I believe) is what I recommend.
I run my modded carb @ 3.75 psi, never lean out even when I'm being really really bad (crossing that dreaded 8.4K RPM limit), and I get a nice 12.5 MPG, so the fuel's certainly on tap.
That's with a loud-*** Carter 7 lber.

The stock "regulator" is little more than a surge control meant to keep pressure consistant. The stock pump puts out anywhere from 5-7 psi new, but not high volume.
All the stock built-in regulator is is a cross drilled hole inside the main inlet that allows excess pressure to be relieved into the return line.
Earlier Nikkis speced for 3.75 psi have a larger diameter relief hole than the later Nikkis speced to run 4.25 psi.

The question of whether to deadhead or not was always one I couldn't answer very well even in theory, nor could I ever find a satisfying answer to, so I simply tried it. I've been running return line-free for over a year with no problems, but like I say, that's with the Holley (diaphragm style) regulator. It keeps the pressure the needles see at whatever you set it at, where the built-in regulator in the Nikki allows the needles to see whatever maximum pressure can get through.
The built-in Nikki regulator is clearly meant to work correctly given the pressure never exceeds whatever the stock pump puts out.

 

I believe the Holley blue is set at 14psi at the factory so a regulator will be needed no matter what. Right? Or can you just blast it back through the return line.

 

I just installed a holley blue with a holley regulator. FWIW, I left the return line in place. I looked at pics of others' setups, vipernicus for example, and it looked like some leave the return line in place and others, like Sterling, don't. I did read a long argument about whether it should or shouldn't be there. I figured it wouldn't hurt. Look at the installation docs at holley.com. The ones I have don't specify a return line.

 

You really don't want the carb subject to any more pressure than it actually needs to supply fuel.

 

I suspect the regulator that comes with this pump will only allow me to get the PSI down around 4. If I want to get lower than that, I'll have to get another regulator. I think that if I get the PSI down to 4 and keep the return line on the carb, I should be fine, no?

I was also worried about the hard return line going back to the tank, will it cause a restriction and up the PSI even with a regulator?

And Sterling, you get 12.5 MPG on the carb you offer to the public, or is yours even more hardcore than the one you have for sale?

 

If you're buying the holley blue, it comes with the holley reg that goes down to 4 PSI. It's the same regulator as the "low pressure" regulator you can buy separately. Buy the regulator rebuild kit (about $5 US) and it comes with springs for the "low pressure" and "high pressure" applications. That's the only difference. You'll want to use the "low pressure" spring, the red one IIRC. No need to buy another regulator.

 

You will still have the added expense of a fuel pressure gauge to add to the regulator.

 

4psi w/the return line will be fine.
The return won't be a pressure concern.

The Sterling Carb can be jetted for whatever you need from a carburetor. I have mine jetted to kill, and I shift consistantly @ 7K+ RPM. I drive it like a lunatic.

You can jet the fuel and air bleeds very conservatively, in theory, and probably achieve 28 MPG, though I have not tested this.
The Sterling Carb is shipped with a few jets to play with, as well as a refurbished vacuum secondary box. Reinstallation of the factory vacuum secondary operation is a snap; Remove rubber plug, screw on box, hook up linkage, unscrew the other end of the shaft and flip a piece of linkage around, and reinsert the screw.

Orrrr, you can just jet it conservatively in the primaries and drive it carefully.

 

Pm'd ya on the sterling carb. And the Holley FPR can be modified to have a return. Pm me if ur interested.

 

i don't even run fuel return with my holley blue... there is not a need as long as you have a good regulator you should be fine. Stock fuel return should be perfectly fine.

 

Me neither

 

Hey Moses, can you do me a favor and take a few pics of it after you get it installed? I need to relocate my Red. Instructions say it is supposed to be mounted vertically, and it is rather tall compared to a carter for example.

 

vertical is ideal but the holley pumps can also be mounted horizontally. Thats what the VW guys are doing.