NA5KAR
08-08-2021, 08:12 PM
As a novice, I don’t often get to share something innovative or something that might help someone else, but when I can, I’m very happy to do it. My Mk-4 build is moving forward again, and I’m getting ready for ‘first start’ in a few days. I finally got my brakes bled properly and I’m running through all the details before I turn the key. So, my project today was mounting the fuel pump. My engine is a Blueprint 302 with a Holley Sniper. I also purchased the Holley external fuel pump for the Sniper. Johnny, from Blueprint sent me his FAQ sheet with answers to tons of questions about the engine, installation, etc. There was a section about the fuel pump, which said that it should be installed horizontally, close to the fuel tank, and at the same level as the bottom of the tank. There was an example of where to install it if you have an IRS, but my car has a solid axle. I’m not great with the search feature in this forum, so I didn’t find options for me. Instead, I engineered my own. I also have the FF Metals drop battery box. That was where I started.
I bought a 12 x 24 steel plate from Home Depot ($23). I had a piece of angle iron (1 ½” x 1 ½” x 3/16”) in the garage. The steel plate was 12” wide (the width of the battery box), and I cut it to 9” tall. The angle iron was also cut to 12” long. I drilled two holes in the angle iron to match up to unused holes in the battery box. Then three more holes on the other face of the angle to receive the flat steel plate. I made three holes on the steel plate to match up to the angle piece. Finally, I drilled two holes 2 ¼” up from the bottom of the steel plate. Those are for the clamps that hold the fuel pump. I rounded the corners of the plate so I wouldn’t get poked during installation. I sanded, cleaned, primed (2x) and painted both pieces. The assembly is best explained in the pics below. When tightened using nylon lock nuts, the plate is very rigid. As mounted, the center of the fuel pump is ¼” below the bottom of the fuel tank. The whole fuel pump / filters structure is directly behind the differential, so it should be protected.
I know that this project might only benefit those with a solid axle, battery box, and a Holley external fuel pump for the Sniper, but if it helps one builder, I’m glad to help.
I bought a 12 x 24 steel plate from Home Depot ($23). I had a piece of angle iron (1 ½” x 1 ½” x 3/16”) in the garage. The steel plate was 12” wide (the width of the battery box), and I cut it to 9” tall. The angle iron was also cut to 12” long. I drilled two holes in the angle iron to match up to unused holes in the battery box. Then three more holes on the other face of the angle to receive the flat steel plate. I made three holes on the steel plate to match up to the angle piece. Finally, I drilled two holes 2 ¼” up from the bottom of the steel plate. Those are for the clamps that hold the fuel pump. I rounded the corners of the plate so I wouldn’t get poked during installation. I sanded, cleaned, primed (2x) and painted both pieces. The assembly is best explained in the pics below. When tightened using nylon lock nuts, the plate is very rigid. As mounted, the center of the fuel pump is ¼” below the bottom of the fuel tank. The whole fuel pump / filters structure is directly behind the differential, so it should be protected.
I know that this project might only benefit those with a solid axle, battery box, and a Holley external fuel pump for the Sniper, but if it helps one builder, I’m glad to help.