I think I will get one of those . I have converted to elec wipers and dont need the vacuum port. Thanks

55Birdman  Hickory NC

This is the Airtex 362 pump for a 428 FE motor - installed in my bird. No vacuum wipers. Base unit had to be "clocked" to the position shown. I used a short rubber "jumper" from the factory fuel line.

I believe Gary (Speedpro56) had one of these go away on him at an in-opportune moment - so brand advice may be needed. Perhaps the Holley version of this pump is the way to go if you want the higher volume. 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Thanks for input. I think I will stick with a mechanical pump. I just dont have a lot of faith in the electrical ones.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

The replacement pumps for Birds are actually pumps designed for '61-'63 Fords with vacuum wipers, and as noted, have different locations for the fittings.  The deep canister pumps would indeed have clearance problems in Birds, even the old glass bowl pumps for passenger cars would not work on a Bird.  The '61 pumps are still available at local parts stores, somewhere around $60, I think.

On the electric pump issue, the guys in the Studebaker club highly recommend installing a crash sensitive switch in the pump circuit so that if something terrible happens, the pump will stop running and not keep dumping fuel.  Not a bad idea.  Modern cars use such switches since they have no mechanical pumps.  If the switch becomes disabled, it can be manually reset.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I figured, but the one that came off was at like 5 and 6 oclock, the replacement at 5 and 8 oclock and reversed inlet/outlett. Not sure which  is right, but like to know.

You can "clock" them- Take out all the screws around the perimeter, spin the "top" (the piece with the inlet/ outlet) to where you need it, and then put all the screws back in and tighten... /Duck

BOO- YA!!!

I want to add to this, just replaced the pump on our 57 bird with one from Concourse parts and found the inlet and outlet to be reversed and farther apart than the one that was on it. It was stamped Fordmoco, now the inlet is at the front and had to make a new fuel line to the glass bowl filter. Just wondered if anyone else has run into this and which one is really correct, it has vacuum wipers on top as well.

I have a mech. pump on my truck and it works fine, don't see the need for an electric one. On the other hand my MG has no place for a mech. pump so I have to run electric. Originally it had a diaphragm type (Lucas ) but it would fail on a regular basis. Now I have a modern aftermarket centrifugal type, been working for at least 10 years.

Remember;    Electric pumps push better than they pull.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

I think he would run into clearance issues with a bottom filter style pump in a Thunderbird, wouldn't he? /Duck

BOO- YA!!!

While a lot of people may have good long term results with electric pumps, I have found them some what lacking in long tern use. I prefer the mechanical pump as these usually last longer. Unless you are running a high performance, get the pump from a 360 CI truck - the right one has a cannister type filter on the bottom.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ