electric fuel pump recomendations for 200 hp merc carbed

**coffeeguy** · 09-06-2025, 03:03 PM

I have a 89 200 hp with wh46's . Have a Carter 4070 in the boat so about a 3 ft head , no return line . It gets 5 psi at idle but when over 300 psi drops to around 3psi and above 4000 the pressure gauge needle is all over moving wildly from just above 0 to just less then 3 psi. When I did a volume test it was putting out about 1/2-3/4 gal per minute. I am thinking I am running out for fuel up top. It will pull about 5500 . same combination would pull 6800 with a non-discript fuel pump , that didn't last long . I am thinking it can't keep up. Should I be looking at a Quick Fuel DFT 125 or Holley Blue ? Should I then run a return line. I am using a AEM regulator

**mercrazy** · 09-06-2025, 03:48 PM

Why do you need electric pump?

**skialot2** · 09-06-2025, 04:10 PM

Put the stock pulse pump back on it. It pumps plenty of fuel for that motor. Their is no performance advantage from removing the pulse pump.

**coffeeguy** · 09-06-2025, 04:54 PM

Front is 1980 225 and the pump is NLA

**mercrazy** · 09-06-2025, 05:00 PM

Just put a diaphragm kit in it.

**pkstv** · 09-06-2025, 06:20 PM

Holly red . No regulator should work just fine

**tlwjkw** · 09-07-2025, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by skialot2

Put the stock pulse pump back on it. It pumps plenty of fuel for that motor. Their is no performance advantage from removing the pulse pump.

some (like me) are jus plain lazy.......

**pcrussell50** · 09-07-2025, 09:54 AM

Slight thread hi-jack…

I have the exact same motor as the OP: 1990 2.4/200, WH-46s, square style pulse pump. Had it for three years. Rebuilt the pulse pump three years ago when I got the motor simply because I didn’t know its status.

Question: How often should it be pulled apart for inspection and/or rebuild?

-Peter

**pcrussell50** · 09-07-2025, 10:48 AM

Duplicate deleted sorry

**coffeeguy** · 09-07-2025, 02:08 PM

1980/81 225hp is different and kit is nla

**mercrazy** · 09-07-2025, 02:41 PM

If it’s the figure 8 style, there a sierra kit on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/23359602738...Bk9SR_Cp1tqkZg

**hydra-sports** · 09-08-2025, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by pkstv

Holly red . No regulator should work just fine

I disagree. the holly without a regulator puts out 7psi, plus you will need a return line to tank otherwise the gas will overheat in the pump

**skialot2** · 09-08-2025, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by hydra-sports

I disagree. the holly without a regulator puts out 7psi, plus you will need a return line to tank otherwise the gas will overheat in the pump

Holley red pump has been used for decades without a regulator. The pulse pump pushes higher pressure, I know I had a red pump for years without a regulator.

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**tlwjkw** · 09-09-2025, 01:23 AM

[QUOTE=skialot2;3454611]Holley red pump has been used for decades without a regulator. The pulse pump pushes higher pressure, I know I had a red pump for years without a regulator.QUOTE=skialot2;3454611]

agree... all i ran on 90% of all carb motors (both production and hi perf.) i've had in my possession for as long as i can remember.. no reg.. no return!... but thats jus me.

**pcrussell50** · 09-15-2025, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by skialot2

Holley red pump has been used for decades without a regulator. The pulse pump pushes higher pressure, I know I had a red pump for years without a regulator.

Are you saying that you leave the pulse pump in place and just have the Holley red pump from the tank, to the pulse pump?

For now, I'm perfectly happy with my primer buib and pulse pump, but I'd still like to get this squared in my head in case plans change down the road.

-Peter