<VV> The Eternal Mechanical vs Electrical Fuel Pump Question

[Dennis Pleau]

I've heard all this about manual switches and such to allow the oil pressure
switches to be bypassed.  I never put in a manual switch for this reason.  I
like the idea of cranking the engine and building up oil pressure before
supplying the fuel to start the engine.  I usually crank the engine until
the light goes out and then stop and listen to the fuel pump run.  When it
stops I start cranking again and it starts.  I know the oil has been primed.
I do keep a jumper wire so I can bypass the oil pressure switch if I have a
reason to want to run the pump without oil pressure.  I've never found a
reason to use it.

On my Greenbrier I have both and electric pump operated from a toggle switch
below the dashboard and a mechanical pump.  The previous owner installed the
electric pump. He owned about 80 GM collector cars, all drivers.  Often his
cars sit for months or years between being driven and the electric allowed
them to get started easily.  

The best use I found for it was on a run where we had climbed a pretty steep
hill and stopped at a rest stop for a potty break.  Just as I pulled back on
the highway, the mechanical pump vapor locked.  I hit the toggle and the
engine refired  within seconds.  It was worth its weight in gold that day..

dp