Can the mechanical fuel pump be left on temporarily after installing an electric lift pump?

[headhunter38]

Im installing a facet duralift pump in my 7.3. My question is can the mechanical fuel pump be left on unplumbed temporarily? Without fuel running through it to keep temperature down could the diaphragm overheat and fail puking engine oil out the side? Id really rather not find out while driving down the freeway lol. I have ordered a block off plate and its taking longer than I expected to arrive. I know I could make one, but then I would be left with the one I ordered and nothing to do with it.

 

[mike k]

Id just wait for the block off no reason to try and test the waters and just make sure the pump doesn't put out more than 7 psi otherwise it can mess with your internal advance

 

[Kdo58]

Most auto parts sell them, for big block chevy

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I've been running one that's not plumbed into the fuel system since December. No problems yet.

 

[Reggie f250]

I left my dead fuel pump on my engine for 3 years before oil started coming out of it. It wasn't much at all. I lost more oil out of my valve covers.

 

[franklin2]

I also ran a electric pump with the old mech pump still installed, no connection to it. It makes a little noise but no problems otherwise. I did finally take it off.

 

[headhunter38]

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up just waiting for the block off plate. If I get another truck in the future I won't think twice about leaving the mechanical pump on temporarily if I have to. Sounds like its not a big deal based on several of your guys experiences.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I've left a mechanical pump in place for quite a while. Probably won't bother to replace it with a block off plate until next time I pull the engine.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Probably won't bother to replace it with a block off plate until next time I pull the engine.

That's kind of my thinking as well.