I've decided to take Heisenberg’s lead and install a secondary inline backup pump connected to a dash mounted toggle switch. That way if and when the factory pump finally fails I’ll just switch on the backup pump. As far as costs go, by the time I’ve purchased the pump and fittings I might be into it for $100 and maybe an hour of my installation time. Not bad for the redundancy it affords. Who knows, though the engine ran very well going over Tejon Pass it was probably sucking gas to the tune of 2mpg or less, it may be nice having a backup pump running during a similar future situation. Like my late wife used to say “If some is good more is better!”
Along with an answer to my original question, I’ve gotten some wonderful bonus information from this thread. Thanks to comments from PUCampin my starter is finally working great after installing a dedicated engine ground, my alternator seems to be working more efficiently too. Though I didn’t want to spend the money, after ptl_10’s remarks I’ve decided to replace my coil (along with the plug wires, distributer cap and rotor) and maybe it’ll get rid of that slight engine hesitation I’ve been living with and keep it from getting worse in the future.
Man o’ man, you guys ROCK!
Steve
