Testing one of the benefits to having two fuel pickups.....

[dcdoug]

As most of you probably know, the original cobras had both a mechanical fuel pump and twin electric fuel pumps with separate pick-ups. I have been told that one of the purposes for this set-up was to provide drivers with a fuel "reserve" since they only had a fuel pressure gauge and not a fuel level gauge. (I'm sure the other was the additional fuel pressure that the electrics provide over the mechanical for sustained WOT driving).

The CSX 4000/6000 cars are set up the same way. So I decided to test it this AM (unintentionally). I was driving up a hill this AM when my motor sputtered and died (maybe the mechanical pick-up is in the front of the tank, I don't know). I knew I was low on gas (I actually have a fuel level gauge ), but figured I'd get gas where I was going as the gauge was showing about 1/4 tank (yes I know they are not accurate). I had a friend that was going to meet me who would be coming the same way, so I figured he could give me a ride.

As I sat there waiting and hoping no idiot would hit me (very small shoulder on the road), a light bulb went on and I remembered the electric fuel pumps and the theory about the lower pick-up and the "reserve". (I normally drive on just the mechanical pump). So I flicked the switch, waited a few seconds and fired it right up and drove straight to the closest gas station.

So now I know that it works and I don't plan on testing it again.....but thought I'd share, just in case anyone wondered about it.