Expert: Mike Evans - 5/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Fuel pump not recieving power. Everything traced and connected? Need help!!!

ANSWER:      The 1969 riviera had a mechanical fuel pump, not an electrical one.  If someone has converted this car to electric pump it was a bad idea.  Find the correct mechanical pump and install it, then you won't have any more problems.

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QUESTION: What I'm being told is that the 1969 and 1970 Buick Riviera actually was built with a electric fuel pump.

Answer
    I suppose that's possible, they do list a universal electric pump along with the mechanical pump.  I still can't think of a good reason to do that, though, unless there is a space problem under the hood.  These cars certainly don't need electric pumps, although GM was experimenting with electric pumps around this time.  The Vega had an electric pump in all models.  There was a switch on the engine that prevented the pump from running when there was no oil pressure.  It was mounted in place of the original oil pressure switch.  If the switch is bad, this might be your problem.  There should also be a relay, although this early car might not use one.