I would not use an automotive. No reason to take a chance. Get a marine pump.

 

Not being argumentative but can you explain why?

 

Everything "marine" is sealed and protected from emitting sparks or other ignition sources. If I was going to use something like a holley blue (or red, or black) it wouldn't be in the bilge were low lying fumes could ignite.

Same with starters and alternators, some things just aren't worth taking the chance with.

 

Good enough reason for me. Thanks guys for the input.

 

Holley makes a marine elec pump. I have one, I think it's red.
And like he said it's made different and it's Coast Guard certified which is
what you
http://www.jegs.com/i/Holley/510/712-801-1/10002/-1

 

Thanks for the link, LIDave.

 

UPDATE:
I pulled the electric fuel pump off thinking it was bad. Come to find out; it's not getting any power. I connected the pump straight to the battery and it works. The two wires that connect to the pump apparently aren't getting any power. I had my Fluke meter connected while turning over the motor and it registered 0 volts. One of the wires from the pump goes to what looks like the choke on the carburetor and the other disappears into the harness.
I'm not sure if there is a fuse directly for the fuel pump or not.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where and what to troubleshoot?
Thanks in advance.

 

When I had electric pumps I had a oil pressure cut off switch wired into the pumps. That way if the motor stalled, the pump would not keep going. That may be what the one going to the harness is. Is this a stock set up? If so what year?

 

My boat is an '89 Scarab 21'. As far as I know; it's pretty much stock, save the Edlebrock aluminum intake and Carb.
I've only had it out once this year (yeah, I know. Not enough) and it ran fine. That was over the 4th of July weekend. Last Thursday, I cleaned it up and went for a start in the driveway and that's when I first found out about the problem. I thought maybe someone had siphoned my gas even though my gas gauge read almost full. Drove down the gas station and topped off the boat with gas and returned home (It only held 9 gallons on the fill up). I tried starting again and it started. So, I got to thinking maybe it was vapor lock???? Took off for the lake the next day and it wouldn't start. I can pour gas directly down the throat of the carb and it will run.
Checked the fuel pump as stated in the above post. I guess I'm going to have to trace the other wire from the pump to see where it goes. Just doesn't make sense to me.

 

Stand back, I had a thought. If I have an electric choke; I'm assuming it has a hot wire going to it that works off the ignition. If the choke is bad and not letting the current pass to the fuel pump; this would cause the pump not to work. Is that a safe statement?
I didn't think of this last night when I was working on the boat. If noone chimes in; I'm going to bypass the choke and connect the two hot wires (choke and pump) and see if that will work.
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

If it is a stock '89, why does it have an electric pump. I thought all the old 350's had mechanical pumps?

That being said, did the pump used to run with the key switch on? That would mean it was wired directly to the ignition.

If wired corrrectly through an oil pressure switch, it would not turn on with the key on unless the engine was running, however it would turn on while cranking (oil switch bypassed)

Maybe someone took ignition switched power off the electric choke?

 

Not sure if the pump ran with key switch on. Never thought to check. Hell, I didn't even know it was supposed to run thru the oil pressure switch.
Everyones thoughts and ideas are giving me ideas as where to check and I appreciate it.
if anyone else has any suggestions; I'm here all day. Thanks.

 

When I was looking into a fuel pump for my 557 I considered an elec. pump but decided to go with a mechanical. Anyways... if I remember correctly the elec. pumps I researched had a fuse or relay to the pump wiring. I'm sure you've traced the wiring for the pump but could you have overlooked a bad fuse or relay?

 

Kidnova, yes, I could have missed a fuse or relay. I'll have to re-trace the wiring again. Thanks for the suggestion.