I’m sure an after market in-line pump would run a 3.1 Chev engine, as long as the pump installed can produce the required pressures. My concern would be the volume of fuel that can be delivered to the engine; due to the original in-tank pump restricting fuel flow?
So I think you may have to remove the original pump and fabricate some sort of a fuel pickup tube.
Yes the pump would or should be located as close as possible to the tank. Most centrifugal pumps, suck when it comes to sucking but can blow like nobodies business. LOL
For this to be the second pump to fail in one year; there has to be something causing them to fail?
Like Tom has said, constantly running the vehicle with a tank at or close too empty can cause premature failures; the fuel is what cools & lubricates the pump.
Here are a few other things that I’ve seen cause repeat pump failures.
• Was the fuel tank cleaned during the process of replacing the pump(s)?
Microscopic particles of dirt in the tank will act as an abrasive and wear out the pump’s impeller or cause it to bind. This dirt will also accumulate inside the electrical portion of the pump; causing the pump’s motor to bind and draw extra current (electricity) to motor (turn), making the pump assembly run hot and burn out.
• How clean were the hands that replaced the pump?
One thing a lot of people (including technicians) do not assonate with the automotive repair field is cleanliness. A grimy pair of hands, working on a fuel system, is certain death to a fuel pump.
• What fuel do you regularly run in this vehicle?
If by chance you’re burning fuel that has a high content of Ethanol, could be causing the plastics in the pump to melt or become deformed; anything above 15% could be considered high. If you are burning Ethanol, make sure that the replacement pumps are E85 (85% Ethanol) compatible.
• The last thing I can think of to cause repeat failures; are you 100% sure that the pumps are actually at fault?
A poor connection anywhere in the circuit may cause a person to misdiagnose the problem as a pump. During the course of the pump’s replacement; the wiring harness & the related connectors have to be disturbed/disconnected. Which may inadvertently correct the connection problem, for a short period of time?
Like I said two pumps in one year; I would stand back and have a look at the environment these pumps are placed in. Or never go to Vegas because you’re not a very lucky person. LOL
Dan