Boy does that remind me of the OLD holley fuel pump, that I wish Holley still made.

I'm going to order one of those baker pumps but in 15 psi and use a return regulator to set the fuel psi.

I got one a brand new one from Amazon and it lasted one weekend. Could be just my luck thou I know Mild runs em without issues.
New set up is going to be regulated.

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...arts/12-454-25

These are what I run. Pre-set 7.5psi pressure. 170 gph. I still use a regulated return system back to tank.

Is there any good way to bench test these pumps? I have one of the old Holley six-valve versions - was working fine when I took it off my old 454. I did notice that the lever is damn well impossible to push down manually - are they all like this?

Yes. Extremely hard to pushdown.

What he said ^^^

I have a Clay Smith 6 valve pump and it wears down the push rod pretty quick. It to is very hard to push the lever down.

Those the higher psi ones ? Is it wearing the bronze tip?

Yes, I just throw a new push rod in at the beginning of the season. If I let it go too long it makes it too hard to get out. Also I don't want it to dig into the cam.