The bucket type fuel pump design was to keep a supply of un-aireated fuel to reduce loss of volume resulting in a drop of pressure. Depending on the year, they would use a high pressure bleed from the pump, to run a small tube into a brass venturi nozzle encased in plastic on the bottom inside the bucket. This creates a vacuum to pull fuel off the bottom of the tank into the bucket to surround the pump. This helps avoid the mis-fire counter and check engine light. Take a pocket flat blade screw driver to the three tabs on the buckets top, and look inside. If clean, your good. Dirt, dust and dark inside filter on the pumps inlet, you need to clean the tank with hot water. The hotter the better with rocking motion then drain. Let dry and install pump and tank. Yes, they up-graded the connector to 280 terminals, but use dielectric grease. The more restrictions in the primary, secondary or service fuel filter, the harder the pump has to work. This results in higher amperage to the pump and starts to over-heat the terminals.
Year of tank re-fills will collect dust & dirt and micro debris that settles on the bottom of the tank. This accumulates with time and if not removed, you WILL have a pre-mature fuel pump failure.
If your pump assembly has springs on top, requiring you to push down to lock-in, this is a bottom referencing pump. It will have rubber feet on the bottom and two filters, one inside and one on the bottom that you can see. If it hangs from the top, that is the old pump on-a-stick. The bottom referencing pump is the new style to reduce mis-fire with low fuel in the tank while turning onto the interstate, stop & go plus other driving conditions. Inspect pump and clean if need. ACDelco fuel pump that came new with the truck lasted 120k + miles, new pump last three weeks, this is the reason. Damm CARB rules!
Retired ASE Master Tech.
