I got a 91 with 156k on it. Worried that the fuel pump is going to fail on me at any given time. Anyone have experience as to when they replaced their fuel pump?

 

There is no scheduled replacement interval. It could go out today or 5 years from today. What is your peace of mind worth?

 

Mine died at ~130k on my white Max. Like Jeff said.....it dies when it dies. If you don't have AAA and absolutely can't stand being stranded, buy a Walbro OEM replacement and enjoy the peace of mind.

 

Mine I replaced at 234K km ............... just because I couldnt handle the longer cranking times in the mornings while the pump decided if it actually wanted to fill all the fuel lines - wasnt noisy at all and still ran normal about 40psi once going.

Replacement pump restored bliss once again - VG alive on the first turn of the motor.

 

I found the best way to find out when it's time to replace the pump is when it dies.
I'm in a kinda smart a$$ mood today.

 

is there any truth to what my dad tells me: if you run out of gas with an electric fuel pump it will go out within 500 miles

 

On the VG in particular with the fuel being responsible for the lubrication/cooling of the pump, I can see the pump getting a serious sense of humor failure if there is no fuel available to do its intended job - one of the reason why I always try to run with at least a 1/4 tank.

In general it depends a lot on the design of the electric fuel pump - vehicles like the older Minis and Jags have a pump outside the tank and a design that in my experience can handle quite a lot more punishment.

500miles? ......................... no I doubt it - at best you can say its not good for it when looking at the design and that it will therefore fail "sooner"