I was thinking that possibly the cam is worn just enough that the pump isn't working correctly. The guy I bought it from probably knew that and switched to an electric pump. He mounted the pump under the hood, kinda half ***. I plan to buy a new one today and mount it near the tank.

 

A little FYI,
It was standard practice to mount an electric fuel pump in the engine compartment on early year vehicles. It was simple to mount and make the electric connections all in one place. Non fuel injected engines don't require the pressures that injected engines require and since the electric pump was pulling fuel from the tank , there was less opportunity for a pressure leak. There is nothing wrong with the pump mounted in the engine compartment.

 

The previous owner changed to an electric pump for a reason.

 

fyi. Those fuel pumps are gravity fed, not be used as pull/push, as I have read from manufacturer. I replaced it as the nipple on one end blew right out.

 

Can we inquire what brand fuel pump blew apart? Did you purchase it from an automobile supplier? If not, that could explain why the problems appeared.
Was that pump designed for where you installed it?
An electric fuel pump designed to replace a mechanical fuel pump is designed to deliver controlled pressure. There is something wrong with the pump you installed and blew apart.It was most likely not to be used where you used it.
Did you specify where you intended to install the replacement electric pump?