Dodge Repair: 400 engine fuel pump, electric fuel pump, retirement project

Question
I have a 1978 dodge motor home with a 440 engine with 4 bbl carter carb. Always had to crank a long time to get fuel to carb, now i don't get any. I replaced mech. pump which did not help. I pressurized tank and have good flow to pump. Can I bypass the mech. pump and install a inline electric pump? If so, what type pump and what pressure is needed. This unit had set for a few years and is my never ending retirement project. Thank you for you service.

Answer
I would check the fuel pump pushrod for proper operation before getting into the potential headache of installing an electric fuel pump. With an engine this old it is possible that the pushrod has seized, broken or worn out. There is also the possibility of the cam lobe has worn down to the point where is can no longer actuate the fuel pump pushrod.