Fuel filter location

Fuel pumps (and most other pumps) are much more efficient at pushing rather than pulling. If there is any restriction in a line between the pump and tank you have to worry about vaporization due to the lower suction pressure in the line. Seen multi-million dollar plants brought to their knees by that occurrence. The pressure regulator is needed in this case because Edelbrock carbs are not setup to handle the fuel pressure put out by most fuel pumps. Stock pumps can have pressure of over 7 psi which will cause an Eddelbrock to flood and push fuel out the bowl vents. Loose fuel on top of hot engine is not a very good thing...