Air pump

[Stephen W.]

Need some help with identifing an air pump.
Back in 1970 I removed the pump from my 1969 Z/28. It sat in Dads garage for years. Dad had a 1974 Chevy pickup that I removed the pump from also. I went searching for the air pumps and can only find one. I had the complete set from the Z/28 ( hoses , valves ect..) but now I can only find the one pump..

It spins freely and sounds like its in working order.

Numbers on the black painted end plate are. 7801149 *D43
number on the alm body is 03041S

Any help on what pump I found ?

[Earl G.]

Re: Air pump

Steve,

The 03041S is a Julian date that decodes as: 30th day of 1974 and the 1S, I believe, was some type of manufacturing code, possible for location made or supplier.

Smog parts only have assembly numbers. It is not a smog pump for a '67 Vette. I would assume from you have said, it is for the 1974 truck. John Hinckley could tell you about your Z28 smog equipment. You can email him through the board membership.

Gunner

[Joe L.]

Re: Air pump

Steve-----

If you can post or e-mail me a picture of the pump, I can probably tell you what it is. What's important in the picture is the "boss" on the top of the pump aluminum housing. However, from what you describe, it sounds to me like you have a 68-79 style pump. There were 3 different pumps used over the course of these years. Many of these pumps were the same for Corvette, Camaro, and other Chevrolet cars. Other components of the AIR systems differed among the various models, though.

[Stephen W.]

Re: Air pump

Thanks for your help. Joe, I'll see if I can get a picture over to you but if the date on the pump is 1974 then it must be the one from dads 1/2 ton pickup ( 350 ci) It does have the saganaw "S" embossed in the body of it.
The sad ending to this is the complete system off my '69 Z/28 is gone. I still have a couple sheds to look through but I think dad cleaned his garage when I wasn't looking.

[Mark #28455]

1=1st shift, S=saginaw plant *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: Air pump

Steve-----

It could be a SERVICE pump manufactured in 1974, but for an earlier model. Also, if it is from the 1/2 ton pick-up, it could still be the same pump as used for some Corvettes (1972-79).

The 1969 Z-28 system is quite valuable. Actually, the pump, itself, is the same as used for many other models, so it isn't the most valuable part. The valuable parts are the diverter valve and the extension used to connect the diverter valve to the pump.

[Mark G.]

Re: Air pump

Steve –
Saginaw Steering Gear manufactured most of the A.I.R. pumps; their logo would be on the front end of the aluminum housing. The stamped number sequence is, XXX – Day of year, X – Last Digit of Year, X – Shift, and X – Broadcast Code. This description may be consistent for your pump, # 03041S. Bill Hodel (billhodel@aol.com) could help with ’68 and newer pump codes and applications.

Mark #35760

[John H.]

Re: Air pump

The '69 Z/28 also used the pump with the 7801149-cast rear cover, with the (rare) white front fan/filter (service replacements used black), and the Z/28-unique 3932458 deep-groove pulley and "GF" diverter valve. The original owner of my Z/28 removed all the A.I.R. parts the day he brought it home from the dealership and pitched them in a box under his workbench; three moves (and 31 years) later, he still had that box in the basement. Got the box for $100 , and all the original A.I.R. parts are now back on the same car they came off of. This stuff is hideously expensive if you don't have it; Bill Hodel has all the parts and is a great guy to work with, but be sitting down when you talk prices.

[Terry M.]

Re: Air pump

John,
Just off the top of my head, without looking it up, the black filter began on production AIR pumps for Corvette during the 1972 MY. I suspect the same, or similar time frame, was true for other GM models.

[Stephen W.]

Re: Air pump

John, You just made my heart beat faster as I remembered my youth under the hood of the Z/28. I had a flat hood so mine had the open air cleaner with the chrome top. From what I can see the air pump looks very much like what I have. I'll try to get a picture uploaded. It does have the black fan.

[Mark Ring]

Re: Air pump

When I had time I would scour the boneyard looking for smog parts. There is quite a but out there if you look long enough.

The 69 Z/28 diverter valve has "29295" stamped on it in tiny numerals under the muffler near where it attaches to the aluminum tube. There are also a longer string of raised numbers cast into the piece so do not be fooled by those. The diverter is difficult to find and most all are non-functional after all these years as the diaphram rots out. Try Epay for that one. The aluminum tube casting number is "533" and they are fairly common. The check valves are "992" and moderately hard to find without pitting on them. The "458" pulley is expensive and difficult to find but the repro is very nice for about $100. The bracket is cheap and common but there are some slight variations in detail. The "149" pump is cheap and easy to find but the 69 date codes and white fans are difficult and expensive. The trees are reproduced for about $80 and are very nice but the color is just a half shade off in color. Original hoses are not that difficult and clamps are easy but again the dates can be difficult. There is a small spacer on the bracket that is made from "unobtainum" and I have never seen one. I used a few washers like most folks do.

I have the "GF" broadcast code stamp that I made for my own resto. I used to put together systems but I have a job now so I just don't have the time anymore.

-Mark.