63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

[John D.]

Any of your that have been following the 1000 posts on VH's now know that new information as come to light about 63 #4657 fuel pumps. To recap the info quickly as I don't want to start a mile long post here also let me tell you that if you are going to be showing your '63 seriously you should consider finding a 63 fuel pump for it instead of the later 66 style service pump.
If you don't know anything else about what to look for on your pump. If you don't know about the casting changes. If you don't know that they are dated. Here is an easy way to spot a fake fuel pump on a 63. If you see one that is stamped 4657 FF or another suffix then it IS NOT a 63 pump for sure.
The pumps are dated also. Look at Harry Sadlocks pics on VH's. Looks at Jorjorian's Pic on VH's also. And also Verne's pics and Michael M and Michael Hansons pics, etc. A lot of you didn't know that these 4657 pumps are dated but they are.
For example my little white car-the 63 has a NOS Nov 62 pump on it. Just the year though appear on the pump-not the month unless the bars stand for a month. Maybe they do. Didn't get that far in my education of the pumps. Too many posts and didn't read all of them.
You see a lot of pumps for sell on the auction site that are listed as correct for 63 but they are NOT. Just a nice service replacement. So we all have to start looking at these pumps more seriously. Just looking to see if they say AC on the top and bottom-just looking for the number-isn't cutting it.
I understand that a lot of the judges are now looking for the correct pumps. In fact it was one of them in particular that taught me about them at Marlborough. Or so he thinks. If you are having your 63 judged at the National now is the time to get the correct pump on it to save some points. Course this is just an opinion. Good luck on finding one though as they are scarce. John D.

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

It's a well known fact that fuel pumps were dated (at least to senior judges and only to the extent of the center body casting). But, the date code placement is SO OBSCURE that nobody I know of attempts to judge it. You'd have to be pretty radical to make the date code a buyer's issue since who's to say the other components of the pump (lower cap and upper pump) were indeed original to the pump?

[John D.]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

Hi Jack, I have been thinking about what you wrote for several hours now. The pump issue does go way beyond dating. The purpose of the whole discussion was basically to put across to the 63 Corvette owner that their fuel pump is a one off pump indeed. For too long now the 4657 pump has been somewhat of a generic part of one that fits all when in fact there are significant casting differences which make the 63 style pump stand out in the crowd. Once you see the real deal you are easily convinced. I looked at the NOS one on my 63 the other day without the aid of a flashlight and said to myself that it is quite easy to spot one. Mine is dated 62. I only know this because the white box is dated Nov 62. I did not attempt to read the date while the thing is on.
Yes you are correct that is is quite difficult to read the date of the center casting. But in the interest of research on finding out the real quirks of these various parts it is quite interesting to see that even the most overlooked part has unique features. I admit I tend to be on the radical side sometimes. I agree with you there. A better word might be inquisitive. Even though I am getting old I still like to learn new tricks. Spotting these rare pumps in the flea markets and on ebay now will just be one more form of entertainment for me. Also when I am lucky enough to judge 63-64 mechanical I will be watching out for the replacement pumps on those cars and tell the car owner about it. Some might appreciate the info but others I am sure will be upset. So you have to handle it with kid gloves as sometimes we get carried away with the trivia. I see that my post has little interest here. Thanks for taking the time to reply Jack.
I want to personally thank all of you that contributed to my post on your competitor board-VH's. It started out real slow and then took off to the point where it was difficult to follow. So many nice pics. So much information. I would advise that anyone interested to go over to the public side of VH's technical forum and take a peak. Start reading the posts from say July 7th on. The rest of the earlier posts made are too confusing and time consuming. Thanks, John

[Mike E.]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

As you guys already know, just because you have a 4657 dated 62 or 63 doesn't mean that you have a 63 pump. Only the body is dated--and it is a 3-piece pump that screws together. So, you need to have correct top and bottom as well as a correctly-dated main body. I have found, in looking at a number of 4656 pumps, (58-62) that the slashes in the recess where the date is found do indicate the month of manufacture.

[Dave Morris]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

John,
Well, your post has interest to me. Just took a little while to dig my junk out. I have a 4657 I have been keeping for my 63. Bought it several years ago from one of the regular dealers. Can't remember which one anymore. Anyway, I dug it out and its the 4657FF with the 2 frog pads in place just like the photos on Vetteheads. Not the correct one but at least I know it now. I probably won't ever have the car judged but do enjoy just finding the correct little parts and pieces. I check this forum, V-Hs and Cranky's Corner etc. hoping to find information like this.
Thanks, Dave

[John D.]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

Dave, Thanks for the nice letter. I too did the same thing you did. Bought a nice rebuilt pump and it said 4657 FF on it. When I inquired as to what the FF meant from my pal Jorjorian that is how this whole thing started. If you see one of these 4657 pumps with the suffix after it (don't know if there are other initials besides FF) then you know you have a later style pump which would be appropriate for say a later '66 Corvette and a host of steel Chevy's.
Cranky's Corner on VH's is loaded with info that is unbelievable. It's really been a learning experience for me. Fun also.
Maybe later Jorjorian who I am sure is peeking in will post a nice pic of a correct 63 pump. If not him maybe Verne or Harry or Mike. Hopefully one of them do. Someday I just have to learn the easy routine but first have to buy a camera. Thanks, John

[Kevin M.]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

Just so you guys know, Vetteheads is a pay site the threads your referring to can't be viewed by the public.

Kevin

[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

Kevin, the thread John mentioned on that site is on the FREE and OPEN side so anybody is welcomed to view it.
Robert

[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

The center section and lower section are dated but to indentify to top section as correct one must educate themselves to the differences in casting,font size location of stamped number and rocker arm construction and this was covered in the thread John mentioned.

[Clem Z.]

the free side is VHs welfare to the poor corvette

owners after they spend all their money buying those parts on e bay.

[Bill Lynch]

Re: 63 triva revisted-4657 fuel pumps

Well that's it. I give up and think I'll burn my '63 now.

[John D.]

Re: the free side is VHs welfare to the poor corve

Clem, Next time out you buy lunch. Yes Jorjorian is right for sure. The pump info is on the free site of VH's.. I admit that VH's is not an easy forum to learn how to use. I am getting better at it. Takes some patience. Nicest thing about VH's is that you can go back and correct your typos. Editing it's called. Wished we could do it here. Sorry Clem to hear you are on welfare. Your turn to buy anyhow though. John