Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

[Scott S.]

Car: 1967 coupe, L79 engine.

The current "replacement" 1967 fuel pumps are missing the "AC", and if I understand correctly, AC Delco no longer makes them, even if they're in an AC Delco box.

The older NOS service replacement fuel pumps WITH "AC" are 40503 units, not the correct 40433. The NOS 40503 with the "AC" logo are still around, but there is no way to tell whether the internal parts are dry-rotted, and even if not, it seems unlikely to hold up long to modern gasoline formulations.

Several vendors now offer rebuilt "correct" 1967 fuel pumps (looks like an original 40433 top portion crimped to a modern lower section). This would seem to be an excellent solution, except for concerns about the safety of re-crimped fuel pumps that were never designed to be rebuilt.

The 1966 small block fuel pump is designed to be rebuilt, and there are kits available that use internal parts meant to withstand modern gasoline. If a 1966 small block fuel pump will work on a 1967 small block, it would not be correct, but it should be safe and reliable with known internal parts.

The gaskets appear to be the same, but the levers for '66 and '67 look different. Can it be made to work?

Or is the current non-A/C 40503-style fuel pump, made who-knows-where, the only "safe" option for a small block '67?

[Mike M.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

any fuel pump designed for any of the c-1 and c-2 small block chevy engines will bolt up to any of these early SBCs. the 66 will fit and function as well as a 67 pump. you may have to use the repo 66 small block fuel line from pump to carb. mike

[John D.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

Scott,
I faced the same dilemma when the fuel pump on my 67 started leaking. I just wasnt comfortable with the recrimped original type from either a cost ($175) or safety standpoint.

In the end I went with the AC Delco replacement which is very close except for the logo as you said. I cant see using a rebuilt 66 pump when a rebuild kit ($35) costs more than the brand new replacement pump ($25)....

[Brian M.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

In 2004 I installed the current A/C delco pump and stamped it with an AC logo, the judges scratched their heads over it.

[Joe L.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

Scott,
I faced the same dilemma when the fuel pump on my 67 started leaking. I just wasnt comfortable with the recrimped original type from either a cost ($175) or safety standpoint.

In the end I went with the AC Delco replacement which is very close except for the logo as you said. I cant see using a rebuilt 66 pump when a rebuild kit ($35) costs more than the brand new replacement pump ($25)....

John and Scott------


I TOTALLY agree. The current AC fuel pump for a 1967 is very similar in configuration to the original pump with the primary exception of the "AC" logo. I just don't think it's worth obsessing over this minor nuance. Be thankful that you can obtain a fuel pump that is very close to the original, contains up-to-date internals, is NEW, and is SAFE. On top of all that, it's relatively inexpensive. If you drive the car, use a NEW fuel pump.

Besides, if you were to use a 1966 screw-type pump on a 1967, then the configuration of the pump would be TOTALLY incorrect and the fact that it might have the "AC" logo on it wouldn't gain you as much, if anything, as you'd lose. So, going that route would make no sense, at all, from any perspective.

[Mike M.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

In 2004 I installed the current A/C delco pump and stamped it with an AC logo, the judges scratched their heads over it.

AC LOGO embossed, not stamped. ya got away with it. regards,mike

[Scott S.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

Thanks for the replies everyone.

any fuel pump designed for any of the c-1 and c-2 small block chevy engines will bolt up to any of these early SBCs. the 66 will fit and function as well as a 67 pump. you may have to use the repo 66 small block fuel line from pump to carb. mike

Very interesting, and good to find out. I thought there would be some reason that it wasn't compatible since it doesn't look like the parts books ever call for the '40503' (a.k.a. GM # 6416712) as a service replacement on 1966 and earlier Corvettes.

In the end I went with the AC Delco replacement which is very close except for the logo as you said. I cant see using a rebuilt 66 pump when a rebuild kit ($35) costs more than the brand new replacement pump ($25)....

I like the idea of the 1966 fuel pump simply from a vintage (and American made) standpoint, as opposed to the questionable origin and quality of the currently available non-A/C Delco replacements. Cost-wise, the new fuel pump certainly makes more sense. What I like about the '66 unit is that it can be rebuilt using high quality materials, and if done properly, you could be confident about the reliability, and probably not have to mess with it again for a long time.

I don't know how long the non-A/C Delco units have been around, or what their track record is, so that's what got me thinking about going in the direction of the older style fuel pump instead of newer.

In 2004 I installed the current A/C delco pump and stamped it with an AC logo, the judges scratched their heads over it.

If the current non-A/C Delco type has lasted since 2004, and the units today are of similar quality, that's probably long enough to make a good case for using the newer units.

John and Scott------

I TOTALLY agree. The current AC fuel pump for a 1967 is very similar in configuration to the original pump with the primary exception of the "AC" logo. I just don't think it's worth obsessing over this minor nuance.

In this case, I wasn't concerned about the cosmetics as much as the reliability factor. I have read about installing fuel pumps on cars with C60 in the TDB archives, and it sounds like a job you don't want to do very often.

Be thankful that you can obtain a fuel pump that is very close to the original, contains up-to-date internals, is NEW, and is SAFE. On top of all that, it's relatively inexpensive. If you drive the car, use a NEW fuel pump.

I am thankful for this, as long as it is a quality, reliable part.

Sounds like the current non-A/C Delco replacement is the way to go, but it's good to know the 1966 and earlier fuel pumps are an option.


Thanks again for all the comments,

Scott

[Joe L.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

Thanks for the replies everyone.


Very interesting, and good to find out. I thought there would be some reason that it wasn't compatible since it doesn't look like the parts books ever call for the '40503' (a.k.a. GM # 6416712) as a service replacement on 1966 and earlier Corvettes.




I like the idea of the 1966 fuel pump simply from a vintage (and American made) standpoint, as opposed to the questionable origin and quality of the currently available non-A/C Delco replacements. Cost-wise, the new fuel pump certainly makes more sense. What I like about the '66 unit is that it can be rebuilt using high quality materials, and if done properly, you could be confident about the reliability, and probably not have to mess with it again for a long time.

I don't know how long the non-A/C Delco units have been around, or what their track record is, so that's what got me thinking about going in the direction of the older style fuel pump instead of newer.



If the current non-A/C Delco type has lasted since 2004, and the units today are of similar quality, that's probably long enough to make a good case for using the newer units.



In this case, I wasn't concerned about the cosmetics as much as the reliability factor. I have read about installing fuel pumps on cars with C60 in the TDB archives, and it sounds like a job you don't want to do very often.

I am thankful for this, as long as it is a quality, reliable part.

Sounds like the current non-A/C Delco replacement is the way to go, but it's good to know the 1966 and earlier fuel pumps are an option.


Thanks again for all the comments,

Scott

Scott------


I believe that just about all current mechanical fuel pumps, including AC-Delco, are manufactured by Airtex. AC ceased manufacturing mechanical fuel pumps MANY years ago, around 1982 as I recall. AC continued manufacturing of electric fuel pumps after that time and until they went out of the parts manufacturing business altogether.

I don't know where the Airtex pumps are manufactured but I think it's the USA or Canada. I think they are as good as the ones that AC used to manufacture and curent production would have the benefit of upgraded internals.

Fuel pumps are an important SAFETY item and the product liability associated with them is probably quite high. That, by itself, is probably enough to keep any major manufacturer honest about quality.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Can a 1966 small block fuel pump be made to function properly on a 1967?

I have a embossed AC 40503 fuel pump on my 67 and I believe the suction (inlet) port is in a different clocking than the original. The rubber hose from the fuel line has no problem going to it.

I hope someone posts a pic of the 40433 inlet and outlet ports. The pressure port on the replacement 40503 is the same as the original because the fuel line fits normal.