59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

[Christopher R.]

'62s originally took an AC fuel pump, Chevrolet p/n 5594656 ("4656"). Chevrolet currently lists p/n 5621638 for '62 fuel pumps. I assume these new pumps are crimped, and do not have the "AC" markings on them.

Questions:

1. Are the 5621638 fuel inlet and outlet positions in the same positions as the "4656"? Will they accept the correct '59-'62 fuel lines?

2. What are the other applications for the 5621638 fuel pump?

3. Zip also sells a pump for this application. Their catalog states that the inlet and outlet are in the correct positions. What are these pumps?

Somebody's making fuel pumps for C1s. I'm wondering who. I'll buy an AC Delco one, even if it's wrong, as long as it's functionally equivalent. But I won't buy (again) some other brand. If I'm going to buy an AC Delco one, I can buy it locally rather than send away for it. If I buy it locally, I can examine it before I purchase it in order to ascertain these things for myself. I just dread going into the FLAPS and asking the bored teenager for this application. I need to have enough information so that I can specifically direct him to look in other places.

(Or, maybe I need enough information so that I can forget all this and spend $150+ on a rebuilt 4656. My reluctance is because I'm restoring this car on a judging point per dollar basis. My money would be better utilized in ignition shielding or a air cleaner. Hell, you can hardly see the fuel pump in a '62. Don't you get some points for a genuine OEM replacement part?)

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

The so-called rebuilt 4656 pumps in the chain, (C Central, Zip, Goat Hill Etc.) use the later style castings with two square screw bosses on the main body and a much too big restamp "4656". They are a waste as their use will net a point deduction in juding by a COMPTETENT judge.

The bosses are quite visible and stand out like a sore thumb. A mirror will reveal the nature of the "4656" stamp as well as the presence onf an "AC" on the bottom cover. (all bottom gaskets were made of rubber fabric with wavey white stripes). The "AC" on the top of the armature casting is readable and if you know where to look you can see such interesting things as where the "4657" was ground off, whether there's a casting flash on the mounting flange and lastly the "Rochester Products" logo on counterfeit versions. Some even bear a stamping "Rebuilt By Rochester" on them!

The service replacements available today are functional but dissimilar to the originals by a mile.

Dale.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

The so-called rebuilt 4656 pumps in the chain, (C Central, Zip, Goat Hill Etc.) use the later style castings with two square screw bosses on the main body and a much too big restamp "4656". They are a waste as their use will net a point deduction in juding by a COMPTETENT judge.

The bosses are quite visible and stand out like a sore thumb. A mirror will reveal the nature of the "4656" stamp as well as the presence onf an "AC" on the bottom cover. (all bottom gaskets were made of rubber fabric with wavey white stripes). The "AC" on the top of the armature casting is readable and if you know where to look you can see such interesting things as where the "4657" was ground off, whether there's a casting flash on the mounting flange and lastly the "Rochester Products" logo on counterfeit versions. Some even bear a stamping "Rebuilt By Rochester" on them!

The service replacements available today are functional but dissimilar to the originals by a mile.

Dale.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

The cheapest thing in the long run is to buy a guaranteed restored ORIGINAL 4656 from someone you can trust. It's a "forever" investment at $200.00 or so since it can be rebuilt ad infinitum. If you sell the Corvette you can replace the pump with a pedestrian pump before showing the car for sale and then sell the real pump in the aftermarket. Good originals are QUITE scarce.

Dale.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

The cheapest thing in the long run is to buy a guaranteed restored ORIGINAL 4656 from someone you can trust. It's a "forever" investment at $200.00 or so since it can be rebuilt ad infinitum. If you sell the Corvette you can replace the pump with a pedestrian pump before showing the car for sale and then sell the real pump in the aftermarket. Good originals are QUITE scarce.

Dale.

[Joe L.]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

Chris-----

The GM #5621638 fuel pump is also known as AC type 4445. As far as I know, this is a "screw" type, rebuildable-type pump. It does not currently have the "AC" logo on it, though. I do not know whether or not it will accept 62 fuel lines as-is. I believe that it will, but I don't know this for sure.

The GM #5621638 or AC type 4445 pump has not been available through the GM parts system in many years. However, like many other early GM fuel pumps, it remains available through the Delco parts system. Most GM dealers can obtain parts through the Delco parts system and often do, although the customer usually doesn't know the difference (i.e. whether the part comes from a GM warehouse or a Delco warehouse).

As far as where Zip obtains the fuel pumps which it sells as replacements, I expect that the answer is as described above.

Incidentally, AC has not manufactured, in-house, a mechanical fuel pump in many years (curiously, since about the time that the "AC" logos "dropped off"). Consequently, all of the pumps sold under the AC-Delco brand today are manufactured by other manufacturers. Those same manufacturers may sell the exact same pump under other brands. Or, they may make the ones sold to GM differently and to a GM spec. In this case, I doubt it, but it's possible. In any event, I would always "gravitate" to the AC-Delco product.

[Joe L.]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

Chris-----

The GM #5621638 fuel pump is also known as AC type 4445. As far as I know, this is a "screw" type, rebuildable-type pump. It does not currently have the "AC" logo on it, though. I do not know whether or not it will accept 62 fuel lines as-is. I believe that it will, but I don't know this for sure.

The GM #5621638 or AC type 4445 pump has not been available through the GM parts system in many years. However, like many other early GM fuel pumps, it remains available through the Delco parts system. Most GM dealers can obtain parts through the Delco parts system and often do, although the customer usually doesn't know the difference (i.e. whether the part comes from a GM warehouse or a Delco warehouse).

As far as where Zip obtains the fuel pumps which it sells as replacements, I expect that the answer is as described above.

Incidentally, AC has not manufactured, in-house, a mechanical fuel pump in many years (curiously, since about the time that the "AC" logos "dropped off"). Consequently, all of the pumps sold under the AC-Delco brand today are manufactured by other manufacturers. Those same manufacturers may sell the exact same pump under other brands. Or, they may make the ones sold to GM differently and to a GM spec. In this case, I doubt it, but it's possible. In any event, I would always "gravitate" to the AC-Delco product.

[Jack layton #896]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

I suggest you contact Arthur Gould. He provided me with an original rebuilt
4657 pump for my 1965 327/300. (631)754-5010 Ft. Salonga , N.Y. About $110 plus shipping. Guaranteed to work .

[Jack layton #896]

Re: 59-62 Fuel Pump Questions

I suggest you contact Arthur Gould. He provided me with an original rebuilt
4657 pump for my 1965 327/300. (631)754-5010 Ft. Salonga , N.Y. About $110 plus shipping. Guaranteed to work .