Fuel Injection Unit Identification

[Gerald C.]

A friend of mine is considering selling this Fuel Injection Unit and is looking for an offer from me. It is missing parts, as he said, but I don't know what I don't know. So can you folks take a look at these pictures and provide your thoughts as to current value and restored value? I have more pictures if required. My friend thinks its from a 1957. Thoughts?

Thanks

Coia#1.jpgCoia#2.jpgCoia#3.jpgCoia#5.jpgCoia#7.jpgCoia#10.jpg

[Gary C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Gerald,

What are the stamped/cast numbers on; the air meter, fuel meter and manifold baseplate?

Gary
....

[Gerald C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

I don't know at this time. He travels a lot and hard to get a hold of. He's over an hour away from me, so I don't get a chance to get up there. Sorry

[Tom P.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Since the plenum tag is gone, it's difficult to accurately identify.
BUT, it looks to be a 4800 or maybe 4960, which were late 57 units.
It ABSOLUTELY is NOT a 4360 (first 57 unit) nor a 4520 (second 57 unit).
The cost to restore/refinish that unit is going to be VERY pricey, depending on what is needed and whether or not the missing parts are available!!!!!

[Gerald C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Thanks Tom,

Based on what I'm hearing/seeing with these comments, I offered him $750.00 for the unit assuming I'll have an uphill battle completing the restoration. This will simply be a winter project for me as I don't have a 1957 and no "real" need for the unit.

My guess is that He believes that this unit is very valuable, so we'll see what happens if anything at all.

Thanks All!

[Tom P.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

If you do not have the expertise to restore and refinish and get the unit dialed in, it's going to be a big challenge.
But if you choose to have one of the FI gurus do all the work----------------go to your bank and get a loan.
One of the top FI rebuilders, John DeGregory, is no longer with us. MAJOR LOSS!!!! Jerry Bramlett is as good as they come, he is trying to retire from FI work.
Jim Lockwood is in Calif, he is an excellent choice, and there are a few others. I've been working on FI units for 50yrs, but I feel there are others who are much more experienced with rebuilding FI units.
I realize that you have offered $750. I clearly remember when a person would have done good to get $25 for that unit. It's pretty rough and missing important pieces.
By the way, does it include a distributor? That will be a bare minimum of $1500.

[Mike M.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

I too remember when these early Rochesters could be bought for next to nothing( bought a pair of 4800's in condition of Gerald's for 50 bucks) but that was in 1970. I also recall trading a cast iron intake with an AFB even up for a 63 unit with distributor and complete air cleaner( in 1970). later that year I sold a complete midyear air cleaner assembly for 250 bucks. I now see one on ebay or CF for 14,000. also traded 4 chromed reverse 15x5 1/2 rims even up for five KH knock offs off a 64 FI. times have changed . Hppy to have been a player 50+ yers ago. mike mccagh

[Gerald C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Ah!!! The good old days!!

[Jim L.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Gerald,

I think that unit is most probably a '58 4800 piece. As Tom pointed out, 4800 and 4960 units are visually identical, the only difference being air/fuel calibration. What suggests to me that it's a '58 4800 unit is the screw-adjustable fast idle. I've never seen that on a 4960 and I don't recall ever seeing it on any 4800 known to be from a '57 car.

Someone has tried to add a manual control for the fast idle. Interesting idea. I can't tell if the microswitch to disable the starting solenoid is still present. The Bakelite cold enrichment cover clearly needs replacing.

Rebuilding the unit to the point that it works well will be somewhat more expensive than for a complete unit with no broken/missing parts. A rebuild which includes a cosmetic restoration will be pricey. That said, I don't think you'd be upside down if you picked that unit up for $750.

Jim

[Ian G.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Interesting trivia. I put $25 bucks into an inflation calculator at it came out with $200 in todays dollars. So these cores are selling for a multiple of 4 in 1970 dollars. So it doesn't seem too out of line to me, given the desirability of fuelies now vs then... I can easily pay 2x repro cost for a "good used" OEM part, or 3x or more for NOS. I've noticed parts getting pricier just since I bought my project car back in 2007. That said I'm glad my car came with a complete good condition fuel unit

[Gerald C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

UPDATE: The seller has agreed to sell me the unit. I'll pick it up next week and start doing more identification information on the unit and see what I find.

Thanks

[Gerald C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

I started taking this unit apart. The intake manifold #3748947 and the unit #7014783 is underneath. But I can't find that # in my brief research. Maybe the experts can help me identify this unit.

That's as far of the disassembly that I've reached.

Thanks

[Jim L.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Look for a number stamped down low on the outboard wall of the Fuel Meter. It should be "802" or "962". Depending on which number you discover, you'll know if you've got a 4800 unit or a 4962 unit. There will also be a serial number stamping but ignore that. 802 or 962 is what you want to find.

[Gerald C.]

Re: Fuel Injection Unit Identification

Jim,

Thanks for the location information. I see #802 (see picture). it's for a 1957. Thanks again.
Unit number 802.jpg