AC 40083 Fuel Pump Restoration Recommendations???

[James W.]

Looking for recommendations on who currently rebuilds/restores AC fuel pumps. I have an original AC 40083 pump for my '65 that needs a complete rebuild and restoration that will pass flight judging. The internal components must be compatible to run on today's ethanol supplemented gasoline. I looked through the recent Drive Line Magazine and did not find any advertisements or references for this service. I've heard that rebuild kits for these fuel pumps are hard to find?


Thanks,

James

[Tim S.]

https://agrebuilders.com/

[Leif A.]

I'll second Tim's recommendation for AG Rebuilders.

[Gary B.]

James,

I don’t think the answer has changed much since Jim Reinharts asked the same question back in February of 2009. That same company was called Arthur Gould Rebuilders back then, but Arthur Gould is no longer involved. I had them rebuild a 40083 a few years ago and I learned then that there is no source for the original style pulsator gasket with the tiger stripes. Nor for the lever arm retainer pin with the unique end treatment. So, hopefully your pin can be reused. Finally, I’m not aware of a process that can restore the original finish of the magnesium surface. I think AG Rebuilder said they bead blast it.

The 40083 they rebuilt for me looks pretty nice, but the pulsator gasket will be apparent to anyone who knows what to look for. For the tiger stripes, you might be able to paint on you own curved stripes if you want to go to that extent. Finally, for my 40083, I had to track down a good, used stamped steel bottom cover and have it cleaned up and dichromate plated since the original cover on the pump I had rebuilt had the domed cast cover. I don’t think AG does any replating. And of course, there are the S logo’ed screws to track down if your pump is missing any.

Gary

[John F.]

Just purchased this a kit from CC in December.

[Robert P.]

The only issue i see with getting that pump restored by AG would be what Gary said about replating the bottom piece .
Bob Peckham

[James W.]

I can remove the bottom plate and have it re-plated along with the screws before sending it into them. I spoke with Tony Stein this afternoon and he recommend Steve Hack also to perform the restoration.

James

The only issue i see with getting that pump restored by AG would be what Gary said about replating the bottom piece .
Bob Peckham

[Gary B.]

Jack,

To me, the biggest challenge is getting the finish of the magnesium body to look original. The other issue are addressable. Well, maybe the tiger stripe gasket is also a challenge not easily solved.

if you contact Steve Hack, can you ask him what he would do to restore the magnesium body, and report back to us?

Gary

[Joseph W.]

Fred Ballard also does a good job restoring.
If plating is involved, can take awhile to get back…

[James W.]

Fred Ballard also does a good job restoring.
If plating is involved, can take awhile to get back…

Joe,

Thanks for the recommendation. I need to ask, how long is "awhile"? Do you have a contact number for him?


James

[Gary B.]

Joe,

Thanks for the recommendation. I need to ask, how long is "awhile"? Do you have a contact number for him?


James

James,

I just got off the phone with Fred and he said unequivocally that he does not work on screwed together fuel pumps. His specialty is the crimped pumps. He said he already has too many crimped pumps to restore/rebuild to do.

Gary

[Gary B.]

PS: Fred suggested experimenting with vapor honing to get the finish uniform on the magnesium body.

Gary

[Donald H.]

I just did a rebuild on a 40083 about four months ago, so these kits should still be available. I got the kit from The Classic Preservation Coalition (link below).
He says his kits are make in the US and are ethanol safe. His kit does not include a pulsator shaft and 'cups'. You have to disassemble your existing one to install the new pulsator. So, it's not the easiest kit to use.

I have a home zinc plating kit with gold/yellow chromating kit. You need a good fresh zinc finish to get the chromating process to really work.

Attached some pictures. The first one is the base and screws I started with. The other two pictures are what I finished with.

The Classic Preservation Coalition

Don

[Gary B.]

Don,

The attached photo is the 40083 rebuild kit that is out of stock at Ecklers. Does the Ecklers kit show the shaft and cups that are lacking from the kit you describe? If so, can you tell us which items they are in the photo?

Gary

PS Yes, I know those rebuild kits are discontinued or out of stock at all the catalog companies, except maybe Zip.

[Patrick H.]

I used this one for the 62 fuel pump I did last year:

https://show-cars.com/product/3154

They have others in stock as well.

As noted, no one seems to have the correct lever arm retainer pin.
If you know a machinist I think having one made would be easy, but it would have to be a friend doing it for free.