C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

[Nick M.]

I'm about to replace the incorrect fuel pump on my 63 Fuelie with the correct 4657. The pump is NOS never been installed. Should the pump be rebuilt before installing or will it function as designed? I'm concerned about the diaphram, etc being deteriorated. Also, the fuel line from the pump to the filter is either chrome or stainless. Is either one correct?

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Nick,
Stainless steel was never used on fuel line. I remember a discussion some time ago about plain lines used on the low serial # cars until chrome started. I forgot all the details but someone else will know. Did you check the new judging manual? Tim If the pump has never had fuel and the rubber diaphram looks OK then try it but be mindful of leaks. It's not a big job to overhaul but if NOS I would try it first.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

I remember a discussion some time ago about plain lines used on the low serial # cars until chrome started. I forgot all the details but someone else will know.

Tim is correct. For at least the first three months of production, and likely a little longer, the pump to fuel filter line was not chrome on any 63 cars. (same for the filter to fuel meter/carb line) I don't remember the exact point of change in production though.
Most of the chrome items on the engine entered production at about the same time. (oil filler tube/cap, fuel filter bracket, dip stick and choke pipe etc)

[Nick M.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Mike

so, the fuel line from pump to filter and filter to fuel meter should be chrome, correct?

would you advise opening up the fuel pump to check the diaphram or just try installing it w/o opening it up? If I open it up and break the seal, will I need a rebuild kit in order to get new gasket seal, etc? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Mike

so, the fuel line from pump to filter and filter to fuel meter should be chrome, correct?

would you advise opening up the fuel pump to check the diaphram or just try installing it w/o opening it up? If I open it up and break the seal, will I need a rebuild kit in order to get new gasket seal, etc? Thanks

Nick-----


If the pump is NOS, I would not open it up. I don't think you'll find any visible problem, even if there is some problem with degradation. So, opening it up will not gain you anything unless you want to put a complete rebuild kit into it.

Actually, I really don't think that the pump will be deficient if it's new. However, what you will "give up", depending on just how old the pump is, is the use of later compound materials for the diaphragm and gaskets. As fuels changed over the years, so did the soft materials used for the pumps. Still, I don't think you'll have any real problems with what you have.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Mike

so, the fuel line from pump to filter and filter to fuel meter should be chrome, correct?

Nick,

That would depend on your serial number/time of build. If the car was assembled early, somewhere between start of production in September 62 and somewhere in December 62, the fuel lines were not chrome.

[John D.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Nick, The difference in length between a typical 63 chrome plated fuel line that runs between the 4657 and the filter is about 5/8-3/4". As Michael said the 63 is a tad longer. Unfortunately most of the repro catalogs list this line as 63 to 65. So maybe some one on the DB knows which Corvette vendor has an actual 63 line as the 64-65 line just doesn't cut it.

Also you said you have a correct 63 4657 pump. They are dated you know. Look inside the small blind hole above one of the inlet fittings and you will see a year and a typical AC clock. What you want to avoid using is a 4657 pump that has what we nickname frog pads on it. All the bosses that the threaded screws poke up thru should be the same. The later 4657 pumps have two bosses that are large and flat and that's where the name frog pads come from.
Basically all you may need is a new diaphargm. Are your screws blackened or zinc cad. Once the car is together its tough to change that pump so I wouldn't gamble on it. Rebuild kits are readily available and are cheap. You cannot buy the big diaphragm separately. Get your friend AC to do the job. Let me know who sells the 63 fuel line. Lately the 63 fuel car is the most popular one of all. That's all I hear about.
Good luck, John D.

[Nick M.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Mike

My Car is April 63 so I guess it should be chrome. John D says it's tough finding a source with the correct length line. Do you know of a source for the "right" length?

[Nick M.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

John

You peaked my curiosity so I headed out to the garage a few minutes ago to check the various details that you mention in your post. Not that I didn't spend enough time out there today; I removed my steering column to reverse the rag joint, replace bearings and repaint. With any luck I'll reassemble tomorrow.

Back to the pump. This pump is stamped 4657 on the flange that bolts to the engine. The screws are black except for 2 at the very bottom that appear to be cad. It does not appear to have the "frogpads" as you describe but the more puzzling issue is that I see no date or AC timeclock. In all other outward appearances it looks to be the correct pump. Were they dated in all cases?

Last but not least, do all the major vendors carry the same rebuild kit or are some actually better than others?

[John D.]

Re: C2 Fuel Pump/fuel Line

Nick, Over at Vetteheads we have been talking about this line for about a week or so. According to Hanson and others the 63 line is definitely a longer line. Anyhow you know the rest. The 64-65 line will not easily fit a 63 FI car because it's about 3/4" too short. Bubba's make it fit though using their favorite tool which is a dead blow. They reconfigure the nice hooked bend.
No one has come forth with an answer as to who is selling a 63 line. Now some of the lower HP engines use the longer line also but it it plain steel. If that is in fact the case and the repro guys are making it correctly for those engines then it would be a simple matter of having that line plated.
If someone living near one of the catalog companies would pay them a visit and ask to compare the lines maybe this issue could be resolved.
Meanwhile you can do what 99% of the guys are doing and that is to make do with a 64-65 line with a little massaging.
I studied the line and it has its share of kinks and bends. I thought of having them made but decided against it. Let someone else with the bucks get buried in the project. I doubt if they would break even. If you need more info call me. John D.