Anybody want to read a parts story? Post yours.
In 1965, three engines had a unique fuel pump #6440083. They are of cast magnesium and have a unique 180 degree inlet/outlet configuration. This pump came with the three highest horsepower small blocks, the 350 hp, the 365 hp, and the 375 hp (fuelie). I have been told that they have a 7 psi rating while the lower horsepower cars have a 6 psi rating.
What a marathon I have run to find an original fuel pump for my '65 L76 (365hp) A/C coupe. In correcting items that took originality deductions at the last chapter meet, I began looking for a correct pump to replace the "dreaded replacement" that works perfectly fine.
Last May, Long Island Corvette, my usual go-to vendor, was out of stock but another vendor had them. Or so I thought. I ordered their $210 fuel pump described as a rebuilt original. Soon thereafter, I received word from this vendor that they had the pump on backorder. I finally received the pump in late July, about two months after ordering it.
Luckily before I installed it, I compared this pump with the description of it in the '65 JG. Oops, there was one discrepancy! The input and output bosses (threaded fitting casting reinforcing) were, indeed, 180 degrees apart but the outlet boss was NOT the required full length of the center section. The JG calls these bosses "ears". Everything else was dead-on, down to the tiny "S" on the screw heads.
I jumped on this (NCRS) forum and got some fuel pump information, some of it confusing, to me. But, the final consensus was that the pump was not exactly NCRS correct. To be fair, the vendor never stated that their pump met every NCRS description detail. And, from one poster's comments, it is VERY possible that the 1965 JG is incorrect (JG are often amended). Even Noland Adams, the revered expert on C2s, has written that there are many variations on some parts, many of which cannot be verified decades later, as either original or not.
One local expert asked me to call Long Island Corvette again. I did so and the guy on the phone was kind enough to go fetch a pump in question (now in stock for $160) for over-the-phone analysis. His pump seemed to be dead on. So, now I have to send the pump back that I waited two months for and order another. In a couple of days I hope to have the Long Island Corvette rebuilt original fuel pump. By then, the other pump will have been returned. Thank goodness for their return policy.
I only relate this frustrating experience because (1) it helps me to get this off my chest (2) if one person can save some trouble by hearing of my experience, that is good. I would like to hear your "part stories", too. Some, no doubt, will put mine to shame.
-Clark
What a marathon I have run to find an original fuel pump for my '65 L76 (365hp) A/C coupe. In correcting items that took originality deductions at the last chapter meet, I began looking for a correct pump to replace the "dreaded replacement" that works perfectly fine.
Last May, Long Island Corvette, my usual go-to vendor, was out of stock but another vendor had them. Or so I thought. I ordered their $210 fuel pump described as a rebuilt original. Soon thereafter, I received word from this vendor that they had the pump on backorder. I finally received the pump in late July, about two months after ordering it.
Luckily before I installed it, I compared this pump with the description of it in the '65 JG. Oops, there was one discrepancy! The input and output bosses (threaded fitting casting reinforcing) were, indeed, 180 degrees apart but the outlet boss was NOT the required full length of the center section. The JG calls these bosses "ears". Everything else was dead-on, down to the tiny "S" on the screw heads.
I jumped on this (NCRS) forum and got some fuel pump information, some of it confusing, to me. But, the final consensus was that the pump was not exactly NCRS correct. To be fair, the vendor never stated that their pump met every NCRS description detail. And, from one poster's comments, it is VERY possible that the 1965 JG is incorrect (JG are often amended). Even Noland Adams, the revered expert on C2s, has written that there are many variations on some parts, many of which cannot be verified decades later, as either original or not.
One local expert asked me to call Long Island Corvette again. I did so and the guy on the phone was kind enough to go fetch a pump in question (now in stock for $160) for over-the-phone analysis. His pump seemed to be dead on. So, now I have to send the pump back that I waited two months for and order another. In a couple of days I hope to have the Long Island Corvette rebuilt original fuel pump. By then, the other pump will have been returned. Thank goodness for their return policy.
I only relate this frustrating experience because (1) it helps me to get this off my chest (2) if one person can save some trouble by hearing of my experience, that is good. I would like to hear your "part stories", too. Some, no doubt, will put mine to shame.
-Clark
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