C3 Smog Pump

[Jim M.]

How do you identify a K19 smog pump? And also, what sort of tool should be used to pull the front pulley off?

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Smog Pump

You can pull the pulley by using the taped holes in the center hub.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Smog Pump

How do you identify a K19 smog pump? And also, what sort of tool should be used to pull the front pulley off?

Jim----


Technically, no C3 Corvette was equipped with K-19. That's because K-19 was a regular production option (RPO) required for 1966-67 Corvettes when they were delivered to California. From 1968 onward, the air injection reactor emission control system was generally required nationwide and so it was no longer known as an RPO. There were some instances when it was required in California and not other states, but, nevertheless it was never known as K-19 after 1967.

In any event, if you are referring to the CONFIGURATION of AIR pumps for C3 Corvettes, it depends on the year.

1968 used a unique configuration with an external pressure relief valve. 1966-67 pumps also used an external pressure relief valve but were otherwise a completely different configuration than 1968.

1969-75 used pumps that were, for all practical purposes, identical in configuration. No external relief valve was used. They were identical to the 1968 pump EXCEPT for the absence of the external pressure relief valve.

1976-79 used pumps that were similar, but not identical in configuration to the 1969-75 pumps.

1980-82 pumps were somewhat similar to the 1976-79 pumps except they had somewhat different ports for revised "plumbing".

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Smog Pump

Since Jim didn't tell us the year Corvette or the engine he is asking about, but his profile shows he owns a 1969, we ought to mention the exception to the 1969 style pump on the chance he owns an L88 or ZL1. Yea, I know, I know, but just because we pick nits around here all the time.

1969 L88 and ZL1 continued to use the 1968 style AIR pump with the external pressure relief valve in the pump body.

[Jim M.]

Re: C3 Smog Pump

Thanks Joe, Terry for the heads up on the pump configurations. My vette is a 69 L46 and when I purchased the car, the smog pump and related equipment was missing. I picked up a smog pump that came off a 76 Corvette, that appeared to be in pretty good shape. It's not important to me that everything on the car needs to be date correct but it is important that it look correct. I don't have any of the other parts at this point other then the mounting bracket, which was still on the car. So I'm a long ways from doing anything about this but I'm starting to think about it and thought this pump may fit the bill.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Smog Pump

Jim,

Functionally that 1976 pump will work just fine, however there will be an appearance item that some people may pick up on. The "fan" (it is really a centrifugal filter, but most folks would describe it as a fan) right behind the spacer in back of the pulley is white plastic on a 1969 pump. It will be black plastic on your 1976 pump.

If the pump came with a diverter valve, it may be configured differently than the proper 1969 unit and also may not properly function -- depending on the original application for the 1976 unit.