FI Unit Repair and Valuation

[Larry B.]

I am interested in purchasing the pictured polished '65 FI unit. It has a crack on the fuel inlet that has been JB welded. It will probably need a rebuild or going through. How much would the repair cost and what would be a appropriate offer for the unit? Thanks, Larry

[Paul J.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

PM John DeGregory. He'll need more pictures to evaluate it, but he also might be able to supply you a unit. Also there are several units listed in Driveline for sale.

Paul

[Joel F.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Larry,

Is this unit on ebay? The picture you show does not really show enough of the unit to be able to make that call. It could be a complete frankenstein of a unit. Does it come with a distributor? You might want to give Jerry Bramlett a call as well for the overhaul . . . JD is quite busy these days.

[John D.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Glad to see I am being talked again behind my back. LOL.
Larry, I don't know what your plans are for this unit but let me tell you some of the pitfalls of buying this site unseen. All the hype about pics being worth a 1000 words is a lot of crap/bunk. You need to see one of these units close up to carefully examine whether or not the plenum legs have cracks. Now if they do and you plan on showing the car then that is a definite minus factor.
Polished: Typically removes all the detail. Removes all the parting lines. The plenum lids once polished can be brought back to original appearance as far as the finish goes but typically the parting line is gone around the perimeter.
As far as the fuel meter covers go the repros will be out again in the new future. Repairing one of those covers is a nightmare and the end result is not good. The inlet fitting is a typical 1/8" tapered pipe thread. The fuel meter cover thread is a 1/8" straight pipe thread. No room for teflon tape or over tightening.
Personally if I were you I would keep on looking. Now we are all concerned about the cost of an item/part. Even if you got this unit cheap the end result might end up as the world's most expensive restoration. Old JD will NOT buy a FI unit from the auction sites unless the seller is a buddy.
You should see what guys send here for restoration. How can you restore when they only send you about 2/3 of a unit. End result is $$$$$.
I wouldn't be too concerned about finding a 070 FI distributor. They are all over the fleas and readily available.
Story: I tell my friends at the Carlisle shows if they see a fuel injection unit at the show and are interested in buying it get the seller to bring it to me for an opinion. What I look for is this. I look at the castings. If the aluminum castings have "issues" then I tell the buyer to keep walking. The guts can be replaced but replacing messed up castings puts a wrench into the restoration. Last of all look at the plenum legs(repeat info). If they are cracked keep on walking. Good luck, JD

[Clem Z.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Glad to see I am being talked again behind my back. LOL.
Larry, I don't know what your plans are for this unit but let me tell you some of the pitfalls of buying this site unseen. All the hype about pics being worth a 1000 words is a lot of crap/bunk. You need to see one of these units close up to carefully examine whether or not the plenum legs have cracks. Now if they do and you plan on showing the car then that is a definite minus factor.
Polished: Typically removes all the detail. Removes all the parting lines. The plenum lids once polished can be brought back to original appearance as far as the finish goes but typically the parting line is gone around the perimeter.
As far as the fuel meter covers go the repros will be out again in the new future. Repairing one of those covers is a nightmare and the end result is not good. The inlet fitting is a typical 1/8" tapered pipe thread. The fuel meter cover thread is a 1/8" straight pipe thread. No room for teflon tape or over tightening.
Personally if I were you I would keep on looking. Now we are all concerned about the cost of an item/part. Even if you got this unit cheap the end result might end up as the world's most expensive restoration. Old JD will NOT buy a FI unit from the auction sites unless the seller is a buddy.
You should see what guys send here for restoration. How can you restore when they only send you about 2/3 of a unit. End result is $$$$$.
I wouldn't be too concerned about finding a 070 FI distributor. They are all over the fleas and readily available.
Story: I tell my friends at the Carlisle shows if they see a fuel injection unit at the show and are interested in buying it get the seller to bring it to me for an opinion. What I look for is this. I look at the castings. If the aluminum castings have "issues" then I tell the buyer to keep walking. The guts can be replaced but replacing messed up castings puts a wrench into the restoration. Last of all look at the plenum legs(repeat info). If they are cracked keep on walking. Good luck, JD

why can't the cracked legs be welded ???

[Larry B.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Thanks JD. I will keep walking on this one! This same guy was selling one a few months ago that was damaged and butchered. Regards, Larry

[Mike M.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

why can't the cracked legs be welded ???

they can and have been welded but hiding the pits in the welded area is difficult if not impossible to hide. we as judges look for porosity scars in the plenum legs of the 63-5 doghouses.cracked legs of the c-1 plenums is significanly less common than that of the c-2 plenums. if the unit is for a driver, then the porosity scars aren't an issue. regards,mike

[Bruce B.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Larry,
I have bought a few FI units off Ebay but I am surprized to see none (63-65) advertized at this time. There are a few guys in CA who rebuild and sell them.
Usually there are some in the Driveline or try VetteVues magazine.
Just assume what you buy will need to be rebuilt unless the seller can prove otherwise.
Good luck.

[John D.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Bruce etal, There is a NOS over the counter 63 FI unit on ebay right now.

[John H.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Jerry Bramlett 's name was mentioned regarding FI repair.
He appears to be the man regarding FI units from what other members say.
I can speak very highly about Jerry for the wonderful job he did in
repairing my 72 that was badly damaged under the dash due to a fire.
Jerry was a saint. His dedication and professional approach to working
on a Corvette is very heart warming. Jerry fixed my car about 5 years
ago and I still talk about him. A very class act......Big John

[Dick W.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Bruce etal, There is a NOS over the counter 63 FI unit on ebay right now.

Link please.

[Pat M.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Link please.

Is this it? Cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Fuel-Injection-Unit-Fuelie-FI-Corvette-Wood-Crate-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35b08ab0c0QQitemZ230595145920QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Edward M.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Is this it? Cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-F...Q5fAccessories

Seriously? Is there ANY FI unit worth $18K?

[George J.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Seriously? Is there ANY FI unit worth $18K?

Only if it comes with a car attached.

George

[Dick W.]

Re: FI Unit Repair and Valuation

Sure looks like one that was in my shop about 15 or so years ago. If it is, I still have the intake gaskets here somewhere.