Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

[Fred K.]

I need to replace the fuel pump (sealed top and bottom style) on my 1966 small block 300 hp. I order and tried to install a replacement pump (screws connecting the two halfs) but the chrome fuel line from the pump to the carb doesn't match up and the fittings are different. The pump I removed looks like the one for a 67. Rather that try to get the right fittings and bend the line I am wondering if I can just install the 67 fuel pump. Opinions would be appreciated.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

If you're sure you have the correct pump for your application, wouldn't it be wiser to get the correct fuel line to match it? Seems like it would be cheaper and would give you a more correct installation.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

I need to replace the fuel pump (sealed top and bottom style) on my 1966 small block 300 hp. I order and tried to install a replacement pump (screws connecting the two halfs) but the chrome fuel line from the pump to the carb doesn't match up and the fittings are different. The pump I removed looks like the one for a 67. Rather that try to get the right fittings and bend the line I am wondering if I can just install the 67 fuel pump. Opinions would be appreciated.

Fred -

The '66 (and '67) 300hp didn't have a chrome fuel line - that was only used on the 350hp engine, and was configured differently than the natural steel 300hp line due to the higher carburetor mounting.

Either style of pump will be functional, but you need the correct pump-to-carb line that goes with it. If you get a correct '66 300hp pump-to-carb line, the screw-type pump you have will be more correct. To use the crimped-style '67 pump, you'll need a '67 300hp pump-to-carb line (it's different than the '66 line due to the connection at the fuel pump end).

[Fred K.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

Thanks John for your expert information. Apparently at some point over the last 45 years my fuel pump was changed and a 67 pump was installed. And, a chrome pump to carb line way used. Since I am restoring my 66 as a driver I have purchased a 67 pump with has th same fitting as the one I removed. The chrome fuel line does match up so I am good to go.

The fuel pump I removed does has the AC markings on both sides of the pump. It also has the numbers 273 40344 (as best I can read them) stamped on the underside of the base.

[Joe L.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

Thanks John for your expert information. Apparently at some point over the last 45 years my fuel pump was changed and a 67 pump was installed. And, a chrome pump to carb line way used. Since I am restoring my 66 as a driver I have purchased a 67 pump with has th same fitting as the one I removed. The chrome fuel line does match up so I am good to go.

The fuel pump I removed does has the AC markings on both sides of the pump. It also has the numbers 273 40344 (as best I can read them) stamped on the underside of the base.

Fred------


Look closer at the '40344' number. An AC 40344 is a fuel pump for 1966-74 FORD vehicles with 289, 302 and 351W engines.

[Larry M.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

Fred: The OEM AC-DELCO fuel pump for a 1967 small block car is #6440433. This fuel pump stamping should read 40433, not 40344.

Larry

[Russ S.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

Fred -

The '66 (and '67) 300hp didn't have a chrome fuel line - that was only used on the 350hp engine, and was configured differently than the natural steel 300hp line due to the higher carburetor mounting.

Either style of pump will be functional, but you need the correct pump-to-carb line that goes with it. If you get a correct '66 300hp pump-to-carb line, the screw-type pump you have will be more correct. To use the crimped-style '67 pump, you'll need a '67 300hp pump-to-carb line (it's different than the '66 line due to the connection at the fuel pump end).

John, This isn't what the judging guide says. It says for small block the line is chrome and for 390 and 425 the fuel pump to carb line is natural steel.

[John H.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

John, This isn't what the judging guide says. It says for small block the line is chrome and for 390 and 425 the fuel pump to carb line is natural steel.

Russ -

I'll have to disagree with the JG; the 300hp line was natural steel, and was only chrome on the L-79 (350hp).

[Joe L.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

Russ -

I'll have to disagree with the JG; the 300hp line was natural steel, and was only chrome on the L-79 (350hp).

John------

I think it might be that way for 1967, but 1966 may have been different. GM says that the GM #3882838 fuel line from pump to carb for 1966 327 except SHP (i.e. 300 hp) was chrome plated. The line used for 1966 with SHP (i.e. L79) was GM #3882837 and also chrome. The latter line was also used for 1967 L-79.

The line for 1967 300 hp small block was not available in SERVICE, presumably because it was a plain steel line and for those lines GM usually just instructed to "fabricate from stock".

[John H.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

John------

I think it might be that way for 1967, but 1966 may have been different. GM says that the GM #3882838 fuel line from pump to carb for 1966 327 except SHP (i.e. 300 hp) was chrome plated. The line used for 1966 with SHP (i.e. L79) was GM #3882837 and also chrome. The latter line was also used for 1967 L-79.

The line for 1967 300 hp small block was not available in SERVICE, presumably because it was a plain steel line and for those lines GM usually just instructed to "fabricate from stock".

Joe -

You're probably right - I'm a lot more familiar with 67's than 66's; sure breaks the bean-counters' pattern of not having chrome plumbing on the base engine.

[Joe L.]

Re: Usable Fuel Pump For 66 Sb

Joe -

You're probably right - I'm a lot more familiar with 67's than 66's; sure breaks the bean-counters' pattern of not having chrome plumbing on the base engine.

John------


Yes, I've always thought it was a "aberration". I'll bet there's an interesting story of how that chrome fuel line for the 300 hp came to be. Of course, there's probably a small number of folks that ever really knew the history of this and, most likely, few, if any, of them are still around.