Buyer Beware

[Joe M.]

My experience looking for an "original" AC 4656 fuel pump has been enlightening to say the least. Corvette Central sent me a rebuilt "original" 4656 and it is very close, but it does not exhibit all of the characteristics of an original 4656. Since my car is a driver, I am going to keep the CC pump; actually already installed it.

I have learned that AC fuel pumps parts can be mixed and matched in many different ways, part stamps ground off, re-stamped, steel rocker arm pins used, copper rocker pins used, some mounting flanges have parting ridge, others do not, most say "AC Made in the USA" on the bottom, some do not. If you know exactly what characteristics to look for and you can see the pump in hand, you may be purchasing an original 4656; otherwise, you will probably purchase a vendor's interpretation of an "original" AC 4656 fuel pump.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Buyer Beware

Joe I expect that most of the catalog stores are getting goat hill rebuilt parts, or perhaps another vendor entered the mix. If you search the forum on this topic you will see enough comments to arrive at the conclusion you have provided - have the part in hand and know exactly what you need, they won't be rebuilding these to be NCRS exact...

[Joe M.]

Re: Buyer Beware

Vendors won't be rebuilding original 4656 pumps for the two prices I have paid, $142 and $124. A $300 pump from a Driveline vendor probably is the real deal.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Buyer Beware

Joe, I can't really address the fuel pump "correctness" issue, but I can tell you that at Corvettes at Carlisle this year, I saw more phony stamped starters than the previous five consecutive years combined.....

These were typically in smaller booths of few parts, so possibly the sellers were unaware of what they were offering.
I suppose as the supply of vintage parts decline as well as the economy, the fake stuff increases.............. sad

[Bruce B.]

Re: Buyer Beware

Joe I expect that most of the catalog stores are getting goat hill rebuilt parts, or perhaps another vendor entered the mix. If you search the forum on this topic you will see enough comments to arrive at the conclusion you have provided - have the part in hand and know exactly what you need, they won't be rebuilding these to be NCRS exact...

Ron,
Are you going to the Pumpkin Run this weekend?
I should have my Hilborn injected 62 there on Sunday.

Bruce B

[Ronald L.]

Re: Buyer Beware

Bruce - Forecast is still rain again.

Joe - that is the going price, 5 years ago they were a little under 100 for the rebuilds. You need to see what they really are, maybe the 300 was 100 that sat on a shelf for 5 years and now looks NOS, you know like all those parts on the flee that the dated box just never goes with the sale