1963 F I unit number

[Willie P.]

What serial number range for the Rochester FI unit would be correct for a 1963 with a late March build date? I'm looking to purchase a unit for my car which was originally fuel injected but now with carburetor. Were these units used in any other GM vehicles?

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Hi Willie ! The unit you would need should be a 7017375. They were not used for any other application except Corvette. Being a late March car, I checked Nolands survey and noted a couple of late March cars with unit numbers of 1497 and 2353. I hope somebody can chime in and give you some better info as my experience with fuel injection is VERY limited.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Hi Willy, Looking for a 63 FI with serial number that would be dead nuts or even close to you engine build date is a tall order. Basically you need to look for the later version or so called generic version of a 63 FI unit. Then worry about the tag serial numbers later.
There were several variations in 63. You want to stay away from the early units of course.
Where to start here is the question. Look for a 63 that has decent castings. One that doesn't have cracked or welded plenum legs. You need to do some homework before you buy. Be careful buying from various auction sites.
The internal parts can be replaced. The castings are tough and extremely expensive to replace. Stay away from chrome units (run). Polished units can be brought back to the correct appearance but typically the detail and casting lines aka parting lines are history. Stay away from heavily blasted units too.
You need an intake manifold (baseplate) with a winterleaf snowflake next to the top water outlet on drivers side. But if a nice clean 63 FI has an earlier baseplate it's nota big deal to swap it out, etc. Don't worry about the casting date under neath as only the hot oil hits it. Yes our gang here worries about that date but only God can see it.
If you need more help holler.
Happy New Year, John
P.S.
Distributor should be an 111022.( I might have missed a 1.)
Don't worry about the date on the tag. Tags are no big deal. You need the early style air cleaner. Science into itself.
Would be nice if the unit you were going to buy were to be inspected by someone who knows those critters. So much junk for sell out there.
Noland Adams 2nd edition is out of print. IT does have a lot of info on 63's. But if you need help holler.
My 63FI, the LWC is March 2nd with late Feb engine build date.
Send us you engine build date sometime as that's what you really go by for dates on tags, etc. If you engine is not correct then the serial number of the car will do.(not exact serial number but close)

[James G.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Willie, John really knows what he is talking about. Go find a unit with 7017375 on the tag. Then you MUST inspect the air meter, and fuel meter and make sure they are the original correct parts that came on the unit. Often parts are missing (like the choke housing) and or changed out with 7017380 parts from 1964 and 65 production. You are way better off to work with a profesional like John who will save you a lot of headache in the end.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Jim, You are too kind. One does wonder though where all the 63 FI units are coming from.
Jon Blanchette said there were 3022 production units made for 63 and early 64. then he said there were 91 service units. We later corrected the 3022 to 2610 units.
Frank Sciabica(SP) told me there were a lot more than 91 service units sold.

Willie, Be very careful is you use the 63 Corvette Shop Manual to learn about what FI belongs on your car. The one in the shop manual is a protype sand cast unit with a flag air brushed onto the plenum lid. The hi-pressure pump in the shop manual isn't what you want either.
Wish someone would rewrite the 63 FI manual. I always wanted to do so but I don't think it's gonna happen.
Are you related to Jim Purvis??? John

[Willie P.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Thanks for the info. I received several very helpful replies from the forum. I'm learning a lot about the fi units.

[Willie P.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Thanks so much for the info. I do have a friend that is very knowledgeable and does work on my 63 so I do depend on him quite a bit. I'm not one to but anything of significance without good investigation and having someone who can review it personally. That is my current status and why I posted the question. I've gotten several good responses and yours is extremely helpful.

The vin on my car is in the #11475 range - should I not provide the actual number? Why not?

Thanks so much for your help.

[Willie P.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Thanks for your response. First, I have to ask what you mean by "service units"? New terminology to me. I have read somewhere that in 63 there were only about 2600 f.i. engines from the factory - as stated in your email. If my understanding is correct - and the serial numbers started at 1000 - the latest number theoretically would be 3600 for 1963 but from my readings these things like most others were not sequentially installed.

Not sure about John Purvis - my family originated in Virginia and has spread out over the country. I'm not aware of anyone directly related named John, but who knows?

Thanks for your comments and assistance - Happy New Year!

Willie Purvis

[Willie P.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Good advice I'm sure. John has provided good info alreay.

Thanks and Happy New Year.

Willie Purvis

[John D.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

Willy, Most car owners don't provide the actual serial number of there car. Maybe it's a securiy issues. Sorta like giving out your SS number to the world.

Service units were the ones sold over the counter by Chevy parts.
Actually the service units serial numbers were into the low 4000 range Willy.
If you see a NOS '63 service unit for sale be careful. If the '63 FI service unit was not produced in '63 then it will have some later parts on it from the 7380 units. The plenum on those is typically from a 7380 unit. The fuel meter cover may be from a 7380 unit also. That doesn't make it a bad FI unit. Just makes it one that you are going to have to do some casting switching. John

[Jim N.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

I have a '63 #7375, serial #2241 FI unit that is complete and in perfect condition. Contact me at jenovak@msn,com if you want more information. Jim

[Bobby G.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

I have saved the following 375 units for over 35 years : 347, 1466 & 3507. Had Vin #8807 car since 1978. Now retired, have started on my last resto
for my car. It was built Feb. 13, 1963 and believe the #1466 was on the car originally. You see, back in the early *80's I put the running gear out of my totaled 66' coupe in the car used it ever since. Any advice out there as to the most correct unit or have I guessed it correctly.

[Paul J.]

Re: 1963 F I unit number

I have read somewhere that in 63 there were only about 2600 f.i. engines from the factory - as stated in your email. If my understanding is correct - and the serial numbers started at 1000 - the latest number theoretically would be 3600 for 1963 but from my readings these things like most others were not sequentially installed.

Sequentially installed? I don't think they were even close, considering how they were shipped and retrieved for installation.

Willie, John has helped many of us avoid mistakes.

Paul