C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
For the C1/C2 fuel injection experts...What spare parts do you recommend to keep in the garage for the fuel injection unit?A spare distributor drive cable comes to mind. Extra thumb tack Spill valve? what else? FI parts being super expensive, I'm thinking of things you feel are indispensable or bound to fail eventually...
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
good advice... :PComment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
I keep a drive cable and a (tested) cranking signal valve in my glove box. Also I recently started carrying a spare GF-90 fuel filter as I had one fail and start to leak about 50 miles from home. One of the threaded female fittings cracked where it was attached to the filter body lucky for me someone stopped who owned a 65 and he gave me his spare filter to get me home. Otherwise the old Rochestor unit has always got me back home. As for the garage I keep a selection of gaskets, axle links, nozzles etc. RichComment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
Ian,
John's advice to carry the pump cable in the car is good. If your unit has a cranking signal valve, either carry a spare (and a 7/16" wrench) or a length of 1/4" rubber hose and a clamp (with which to bypass the CSV function).
No need to carry a spare thumbtack spill valve. Besides being extremely reliable, you won't be changing one on the side of the road.
As for other spare parts.... it depends on how "hands on" you are.
If you do your own work, keep a pump shaft and seal kit on hand for when the pump wears and starts leaking.
If your unit uses either an original GM axle and link or one of the replacements held together with dabs of epoxy, like this:
.....buy a high quality spare that's held together with little "C" clips, like this:
What else? Buy a rebuild kit only when you really need one. You'll get the freshest diaphragms that way.
One poster noted that his FI unit always gets him home. I agree. Mine have always gotten me where I wanted to go and gotten me home. I've driven two fuelies solo from one side of the country to the other. Never an issue.
In my own cars, all I carry is spare pump cables.
JimComment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
I carry two spare cables, a CSV, needle nose vise grips along with printed advice gleaned from FI gurus on this site and others for starting a FI car when the CSV fails on the road. Jerry Bramletts phone number. Towing co phone number fo rlocal emergencies. Start and Hot start instructions in case I personally am disabled and someone else needs to drive my car. May just start carrying a solenoid and tubes replace the CSV.
62 and 63 FI units here.Comment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
As mentioned by Lockwood and others basically all you have to carry is a drive cable, proper grease for the cable, a good cranking signal valve if you have a 58 to E64 and some clean fresh fuel in your tank.
I have been preaching the rubber hose trick for an eon now. You can crimp off a CSV and drive across the country like that. Wouldn't hurt to carry a clean oil can so you can put some gas in it to squirt in the air meter for starting if you blew a CSV.
Carry your shop manual too. The Corvette Servicing Guide aka ST-12 manual is the worlds best.
John
Lockwood, Nice pics. The epoxied link is a nice touch too. I guess a car owner could do that since it's his baby and he has no one to answer to my himself. But to sell those to the general public is questionable. Whew!!!!Comment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
I been driving my 62 with the FI on it for about 20 years . My only break down was the plug fell out of the side of the FI fuel pump and leaked gas . A nickle is a perfect fit and will get you home. I always carry a spare drive cable and a fire ext. I also had John Perkle build a little stronger starter for "hot starts "on warm days .Comment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
You like that gravity-defying counterweight?
Here is a helpful(?) consumer tip: An engine with an FI unit with an epoxied axle and link that doesn't move freely will start and run (sorta) as long as the cold enrichment is on. When cold enrichment turns off, so, too, will the engine. It will not re-start until the engine cools sufficiently for cold enrichment to turn back on.
JimComment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
hey jim,
Where can I get one of those improved axle links, or is that your own design?Comment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
I wish it was my design, Ian. It is extremely well thought out and it fixes all the issues with the original GM pieces. It's so well made that you'll never wear one out.
You can get one by giving John DeGregory a call. He's too modest to tell you that, but he's your source.
JimComment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
Last question, is there a good source for FI parts online? I can only find really a couple sites selling stuff (aside from eBay)? Jack Podell's site and one other. John De Gregory, do you have a site or a catalog or something?Comment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
The most important thing is to buy good quality parts. And, just to be clear, not all repro FI parts are made to the same quality standards.
There are repro pump shafts that are too small. There are cold enrichment covers that don't transfer enough heat to the bimetal, thermostatic spring. And so on.....
JD sells the good stuff. You can buy from him with confidence.
JimComment
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Re: C1 Fuel Injection FI recommended spare parts
Jim Thorp makes many parts and has a large inventory (he supplies many people). Let me know if you need his contact info - he does not advertise. Don H.Comment
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