Fuel Pump Frustration
 

The stock fuel pump in my 68 bird 400 finally failed after 20+ years earlier this Spring. In shopping for a new one, the main brands available were AC Delco, Airtex, Delphi, and Carter. I chose the Delphi as the reviews seemed a little better. When it arrived, I had some reservations as it was made in China and they didn't even include a gasket. Put it on and ran great until last week when it died and left me stranded. Didn't even last 200 miles. So, this time I ordered the Carter since it was supposedly made in USA. Just received it looks exactly like the same tooling as the Delphi and also says Made in China. I think Airtex is probably the same and I don't see the AC Delco one out there anymore. I am thinking of just sending the Carter back because I can't enjoy my car wondering if/when the pump is going to leave me stranded every time I drive it.

I have this (pics) aftermarket pump I am thinking of seeing if I can find a rebuild kit for but not sure exactly what it is. Can anyone identify this?

Also thinking of just going Robb Mc. In either of these cases, I think I would need to make a custom pump to carb line.

Any suggestions? Is there a stock replacement out there that isn't a pile of junk? Car is stock so hoping to keep it as close as possible. Thanks.

I have a Holley pump. So far so good but it requires a regulator

Looks like one I had which was a Holley, and we are talking 3 decades ago!

PS
Holley still offers this pump and it’s item 12-389-11 and goes for 200 bucks and is stated to not need a regulator.

I would guess that they offer a rebuilding kit if needed.

get the robmc and be DONE! make the line.

Thanks. This pump is at least 20 years old. I was trying to ID it by the numbers on the metal tag but no luck yet.

Yeah thinking that, but, was trying to see if it is worthwhile messing with this aftermarket one I have first.

When I had my motor built, I put the BOP Carter style "high volume" pump on it. I replaced it with a RobbMc pump because it couldn't keep up with the new motor. But, for a stock type motor I think it would be fine. Only 50 bucks.

This is what I just did for my buddy’s car he went robb mc but wanted the stock line going to carb. Used a AN fitting with npt 1/2 on other side then a qjet fuel fitting cut and weld and it’s ready to go.

Holley 12-837.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-12-837

Yes, that's it. Thanks.

Hey Pat,

I looked up your pump number in my GM parts book and came up with GM 6417212, AC 40607. I looked on eBay but nothing at this time with an AC NOS unit. There was an NOS unit in early June that sold for $230. When I placed that number for a search on eBay, many of the replacement pumps popped up from some of the manufacturers you spoke about. So much of this stuff is made overseas today, it's hard to trust the durability of anything! Good luck!

Pat,

I checked the for-sale parts group for Firebirds here on PY and last year this member had a number of NOS parts and one listed is your fuel pump. Very expensive of course but you if this 1oldgoat still had that pump, you would get a USA made quality unit...

Good luck!


1oldgoat
Chief Ponti-yacker


68 GTO/Firebird 400 fuel pump AC #40607 6417212 $275

I have this Carter 120 gph pump new in a box and its Made in the USA.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRT-M6907

And only 120 $ vs 200ish for the Holley and Edelbrock.

Even though it might save you some bucks to go with a NOS pump there’s two problems with that.

1) the diaphragm has likely already started to dry rot since they never bagged them up.

2) the diaphragms are likely not made for todays Alky cut fuel.

Both of these combined and you have a new pump that will only last you months like you have experienced.

"Todays" alky cut fuel (gasohol) has been around since at least 50 years.
And motorists in the northern states have always poured alcohol into the tank to avoid ice forming in the fuel system during winter.
I would not worry using an original NOS ACDelco fuel pump.

Chinesium pumps are another story.

JMHO

I carry nos pump in my trunk. Saved my butt once. I think as steve said age and fuel. I have another nos 2nd gen and a nos A body new. I think I have a new old stock 421 SD airtech pump stored in garage with the screws on the bottom.i had 2 used one.Bought Robbmc just need to adapt it.

Thanks for the lead, Jack. I agree with the later post that I would have concerns running an old pump where the diaphragm could already be hardening from age.

Thanks, looks like a good option.

Nice work. So, these types of adapters are not readily available then?

In terms of Alcohol used for gas line antifreeze, 12 Oz added to 20 gallons is a very different ratio then 10% of every gallon out of the gas pumps today in terms of fuel pump diagram life.

Also it’s been only 40 years that all major pump gas makers have been adding grain alcohol to gas a tithe board.