Fuel pump variations

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by JimW, Feb 28, 2016.

  1. JimW

    JimW Member

    I need a Nailhead fuel pump education. What the differences between with what looks like serviceable diaphrams and the the non-serviceable diaphrams? Is one preferred over the other?

    I'm asking because, until recently, I was not familar with the 'serviceable' type. I didn't realize that it was different until I disassembled and cleaned it up because of the amount of sludge/grime that was covering it. I'm sure the timing cover gasket was leaking and perhaps the pump mounting gasket/seal as well due to a previous 'silicone over old gasket' reseal job of just about everything on the motor. Basically, there wasn't much that wasn't leaking other then cranks seals.

    Any and all input is appreciated - Jim
     
  2. Babeola

    Babeola Well-Known Member

    Jim, I don't think there was any difference in capacity between the two pumps. The later pump was designed as a throw away and earlier was rebuildable. The earlier pump seems better built because of this. Having several of these around, I have tried to find replacement diaphragms for them without success. Maybe the liability of a rebuilt pump was too much for the manufacturers? If you find a source for them or even the material needed to make one, let us know here!

    Cheryl :)
     
  3. mobileparts123

    mobileparts123 Well-Known Member

    I am a distributor for the company that makes ethanol - gas compatible material fuel pump kits for rebuildable style fuel pumps.
    They make the kit for the 1953 - 1956 fuel pump, the 1957 - 1958 fuel pump, and the 1959 - 1965 (early - rebuildable style) fuel pump....

    No diaphrams separately --- complete fuel pump kits ONLY.

    You have to know what brand you have - internal component kits for AC , Carter, and Airtex are all different...

    I can help you with that.
     
  4. JimW

    JimW Member

    Obviously from your comment you are familiar with this style pump. My original question is still unanswered. Is this style pump considered better or worse than the nonserviceable type? Can you ball park the cost to rebuild one of these and/or replace one? I've done alot of web searching and can only locate replacements that are the nonserviceable type - which implies one of two things - first, the rebuildable pumps are not worth the effort due to either parts cost and/or reliability, or second, the nonserviceable style is cheaper to produce. The second option doesn't imply anything towards reliability to me, but rather a cheap supply of a functioning parts.

    I appreciate your response, but hopefully you can provide some more insight. I would llike to reseal/rebuild this pump if it isn't a waste of time (and money), but replacing it isn't an issue either. Basically, I'm rebuilding a motor for someone else with an emphasis on reliability. If it were mine, then I'd just clean this pump up and see how it works and replace/repair as needed after it was reassembled, but the owner of this motor will be disappointed if it has an issue that I could've eliminated by simply putting on a new pump at the time of the rebuild.

    Thanks - Jim
     
  5. 8ad-f85

    8ad-f85 Well-Known Member

    OEM's were always looking for less up front costs, less parts initially used, and planned obsolescence.
    Reliability wouldn't even fit into those scenario's unless they were fixing them under warranty.
    I would guess that they figured out how to make a non-seviceable fuel pump that exceeds the warranty.
    That and they really don't want you or an independent shop to work on your car.

    One might gather that the diaphragms would be similar.

    Curious on this answer too...
     
  6. la 65 gs

    la 65 gs Well-Known Member

    I have a couple of AC brand re-buildable style that I need kits for. Source?

    Loren
     
  7. Babeola

    Babeola Well-Known Member

    I have the 59-65 rebuildable Nailhead pump. On the bottom it has "AC" in large raised letters. So, I would be interested in a rebuild kit for that application. I am going to PM you for a price as well.

    Thanks - Cheryl :)
     
  8. mobileparts123

    mobileparts123 Well-Known Member

    Hi, guys & gals -- I will try and answer all your questions -- and you are all welcome to call me and ask any questions I didn't answer!!!!! Phone line is always open -- if I am running around, machine is always on -- I WILL call you back.
    "Babeola Cheryl" PM'ed me-- and I just responded to her -- and Loren -- I will PM you after I complete this....

    The early original style pumps were always rebuildable -- and it mostly was because that was the technology and the way it just always was -- and people were okay with that.
    Back then, fuel pump kits were around $ 10 - $ 15 only, so you would have the option when one failed to rebuild yours or buy a new one at roughly $ 20 - $ 30.

    Then, rebuildable style pumps became too costly to manufacture -- and the world became "crimp - style" pumps.... or as someone called them "throwaway pumps". Indeed, as society was becoming more insistent
    on "using and disposing" -- that became the norm / standard.

    Years later came this GARBAGE ethanol gas -- there is no way to sugar coat it -- it CREATES issues - and of course, with a crimp - style pump, there IS NO easy way to rebuild these!!!!!
    And for the people who are doing a "Concourse" restoration (100 % -- 400 point); they must preserve the ORIGINAL look of a rebuildable style pump.....

    Hope this answered those who have / had questions -- the answers are essentially the "history of fuel pumps through the years".... and to answer specifically what is available for the 1959 - 1965 BUICK "Nail Heads" today ---
    I have New Fresh Stock Crimp - Style Ethanol - Gas Compatible Fuel Pumps in stock --- and can get you the Ethanol - compatible material Fuel Pump Rebuilding Kits for the Rebuildable style pumps....
     
  9. JimW

    JimW Member

    You're correct, it creates issues like I can add another 8 degrees of timing at 14 psi in our turbo car that's worth another 60hp, and it can help eliminate/slow the use of non renewable fossil fuels, and it will allow for elimination of importing of energy which includes the elimination of us empowering a pack of fanatics in another region of the world which has led to American deaths and the worst fiscal crisis in my lifetime.

    You're right - ethanol sucks - it's a much better idea to give large corporate farms (Exxon and Gulf Oil) tax subsidies to leave millions of acres untilled rather than put middle America back to work producing renewable energy.

    Done on this and I'll be buying a fuel pump elsewhere.

    Sincerely - Jim
     

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