I've got a chance to buy new original AC Delco fuel pump as spare for my '72 Supreme, and the seller said that it has been in storage but he doesn't know how long. Since it's been in storage, is there anything that can deteriorate inside the pump or are there any other concerns I should have?

 

The rubber diaphragm is probably not compatible with any of todays gas with alcohol in it. If you run pure gas you should be okay.

 

Be sure the diaphragm has never had fuel on it.

 

So I should look for a newer AC Delco version?

 

I would look at an Airtex pump thats new. Most of the AC Delco stuff is of the old design. If your restoring a 1000 point show car things would be different.

 

I gotcha, but I like to stick with either OEM or at least genuine AC Delco when I can. I will say that I replaced the pump about a year and a half ago with a newer AC Delco and it's been fine.

 

Depends on the year of manufacture. I have a few 307 VIN 9 Delco pumps on hand. Used one and never had an issue with it. There's a blurb in one of the GM E-Carb manuals I have that said after a certain date, somewhere around 1986 or thereabouts, carburetor rebuild kits and fuel system parts came with "compatible" parts for use with ethanol fuels. I'll have to see if I can find that blurb. That sort of caught me off guard, I always thought they were all incompatible if used with ethanol. But I used a Delco rebuild kit for my 84 H/O back in 2004 and it hasn't given me any issues.

As far as something for your 72, no Delco pump that I'm aware of is out of the box compatible with ethanol.

Anyone know what ever happened to this guy? He used to do crimped fuel pump ethanol fuel upgrades mostly for Fords, but he said he did GM and Mopar too.

Fred Ballard
28916 Flowerpark Drive
Canyon Country, Ca. 91387-1801
661-251-2362
fredsclassics@hotmail.com

 

 

You could always have it rebuilt with the insides upgraded for modern fuels. Arthur Gould rebuilders in Massachusetts does that work. They advertise in Hemmings all the time. They do fuel pumps, water pumps, etc. I had them rebuild an NOS water pump for my 79 H/O. They will rebuild interior parts leaving the exterior the way it is, if that's what's ordered.

 

You may want to check if anyone needs a crimp together pump redone. From Aurthur Gould website: "At this time, we cannot service the crimp together type fuel pumps."