1956 vs 1957 322 fuel pumps

Anybody know if a guy can just get rid of all the odd vacuum stuff on a '56 322 fuel pump and bolt on the later '57 style? Are the arms and pump eccentric the same? My car isn't stock (hell, it isn't even a Buick), so modifying the engine compartment doesn't matter to me..... The car has a stock mechanical and also an electric pump, but the factory mechanical is obviously weak as it will idle with it and drive under light throttle, but anything more and I need to kick the electric on. I'd like to have a functioning mechanical and use the electric as a "back up" or to help prevent vapor lock in hot weather traffic....the '56 and earlier are $$$$ to replace, and I like things easy and clean, besides. Thanks for your help.

 

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is no. The good news is that a 57 - 58 pump is about 10% of the price of the 53-55 pump.

 

That's all bad news, John LOL.....I know the '57-'58 pump is cheaper, which is why I want to use it....I've got the earlier more expensive pump on my engine, it's a '56.

 

Hi,

I know Chevrolet use the 322 in large trucks through 58 maybe 59. Do those use a different pump as I am guessing early pumps had a vacuum pump built in for wipers and etc. Maybe later ones do not?

Regards,
Jim

 

Thanks for the idea, Jim. I checked that out, and the arms are different for the trucks for some reason....you might be right about the wipers, I'll have to check if my wipers are electric or vacuum on my car. Might be able just to eliminate it....the carb and fuel pump have got a lot lines and other things going to them that I've never seen before, and I haven't followed them to where they terminate.

 

http://buickrestorer.com/fuelpump/fuelpump.html

Prices are not current. That new unit only lasted 2 years versus a year and a half for the rebuilt ones. If you have a show car use the mechanical fuel pump otherwise get a good quality electric Carter pump back by the tank. AND install a collision interrupt switch so that you don't have a Krispy critter if you get into a wreck.

 

I never have, either Jason....I think the simple answer is going to be to get a reman from nailheadbuick.com and just roll with it. New ones are damnnear $400.

 

Your Merc is gorgeous Lucas, just look at her as a high maintenance girlfriend and spend the bucks!

 

I don't know why I typed 53-55, I know it's '53-'56.

 

I would check the Chevy/GMC 322 pump arms against the passenger car 322 pump arm. I find it hard to believe that they would have redesigned the pump arm for It's Heavy-duty trucks. The Nailhead was used only for 1956 and '57 9,000 and 10,000 series trucks. They (in my opinion) wouldn't have gone to that expense for the relatively few engines used in that application.

Edit: I looked on several websites and the Chevy/GMC HD truck fuel pump arms appear to be the same as Buick double action. When I said "the same," I do not mean identical , but it looks like it would work. It is a rebuildable pump.