C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Fuel injection

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 02:49 AM
  #1  
fastfrank06's Avatar
fastfrank06
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Fuel injection

I was reading in the Corvette Forum "History of the Corvette",,it states that Fuel injection was available on the 396 in 1965,,,where can I buy one ???
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 08:55 AM
  #2  
capevettes's Avatar
capevettes
CF Community Team
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Active Streak: 120 Days
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,366
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

You won't find one because they never put FI on the 396 from the factory in 65. Small block only.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 09:01 AM
  #3  
jim lockwood's Avatar
jim lockwood
Race Director
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,468
Likes: 8,950
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by fastfrank06
I was reading in the Corvette Forum "History of the Corvette",,it states that Fuel injection was available on the 396 in 1965,,,where can I buy one ???
Well, that's just wrong. 396 engines were carbureted.

Where is this "History of the Corvette"? I'm not finding it. Can you post a link to it?
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 10:21 AM
  #4  
DZAUTO's Avatar
DZAUTO
Race Director
Veteran: Army
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,634
Likes: 4,684
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by jim lockwood
Well, that's just wrong. 396 engines were carbureted.

Where is this "History of the Corvette"? I'm not finding it. Can you post a link to it?

Ditto!

Now, with all of that said, in Ken Kayser's book on the development fuel injection, he does mention (with a couple of pictures) that there was a FI unit developed for the 396----------------BUT IT WAS NEVER PUT INTO PRODUCTION (it was strictly a prototype development)! And, until I read that information in Ken's book, I was never aware that even a prototype or experimental FI unit had been built for the BB.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 10:53 AM
  #5  
65 fi's Avatar
65 fi
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 148
From: Santa Barbara California
Default

Originally Posted by DZAUTO
Ditto!

Now, with all of that said, in Ken Kayser's book on the development fuel injection, he does mention (with a couple of pictures) that there was a FI unit developed for the 396----------------BUT IT WAS NEVER PUT INTO PRODUCTION (it was strictly a prototype development)! And, until I read that information in Ken's book, I was never aware that even a prototype or experimental FI unit had been built for the BB.
Wow! How cool is that? Any photos of it in Ken's book?
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 11:01 AM
  #6  
65hihp's Avatar
65hihp
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 3,974
From: Cold Harbor, VA
Default

Originally Posted by fastfrank06
I was reading in the Corvette Forum "History of the Corvette",,it states that Fuel injection was available on the 396 in 1965,,,where can I buy one ???
Fast,
if you could by some chance buy one, it would be on eBay.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 12:06 PM
  #7  
DZAUTO's Avatar
DZAUTO
Race Director
Veteran: Army
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,634
Likes: 4,684
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by 65 fi
Wow! How cool is that? Any photos of it in Ken's book?
Yep, pgs 441-442, but unfortunately, almost no details.
And not really surprisingly, there was apparently a prototype made for the 409 engine. I know nothing about that one, but apparently someone has, or did have, it on a 409 in a streetrod. I've only seen a couple of pictures of it when it appeared at car shows.

A few people here may (or may not) know that 57-58 Pontiacs also had FI, at least ONE 57 Olds got a prototype FI (pictures in Ken's book), and for many years there has been talk of five 57 Cadillacs built with FI (also confirmed in Ken's book) which was brought to light MANY years ago by Mike Hunt (now deceased as the result of a motorcycle accident). UNFORTUNATELY, none of the FI Cads are known to exist nor are there any known pictures of the Cad FI units. The FI Ponts are scarce today (they were scarce then, 600 in 57, 400 in 58) and very scarce today. The Pont FI units are a bitch to work on and NONE of the FI guys around the country want to touch them.

Last edited by DZAUTO; Nov 21, 2014 at 02:31 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 01:32 PM
  #8  
jim lockwood's Avatar
jim lockwood
Race Director
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,468
Likes: 8,950
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by DZAUTO
Yep, pgs 441-442, but unfortunately, almost no details.
And not really surprisingly, there was apparently a prototype made for the 409 engine. I know nothing about that one, but apparently someone has, or did have, it on a 409 in a streetrod. I've only seen a couple of pictures of it when it appeared ad car shows.
I can fill in some of the blanks here because I rebuilt that unit earlier this year.

It is a garden variety 1963 "7375" FI unit. The venturi cone has been hogged out for more air flow and the Cranking Signal Valve has been replaced with a '64-'65-style starting fuel bypass mechanism. Both of these modifications were made by the owner, not RP.

To adapt it to the 409, the owner milled an adapter plate out of aluminum. This plate sits on a cut-down carburetor manifold and the FI unit attaches to the plate.


A few people here may (or may not) know that 57-58 Pontiacs also had FI, at least ONE 57 Olds got a prototype FI (pictures in Ken's book), and for many years there has been talk of five 57 Cadillacs built with FI (also confirmed in Ken's book) which was brought to light MANY years ago by Mike Hunt (now deceased as the result of a motorcycle accident). UNFORTUNATELY, none of the FI Cads are known to exist nor are there any known pictures of the Cad FI units.
There is at least one existing '57 Chevrolet FI unit running around with a Cadillac air meter on it. The air meter has a unique casting number which links its origin to the Cadillac development program. The finish machining on the air meter was done to satisfy Chevrolet FI requirements.
The FI Ponts are scarce today (they were scarce then, 600 in 57, 400 in 58) and very scarce today. The Pont FI units are a bitch to work on and NONE of the FI guys around the country want to touch them.
I would be reluctant to take one on. Just calibrating the air/fuel mixture would be a significant project.

Oddly, there is a '58 Pontiac FI unit on the auction site even as we type.

Jim

Last edited by jim lockwood; Nov 21, 2014 at 02:41 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 09:28 PM
  #9  
oldskydog's Avatar
oldskydog
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 19
From: Mesa Az
Default

Originally Posted by jim lockwood
I can fill in some of the blanks here because I rebuilt that unit earlier this year.

It is a garden variety 1963 "7375" FI unit. The venturi cone has been hogged out for more air flow and the Cranking Signal Valve has been replaced with a '64-'65-style starting fuel bypass mechanism. Both of these modifications were made by the owner, not RP.

To adapt it to the 409, the owner milled an adapter plate out of aluminum. This plate sits on a cut-down carburetor manifold and the FI unit attaches to the plate.




There is at least one existing '57 Chevrolet FI unit running around with a Cadillac air meter on it. The air meter has a unique casting number which links its origin to the Cadillac development program. The finish machining on the air meter was done to satisfy Chevrolet FI requirements.


I would be reluctant to take one on. Just calibrating the air/fuel mixture would be a significant project.

Oddly, there is a '58 Pontiac FI unit on the auction site even as we type.

Jim
Gm built a few experimental FI's for the 348/409 that was built by Marvel Schebler. Unlike the Rochester it was a timed injection with a combination rotary fuel pump/fuel disrtibutor and individual injectors for each cylinder port. It was driven by a chain off the cam and a special cast aluminum housing was spaced between the water pump and the block. I have pics on my other computer,
A similar unit was designed for Chrysler in 57.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 10:07 PM
  #10  
jim lockwood's Avatar
jim lockwood
Race Director
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,468
Likes: 8,950
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by oldskydog
Gm built a few experimental FI's for the 348/409 that was built by Marvel Schebler. Unlike the Rochester it was a timed injection with a combination rotary fuel pump/fuel disrtibutor and individual injectors for each cylinder port. It was driven by a chain off the cam and a special cast aluminum housing was spaced between the water pump and the block. I have pics on my other computer,
A similar unit was designed for Chrysler in 57.
This is a Borg-Warner FI unit which fits your description. Is this what you are thinking of:

Reply
Old Nov 22, 2014 | 12:36 AM
  #11  
oldskydog's Avatar
oldskydog
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 19
From: Mesa Az
Default

Originally Posted by jim lockwood
This is a Borg-Warner FI unit which fits your description. Is this what you are thinking of:

Yep, that's it. Marvel Schebler was part of BW.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Fuel injection





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:55 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE