SBC fuel pump plate thickness?
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
SBC fuel pump plate thickness?
I need some help please. I've got my original C4 engine installed in my "street rod" '51 Chevy pickup. I'm going to run a mechanical fuel pump on that engine, so I need a plate that goes between the block and the pump. I can carve one out quicker (and cheaper) than if I have to wander about town trying to buy one somewhere. I suspect this isn't a critical dimension, but I'd like to duplicate the factory plate thickness if I can. Would any of you have a plate laying around that you could measure the thickness?
I appreciate any help available.
Thanks,
Mike
I appreciate any help available.
Thanks,
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
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St. Jude Donor '07
I imagine most anything you might have laying around from 1/8 to 3/8 will work. Use what is easier
I like 3/8 aluminum, but I have machining capabilities so things like that are easy.
The push rod holding plate is about 1/8 but it is held on by the pump base itself.
EDIT: I misread the post and thought he was looking to use an electric pump and block off the fuel pump opening.. Thus the thicker plate. I agree the original gen 1small block was about 10 gauge.
I like 3/8 aluminum, but I have machining capabilities so things like that are easy.
The push rod holding plate is about 1/8 but it is held on by the pump base itself.
EDIT: I misread the post and thought he was looking to use an electric pump and block off the fuel pump opening.. Thus the thicker plate. I agree the original gen 1small block was about 10 gauge.
Last edited by c69vete; Mar 30, 2021 at 07:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Did a Goggle on it earlier. Never saw a thickness mentioned in any of the links, hence my original question. But I now have additional questions. What's the reason above for multiple dimensions? Did Chevrolet install both steel and aluminum middle plates, and why?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Western NY
Wouldn't the thickness of the plate have an effect on how well the pump works? if it was supposed to be 1/8" thick and you put a 1/4" or 3/8" thick plate on won't that move the pump farther away from the push rod and reduce the stroke of the pump arm? i would think it would be best to put on the same thickness that came with the engine or am i figuring this all wrong?
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,931
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Wouldn't the thickness of the plate have an effect on how well the pump works? if it was supposed to be 1/8" thick and you put a 1/4" or 3/8" thick plate on won't that move the pump farther away from the push rod and reduce the stroke of the pump arm? i would think it would be best to put on the same thickness that came with the engine or am i figuring this all wrong?
I ended up texting a good friend from out of state and asked him to rummage through his parts boxes in case he has one of these plates he could measure. He found one, and he says it's .140". I'm going with that unless I hear a compelling reason why not.
