A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
Post Reply
Message
Author
MarioManzo
356 Fan
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:59 am
Location: Sacramento, CA

A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

#1 Post by MarioManzo »

Is there any way (like the Pierburg fuel pumps) to tell the date when the A/B Fuel pumps were made. Also, I've found two variations in the ones I have (and three looking through photos on the internet). Attached are some pics of the differences I found in the two I have.

1) "EIN" and "AUS" are different sizes
2) One has no "DVG" symbol on the top piece
3) One has "Made In Germany" on the base. The other one has a symbol in an oval.
4) One has no numbers on the side of the pump.
5) One has numbers on the bottom of the base. The other one has a round form, and looks like where the plunger went on pre-a fuel pumps.
6) the "2" on the inside of the base are opposite.

It's my supposition that the one with the round form on the base (where the plunger used to go) is an older version, and the one with "Made in Germany" is the newer one. That said, no clue on what dates that would correspond to. Ultimately, my question is, what would be correct for a 59 car?
Attachments
20181202_120223-1195x2124.jpg
20181202_115013-1195x969.jpg
20181202_115932-1195x2124.jpg
20181202_115121-1195x520.jpg
20181202_115213-1195x2078.jpg
20181202_115141-2124x1195.jpg
20181202_115050-2124x1195.jpg
20181202_115500-1195x844.jpg

Rainer Cooney
356 Fan
Posts: 672
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 7:07 am
Location: NH

Re: A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

#2 Post by Rainer Cooney »

Hi Mario, One of the more important differences you failed to mention was the plunger pivot pin. Early cars had this pin staked in and later cars had the "C" clips. Your car should have the later style with clips.

MarioManzo
356 Fan
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:59 am
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

#3 Post by MarioManzo »

Hi Rainer, thanks for pointing that out. I was curious if the c-clips had just fallen off, but clearly the tube is too short. So, looking like the other one is more appropriate and there is no way to date code these (like Solex carbs, and unlike the Pierburgs). Thanks, Mario

Jan Kolm
356 Fan
Posts: 600
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:35 am
Location: Colorado

Re: A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

#4 Post by Jan Kolm »

There are no known date stamps on the fuel pumps.

The only way to get an approximate date is to build a database with the serial numbers of known (or suspected) original fuel pumps and match them up against the build date of the engine and/or car.

There is a related thread in this forum that covers the cutover from the A/B "monkey-motion" pumps to the 356C straight-line motion fuel pumps in mid-calendar year 1963.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

User avatar
James Davies
356Talk Moderator
Posts: 2951
Joined: Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:15 am
Location: Heidelberg, DE

Re: A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

#5 Post by James Davies »

The Rokal-built ones are earlier I believe. These have (RK) stamp as seen in your 4th photo on the left. Rokal made these for DVG.

MarioManzo
356 Fan
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:59 am
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: A/B Fuel Pump - Date Code

#6 Post by MarioManzo »

Thanks everyone, very helpful information on the subtle nuisances and that they aren’t marked with a date code.

...and seems like someone probably could build a database and eventually date code them from the serial numbers, but that probably falls in the priority list after knowing how many bites it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop :D :P :wink:

Post Reply