Airtex Fuel Pump 73201 replaces AC 588

[desoto1939]

I have real great news for anyone looking for the old AC 588 fuel pump with the glass bowel.

 

Airtex has decided to remanufacture the old AC588, Airtex was the supplier to AC.

 

I just spoke to a Technical Fuel Pump person at Airtex Corp and he verified that it is the same pump and they retooled the pump.

 

So now we can get the AC588 Fuel Pump but the new number from AIRTEX is 73201.

 

I just saw that from the Parts Geek in NJ this very same Airtex is being listed for $61.35 and shipping is 8.85.

 

So if anyone is think of rebuilding an old pump and the kits cost around the same price I would suggest that you get the whole fuel pump and will not have to do any rebuilding and it is ready to install with the gasket.

 

The tech also told me that they are also going to be making a better diaphram to support the e15 gas.

 

AIRTEX 73201  equals the old AC588  single action fp.

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Edited March 5, 2014 by desoto1939

[casper50]

thanks Rich  and kudoes to Airtex for making it again.

[Furylee2]

 

Somebody already has them listed on eBay!  $66.77 and free shipping.

 

AIRTEX 73201 Mechanical Fuel Pump

AIRTEX 73201 Mechanical Fuel Pump

Seller information Item Information

Item condition:

New

Quantity:

More than 10 available

 

Price:

US $66.77

Free shipping

No additional import charges at delivery!

This item will be shipped through the Global Shipping Program and includes international tracking. Learn more

 

Shipping:

FREE Standard Shipping

[55 Fargo]

Rock Auto,    http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4310262

[BobT-47P15]

Well.........I ordered the one on eBay.   Turns out to be about $1 more than Rock Auto when they add MO sales tax.

 

A counter guy at the local NAPA store is going to check with one of his suppliers today as we found one on the

computer that's supposed to be for a 50s Dodge 230 six cyl.   Did not say what brand it is supposed to be and

may have shipping cost.  Price was around $70.  

 

I have two old fuel pumps that were laying around, was going to rebuild one.......but the new one sounds better.

Then we will see if that helps my apparent problem of gas in the oil.  My mechanic friend says the fuel pump can

definitely create that problem, by virtue of a bad diaphragm.  

[TodFitch]

I wonder if these new Airtex pumps will have the issue that the older "new" pumps had of the pivot pin working loose. . .

[desoto1939]

Todd,

 

Here is the FP Technical Support for the Airtex Company  1-800-424-7839.  I just spoke to a rep this morning and he looked at the spec and could not determine if they made any change to the pin issue.  This was the first that he was aware of any issue.  I think the issue arose when the pumps were rebuilt and the rebuilder had to pushout the rod. When this was done the hole might get enlarged and then when they reassemble the pump they did not peen over the ends of the rod to stop any slipping out of the body.

 

I would think that when they are brand new it will be a very tight fit so this might not be an issue.  Since Airtex was a supplier to AC of the original AC588 I would also assume they had alot of expereince in FP design and if this issue was happening alot they would make the necessary chnages in their design and correct the issue.

 

So in my thinking with the cost of a repair kit being around 50-60 dollars and thenhaving to take the FP apart and then reassemble versus a totally new pump for around the same price I would go with the new pump just to eliminate the potential for the rod of slipping out.

 

Hope this answers your question.

 

The Airtex tech guys are very helpful and I also thanked him for rebuilding the old 588.  We Mopar guys appreciated this and it helps to keep our cars on the road.

 

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[Don Coatney]

As the pin is steel and the pump body is aluminum the staking or peening is done to the softer pump body.

 

On the last one I rebuilt included in the kit was a slightly longer grooved pin held in place with snap rings.

 

[desoto1939]

Don:

 

Thanks for including a picture of the rod with the clip on the fuel pump.  Airtex could not confirm if this was changed with their remanufacture of the pump.

 

Rich Hartung

[Plymouthy Adams]

I am sure Airtex has the mechanical drawing for the pump in question but probably not available to the tech you spoke with on the phone...thus the specifics were not conveyed to you....pins can easily be made for anyone having problems with a pin on an older pump...round stock is readily available, drilling for pins is not difficult,..back with a washer each side for chaffing..harden the pin once drilled with heat and cool in oil..

[soth122003]

Hey All,

 

I have a P-15 Spec Deluxe with a 1950 D34 engine in it. I think my fuel pump is going bad. Pretty sure since the engine died while driving today. I will check the fuel pump  in the morning. That being said, will the Airtex 73201 be a direct replacement for it?

 

 

 

Remember, a bullet may have your name on it, but a grenade is addressed "To whom it may concern".

[navyboy]

Interesting, on my 52 my 218 fuel pump does not have a glass bowl but they advertise them now with a glass bowl, does this sound correct as im wanting a new one.

[_shel_ny]

Interesting, on my 52 my 218 fuel pump does not have a glass bowl but they advertise them now with a glass bowl, does this sound correct as im wanting a new one.

 

 

They work the same, and fit the same with respect to the engine itself.  I believe there can be an issue with clearance to the frame when attempting to remove, or install on some models. Glass bowl model may be an issue. Then again, I may just be dreaming that, or confusing it with oil pump removal/installation.

[navyboy]

I seem to have plenty of room working on my back looking up at it and have plenty of clearance. I was just stumbled why mine has no glass bowl and now advertised as with it.

[_shel_ny]

I believe the glass bowl model was the much more common model.  I have found the "no glass" model on 51's, 52's. Glass is nice, as you can see if there is fuel getting that far.

[soth122003]

The fuel pump on mine doesn't have the glass bowl either. Personally, I like having the bowl. As was said before you can see the gas getting that far, and you can also see if crud is in the system. I was reading in the Motors Manual I have, that there were a lot of different types of fuel pumps  some with bowls on the bottom, the side and some without bowls. All fit the same the difference was the bowl location or lack thereof and the length of the pump arm. 

 

 

 

Remember, a bullet may have your name on it, but a grenade is addressed "To whom it may concern".

[BobT-47P15]

Received my new Airtex pump a few days ago.  Was gone all weekend so just now reporting.  Looks just as good

on the outside as the older model ones.  Don't know how you would tell if the pin is a potential problem on a new

one.

 

 

[soth122003]

Just got my Airtex pump in friday night. (I really dislike Fed Ex delivering so late in the day, Killed my whole Friday waiting on that pump). It went in great, looked good and it pumps real good. Drove to a couple of local spots and the car worked great.

 

 

 

Remember, a bullet may have your name on it, but a grenade is addressed "To whom it may concern".

[_shel_ny]

(I really dislike Fed Ex delivering so late in the day, Killed my whole Friday waiting on that pump).

You need to move. FedEx delivers to me before 10AM   You could just consider yours an early, early, early Saturday delivery

 

 

 

Edit: spelling

Edited March 23, 2014 by shel_ny

[BobT-47P15]

My pump started out with FedEx, but was actually delivered by the Post Office.  I asked the mailman "what's up with

that"?    He said around here the Post Office goes the "last mile" for FedEx and UPS, doing the actual home

delivery of small packages.  A friend who used to drive for RPX said the big companies try to avoid doing home

delivery when possible....just like to deal with the bigger stuff.     

[DCurrent]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I posted. I took the 48 Plymouth out tonight looking forward to a local car show at a eatery place not to far from here. Well we didn't make it. I made it just around the corner and down the block before it quit. I suspect the fuel pump went bad. I took the bowl loose and turned the motor over and no gas. The funny thing is the pump really doesn't look that dirty or old. I hope that pin that everyone is talking about didn't work out. Looks like I'm going to have to get a pump though. I sure am glad they are making them again!!!

 

Darren

[DCurrent]

Apparently you guys must have bought all the fuel pumps off of ebay since I can't find them now. This isn't good!

[Don Coatney]

Google Airtex 73201 and they can be had at many places.

[DCurrent]

Google Airtex 73201 and they can be had at many places.

Yep I ordered it from rockauto yesterday. It should be here next Friday. Cost just under $70 with shipping.

[DCurrent]

Today I thought I'd get a jump on the install of my new fuel pump so I started removal of the old one. I removed the old one without any problems, but I was curious as to why it wasn't working in the first place. Pressing or pulling the lever down where the cam would depress it, the pump seemed to work. The part where the cam pressed down on it to actuate it looked hardly even worn.  I was rather dumbfounded. I could here it exhaling just fine. The spring that returned the lever to it's original position looked odd to me though. It looked as if it could just fall out. Inspecting it a little more I noticed the pin you all were discussing. Mine was almost completely out. I pushed it back in an the pump worked in a totally different manner. I realized I just fixed the problem, but first I wanted to make sure it was assembled the way it should have been with no missing parts.

 

So I pulled the pin out completely and inspected the parts for wear and made sure I assembled it back as it should have been. The stroke to pull the arm down was much shorter and much stiffer with no side to side motion like before. The spring was much firmer. I staked the pin on both sides so it wouldn't slide out again. It was ready to install back in. But first I made sure there was nothing obstructing the fuel line. I pressurized the gas tank and made sure gas came out the other side. Fuel came out with no issues so there was no problem there. Then I proceeded to install the fuel pump again. Hooked the lines back up and installed the glass bowl. O BOY!! It should come alive again. I pressed the starter button and checked for leaks. I didn't see any leaks, but the bowl was about full of gas. Pushed the button some more and there she goes. What a good feeling that was to see it run again. I guess I'll have an extra fuel pump here before long. Nothing wrong with that.