438556 Mechanical Fuel Pump Assembly

Mechanical Fuel Pump — Compatible with select Johnson Evinrude 2-Stroke (438556 2-port)

Which pump is this?

This is a complete mechanical fuel-pump assembly for Johnson / Evinrude 2-stroke outboards that use the 438556 / 0438556 family — a 2-port block-pulse pump. Pulse comes through the mounting base, not through a third nipple. Current BRP-style number is 0438556 (written 438556 without the leading zero). The table lists the predecessor chain (388268, 385781, 433387, 432451 and related). Compatible with the Johnson / Evinrude HP groups in the fitment table, from older 33 / 40 HP late-1960s rows through 1990s 20–55 HP twins and larger 80–140 HP groups. Aftermarket catalogs that only say 25–55 HP 1976–89 are a subset — match the stamp. It is not an electric pump, not a 3-nipple external-pulse pump, and not a filter cartridge.

Signs yours is due

• Pre-1990 Johnson / Evinrude 2-stroke with no VRO starves at cruise; the bulb stays firm — 2-port block-pulse valves are tired.
• Fuel weep at the flange gasket (pulse through the base) rather than at a third nipple you do not have.
• You counted nipples: two ports on the body, pulse through the pad. A 3-nipple pump will bolt on some brackets and still be wrong.
• Not VRO oil-pump failure and not the later 3-nipple 438555 / 438559 bodies.

Will it fit?

Compatible with Johnson / Evinrude 2-stroke HP groups in the table — including 20 / 25 / 28 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 48 / 50 / 55 HP and also 33 HP 1968–70, 60 / 65 / 80 / 85 / 88 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 112 / 115 / 140 HP rows and a 9.90 HP 1979 catalog group. Years run roughly 1968–1998 depending on HP. Serial is often not listed. 25 HP is the trap: some 25 HP use this 2-port 438556, later 25 HP use 3-nipple 438555. Count ports and read the stamp. Do not order from a 25–55 HP aftermarket headline alone.

Engine horsepower alone does not prove fit. Match the number stamped on the pump you remove to the OEM column.

Every row is from this SKU fitment workbook (23 rows after empty-line filter). Same horsepower name shipped different pumps.

OEM and swap numbers

OEM / predecessor numbers keep the engine-brand column. Aftermarket cross-refs are numbers only.

Wrong part

• NOT 438555 / 0438555 — smaller 3-nipple pump (17FP010). Different pulse path.
• NOT 438559 / 0438559 — larger 3-nipple family (17FP009).
• NOT electric pump 5032617, and NOT rebuild kits 0393103 / 0438616.
• NOT a fuel-filter cartridge. Old drafts titled 438556 as a filter — that was a template error.

What ships

One complete mechanical fuel-pump assembly. 2-port block-pulse body. No hose, no VRO oil pump, no rebuild kit.

Often replaced together

3-nipple 18–35 HP = 17FP010 (438555). Larger 3-nipple = 17FP009 (438559). Diaphragm kits are a different SKU. Primer bulbs sold separately.

Install

Photograph the two hoses and the flange. Pulse is in the gasket / base, not a third barb — if your old pump has three nipples, stop and go to 17FP010 or 17FP009. Clamp fuel. Remove two screws. Compare port layout to the new body before you force hoses on. Fit a new flange gasket with the pulse hole open; a 180° gasket is a common miss and the engine will not pick up fuel. Prime, leak-check at the pad, idle on muffs. Do not install an electric pump in this block-pulse location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 18-7352 this pump?

18-7352 is a cross-ref number for the 438556 2-port family. We list the number only. Confirm two ports and the 438556 stamp — 18-7352 in an old folder name on 17FP009 was the wrong identity.

Will this fit every 25–55 HP Johnson 1976–89?

Many of those rows are in the table, but the official HP list is wider (including 33 HP 1968 and 80–140 HP groups). Some 25 HP motors use 438555 instead. Match the stamp and port count.

Is this an electric fuel pump?

No. Mechanical 2-port block-pulse. Old learning files that said “electrical” were describing a neighbor part (5032617), not this SKU.

My pump has three nipples.

Wrong page. Three nipples = 438555 (17FP010) or 438559 (17FP009).

What ships?

One 2-port mechanical pump assembly.

Please note

Aftermarket fuel pump by GHMarine. Not affiliated with the engine brands named above. «Compatible with», «Replaces», and cross-ref numbers mean this part is built to work like the originals listed — always confirm the stamp on the removed pump, the engine model, and the serial range before you order. This page is the pump only, not a multi-part kit.