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I'm trying to change the fuel filter on my 69 C3. Everything I have read or seen shows the filter is housed where the fuel line connects to the carb. Problem is, I unhooked the line and nothing is inside the inlet.
So where does the filter go? Is it inside that cannister that is connected to the fuel line (to the right of my hand)? Is that, in fact, a fuel filter? I have never figured out what it does. I tried to unhook the cannister from the fuel line, but the old bolts wouldn't budge.
Basically just need to know where my fuel filter goes! Thanks!
That cannister is an inline fuel filter. I don't believe a 69 came that way. Nor did it come with a rubber fuel line . That rubber hose is right over your exhaust manifold. A leak, and a rubber line will eventually leak, would be catastrophic dripping onto an exhaust. The filter is supposed to be in the carb housing. I wonder if that is the original carb. The fuel inlet on my 72 is at the front of the carb. There is a spring that goes behind the filter in the housing. You need to purchase a AIM for the exact layout of that fuel system.
That canister next to your a/c compressor is the fuel filter and it looks to be stock for a small block. At least excepting the rubber hose outlet and clamp.
The thingy in your hand looks like a filter element for an in-carb fuel filter. They only go on certain carbs. [My after market Holley doesnt have one]
You might want to mention that you have an Edelbrock carb, not a stock Quadrajet. You should search for information from Edelbrock on your specific part number.
At the yellow arrow, does the fitting that your (rubber, yikes!) fuel line attaches to unscrew? The filter you are holding looks like it might fit there (inside the carb).
Your current fuel filter appears to be at the green arrow. It has a return line, like a diesel fuel/water separator? EDIT: This appears to be the stock, correct filter for a 68-69 Corvette.
Also, please get rid of rubber fuel line on the pressurized side of your fuel system (after the fuel pump). You can use AN fittings and steel line (email Lars to ask for his fuel line papers), as it appears you will need a slightly custom solution.
Last edited by Bikespace; Feb 23, 2019 at 11:13 PM.
So the consensus seems to be that I need a new fuel line. How hard of a job would that be for me to do on my own? Do I need to replace the entire line or just the part from the fuel filter cannister to the carb?
You might want to mention that you have an Edelbrock carb, not a stock Quadrajet.
Thanks for the diagram! And as for the carb, I honestly wouldn't haven known to mention it, as I am a relative newby to cars. I knew the carb was new, but that was it.
As for the inline fuel filter cannister. Do I just replace that? Or is there a paper filter that goes inside of the cannister?
While I am disappointed to realize the rubber filter-to-carb hose needs addressing, I'm happy to find out that the mystery cannister is a fuel filter, and is standard. To address both issues, do I need to be in the market for the parts below? What worries me is all the fuel lines I try to find say "pump to carb". There don't appear to be any lines specifically for the filter-to-carb.
The stock canister fuel filter is available every where, as either a GM original replacement part or after market.
I used Jegs for the fuel line upgrade going from my stock filter to my Holley fuel intake, which is on the front driver side of my carb
They offer a few options, some even specifically for your Edelbrock. Mine needed a separate AN elbow from the filter threaded outlet to the new line. But the line was chromed steel and was bent to the shape that would route under my air cleaner, and connected to the carb with a banjo fitting which saved space.
I'd attach pictures but i haven't transferred them to my new phone yet.
Something like this may work for you.
Also, those 3 lines in your last post would be what you'd use if you had the stock Q-Jet carb. One goes from the pump to the inlet on the filter, another [the smaller diameter] goes from the filter return back to the tank [eventually], and the third would be for the filter to the carb IF you didn't have the Edelbrock. you'd end up discarding that one in favor of whatever you need to get from the filter to your carb inlet.
Also, those 3 lines in your last post would be what you'd use if you had the stock Q-Jet carb. One goes from the pump to the inlet on the filter, another [the smaller diameter] goes from the filter return back to the tank [eventually], and the third would be for the filter to the carb IF you didn't have the Edelbrock. you'd end up discarding that one in favor of whatever you need to get from the filter to your carb inlet.
This is extremely helpful! So I just need to find a specific filter to carb line that fits my specific Edelbrock (I believe it's an Edelbrock) carb, right?
Yes. That, and you'll need to pay attention to how it will route under your air cleaner. My Holley inlet is high on the front left corner of the carb, so the line from Jegs needed to tuck in close and low along the carb before it bent up to the inlet.
Wish i had my photos with me. I'll post when I get back to my desktop.
Last edited by Bergerboy; Feb 24, 2019 at 05:31 AM.
This is extremely helpful! So I just need to find a specific filter to carb line that fits my specific Edelbrock (I believe it's an Edelbrock) carb, right?
Yes and no. I doubt anyone makes fuel line for a 68-69 Corvette SBC with an Edelbrock carb. You'll at least have to custom bend some line (annoying with regular steel lines, but not impossible, don't start with stainless steel lines, though). Bergerboy got you halfway there with the fitting and bend of line to make up the distance, though you may need the banjo bolt on your carb as well. You may only need to go from fuel line fitting to NPT, do some bending, and be all set.
First off, as stated above, an Edelbrock carb does not use an in carb filter. The inline filter you have is correct for your car.
Why do you want to change it? Are you having fuel delivery problems? If not, I would suggest you just leave it alone. ( the filter)
The rubber hose is a different story. As suggested the Edelbrock line shown above gets you a good start.
Unless the hard line from the pump to the filter is rusted out you should not need to replace it. That would only leave the line from the filter to the new Edelbrock line if you should decide to get it.
Your current filter has a 90* bend with the rubber hose connected. That hard line uses a double flare to the filter.
A trip to your local auto parts store will get you a short section of brake line for cheap. It will have a double flare with nuts on both ends. You can bend the brake line to go from the filter to the new line.
Using a compression fitting that goes from pipe thread to 3/8 tube, cut the newly formed line to the proper lent and tighten the compression to seal.
Be sure to use thread sealer on the pipe fitting connection.
Now you have a hard and safe connection from pump to carb.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
The reason you have a rubber fuel line from the gas filter outlet to carb is because that is not the original carb the car came with which was a Rochester. So a previous owner then needed to cut the original metal fuel line from filter out let to carb because it would no longer fit. Easy and acceptable fix is put in a rubber line which you have. Don't be swayed by the 'concensus' of a few members who think rubber fuel lines will fail and you will die burning in the **** pit. Ridiculous. Rubber fuel lines are very common in the aftermarket and are designed specifically for fuel line use. It's sold by the rolls in parts stores. I ran mine with a rubber fuel line for years. So feel free to replace the rubber fuel line with another rubber one. Replace the two gear clamps with quality ones. Check your fuel line every time you check your oil level for any signs of deterioration but the line should last for a few years or more.
X2 - Do not fear the rubber fuel line. You could fabricate a steel line but it is not an emergency.
Avoid any of those aftermarket glass fuel filters with replaceable elements and rubber o-rings on the end caps. Especially true if you store your car for any amount of time. Those rubber o-ring gaskets will shrink when they dry out. When you come back to take it out of storage, the filter will leak and spray fuel all over the place. I did catch it before it lit up so I was lucky.
Yes, that rubber fuel line IS a fire waiting to happen. Looking at your picture, it looks like the metal pipe was cut off and a hose and clamp slid over the cut pipe. No sort of bubble flare- like on radiator inlets and outlets- on the pipe to secure the hose. The hose may not be a problem but how it is attached may very well be the problem. My suggestion is either replace that set up with steel line and proper fittings or adapt it to AN fittings and use a quality Teflon AN hose and hose ends.
First off, as stated above, an Edelbrock carb does not use an in carb filter. The inline filter you have is correct for your car.
Why do you want to change it? Are you having fuel delivery problems? If not, I would suggest you just leave it alone. ( the filter)
The rubber hose is a different story. As suggested the Edelbrock line shown above gets you a good start.
Unless the hard line from the pump to the filter is rusted out you should not need to replace it. That would only leave the line from the filter to the new Edelbrock line if you should decide to get it.
Your current filter has a 90* bend with the rubber hose connected. That hard line uses a double flare to the filter.
A trip to your local auto parts store will get you a short section of brake line for cheap. It will have a double flare with nuts on both ends. You can bend the brake line to go from the filter to the new line.
Using a compression fitting that goes from pipe thread to 3/8 tube, cut the newly formed line to the proper lent and tighten the compression to seal.
Be sure to use thread sealer on the pipe fitting connection.
Now you have a hard and safe connection from pump to carb.
Thanks! I want to change the fuel filter because there have been fuel issues, as my car seems to struggle to start smoothly. Figured a clean filter couldn't hurt. But is there a paper filament inside the cannister that I can replace? Or do I have to replace the whole fuel filter cannister?
I do fear your suggestion for a DIY filter to carb metal line is too much for me as a novice. If you could describe it in more laymen's terms? 😂 I would prefer to just get a regular steel fuel line and bend it if needed.
Yes and no. I doubt anyone makes fuel line for a 68-69 Corvette SBC with an Edelbrock carb. You'll at least have to custom bend some line (annoying with regular steel lines, but not impossible, don't start with stainless steel lines, though). Bergerboy got you halfway there with the fitting and bend of line to make up the distance, though you may need the banjo bolt on your carb as well. You may only need to go from fuel line fitting to NPT, do some bending, and be all set.
Thanks! This sounds simple enough for my novice level. Is it okay to bend a steel fuel line like that? Won't hurt it? And yeah, how do I navigate finding a proper fit to the inlet?
The part you keep on referring to as a "cannister" is the fuel filter and the complete unit would be replaced.
This :thumb
Bending tubing is not rocket science but you can not bend it without a tubing bender of some sort. You can get a loaner from the auto parts place.
Just bending a fuel line is all I was suggesting above. By starting with a piece of brake line, the double flare and nut is already there and ready to screw onto your filter.
To connect to an Edelbrock carb with a hard line you will need the piece shown above.
Edelbrocks come out of the box with a fitting for rubber hose connections.
Fuel Filter Replacement - Simple Question!
