C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Could someone pls explain: return fuel line

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:16 PM
  #1  
vettepilot68's Avatar
vettepilot68
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Default Could someone pls explain: return fuel line

The previous owner put a glass fuel filter on my car and capped off the return line that would have otherwise run into the stock filter. What is the purpose of the return line coming off the filter going back to the tank? Is there some part of the system that is not working properly because that line is capped off?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:29 PM
  #2  
chris75stingray's Avatar
chris75stingray
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
Default

the return line is so the excess fuel can return to the tank and so the fuel is always circulating to prevent vapor lock. it isnt absolutely nessecary to have but it doesn't hurt either. if you do alot of city driving you might want to put it back in.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 11:19 PM
  #3  
Shrike's Avatar
Shrike
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
Default



BTW, where can you get a correct fuel pump that uses the return line?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 11:36 PM
  #4  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Any auto parts store, eBay, any Corvette parts house. it's easier to find one with than without.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 12:47 AM
  #5  
PRNDL's Avatar
PRNDL
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Default

Originally Posted by Shrike


BTW, where can you get a correct fuel pump that uses the return line?

except for the op a "correct" fuel pump would not have a fuel return line outlet. For 68 and 69, the fuel return line comes off the fuel filter. In 1970 the fuel pump has the extra outlet for the fuel return line.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:01 AM
  #6  
vettepilot68's Avatar
vettepilot68
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Default

Originally Posted by Shrike


BTW, where can you get a correct fuel pump that uses the return line?
I got one from Paragon.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:02 AM
  #7  
vettepilot68's Avatar
vettepilot68
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Default

Originally Posted by chris75stingray
the return line is so the excess fuel can return to the tank and so the fuel is always circulating to prevent vapor lock. it isnt absolutely nessecary to have but it doesn't hurt either. if you do alot of city driving you might want to put it back in.
Thanks. Vapor lock is exactly what I was wondering about...
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 10:06 AM
  #8  
Shrike's Avatar
Shrike
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
Default

Originally Posted by PRNDL
except for the op a "correct" fuel pump would not have a fuel return line outlet. For 68 and 69, the fuel return line comes off the fuel filter. In 1970 the fuel pump has the extra outlet for the fuel return line.
No kidding! I learn something new everyday ('course, I usually forget a couple of old things at the same time)

I wonder which works better? The pump return line or the filter?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 10:11 AM
  #9  
73 red vette's Avatar
73 red vette
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
Default

Originally Posted by vettepilot68
Thanks. Vapor lock is exactly what I was wondering about...
Both of my vettes have the return line to the tank , the 78 has been like that for years, I did it when I went to an electric fuel pump. Just did it to the 73 when the fuel pump quit on me, put a mechanical pump in I had in storage(no return on it)
never have had a vapor lock problem since I did this on either one,
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 11:25 AM
  #10  
sweethence's Avatar
sweethence
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Default

Originally Posted by Shrike
No kidding! I learn something new everyday ('course, I usually forget a couple of old things at the same time)

I wonder which works better? The pump return line or the filter?

Dont know which works better, but i will tell u this those filters are expensive. I have the 327 and replace my filters each season. and its like 25 bucks each time i do from Napa
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 01:10 PM
  #11  
vettepilot68's Avatar
vettepilot68
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Default

Originally Posted by sweethence
Dont know which works better, but i will tell u this those filters are expensive. I have the 327 and replace my filters each season. and its like 25 bucks each time i do from Napa
...but what isnt
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 01:12 PM
  #12  
sweethence's Avatar
sweethence
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Default

Originally Posted by vettepilot68
...but what isnt
the one that goes inthe Qjet was 2.10
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:56 PM
  #13  
Jclgodale3's Avatar
Jclgodale3
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Default

Originally Posted by sweethence
the one that goes inthe Qjet was 2.10
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 10:41 PM
  #14  
vettepilot68's Avatar
vettepilot68
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Default

Originally Posted by sweethence
the one that goes inthe Qjet was 2.10
exactly

Last edited by vettepilot68; Mar 14, 2006 at 10:44 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2006 | 09:20 PM
  #15  
Highhat's Avatar
Highhat
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia PA
Default

Sorry for feeling so dumb, but after my regulator (from electric pump), to where to you run the return line? Cant run it into the top of the tanK.

Thanks
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2006 | 10:13 PM
  #16  
Gr8Wht's Avatar
Gr8Wht
CF Veteran
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 17
From: Northern CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25
Default

Originally Posted by Highhat
Sorry for feeling so dumb, but after my regulator (from electric pump), to where to you run the return line? Cant run it into the top of the tanK.

Thanks
Both supply and return, as well as the vapor line (drivers side) go back to the tank and connect to the plate assembly (sending unit). Why can't you?
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2006 | 10:24 PM
  #17  
Highhat's Avatar
Highhat
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia PA
Default

Are you saying at the bottom tank from where my electric pump draws, or to somewhere at the top of the tank (I presume there is a nipple coupling?.
Originally Posted by Gr8Wht
Both supply and return, as well as the vapor line (drivers side) go back to the tank and connect to the plate assembly (sending unit). Why can't you?
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2006 | 11:12 PM
  #18  
PRNDL's Avatar
PRNDL
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Default

If your vette originally had a fuel return line then the gas tank has a place for it. This is a pic of a 68 gastank that has a provision for the fuel return line. Cars that did not have the fuel return line (tripower 427s for example) had a different gas tank without that little nipple that you see in the pic.


[If your vette did not have a return line originally then you won't have an easy access point on your gas tank.]


Last edited by PRNDL; Apr 4, 2006 at 11:22 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2006 | 11:26 PM
  #19  
Highhat's Avatar
Highhat
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia PA
Default

Thanks. Right on point. That's what I was afraid of.
Originally Posted by PRNDL
If your vette originally had a fuel return line then the gas tank has a place for it. This is a pic of a 68 gastank that has a provision for the fuel return line. Cars that did not have the fuel return line (tripower 427s for example) had a different gas tank without that little nipple that you see in the pic.


[If your vette did not have a return line originally then you won't have an easy access point on your gas tank.]

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Could someone pls explain: return fuel line





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:55 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE