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Could someone pls explain: return fuel line

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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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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?
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:29 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 11:19 PM
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BTW, where can you get a correct fuel pump that uses the return line?
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 11:36 PM
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Any auto parts store, eBay, any Corvette parts house. it's easier to find one with than without.
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 12:47 AM
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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.
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Shrike


BTW, where can you get a correct fuel pump that uses the return line?
I got one from Paragon.
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:02 AM
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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...
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 10:06 AM
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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?
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 10:11 AM
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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,
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 11:25 AM
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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
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 01:10 PM
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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
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by vettepilot68
...but what isnt
the one that goes inthe Qjet was 2.10
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by sweethence
the one that goes inthe Qjet was 2.10
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Old Mar 14, 2006 | 10:41 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 09:20 PM
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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
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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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?
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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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?
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 11:12 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 11:26 PM
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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.]

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