Replacing Fuel Line
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Litchfield NH
Replacing Fuel Line
Hi. I've got a 69 and I'm replacing the line between the pump and the carb, a rochester quadrajet, because I twisted the line replacing the filter. I was wondering how to make sure that fuel doesn't start flowing out when I remove the bottom part of the line. I've read something about fixing up the pump but the description is confusing. Anyone know?
FWIW I'm thinking of putting an inline filter in instead of the carb filter. Was thinking of taking it out and going down the autozone/pepboys to see if there is a viable short term solution
Thanks -Chris
FWIW I'm thinking of putting an inline filter in instead of the carb filter. Was thinking of taking it out and going down the autozone/pepboys to see if there is a viable short term solution
Thanks -Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Stratford Ontario
If You remove the carb side fuel line, it should only leak out what is in the line. The pump should hold the fuel till it gets pushed by engine running. The filter before carb is a good idea, I like using glass filters so You can see when crap is building up.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
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From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Let it sit for several hours, the fuel pressure will decrease and you should not see any constant leakage, just whats in the line when you remove it.
Careful with those glass filters, they break easy.
I have been tuning my carb for the last few days and I have been disconnecting the fuel line from the carb, with no problems.
Careful with those glass filters, they break easy.
I have been tuning my carb for the last few days and I have been disconnecting the fuel line from the carb, with no problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
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From: CA
You can take a vice grip and pinch (not crush) the rubber hose going from the fuel line to the fuel pump. While you're at it you should inspect these rubber hoses. If original, they could be soft of brittle so change them to prevent a fuel leak. These hoses are molded and can be ordered through one of vette vendors. I would also recommend you purchase a new steel (not stainless) fuel line for your car that runs from the fuel pump to the carb. Also available through one of the vette vendors. You do not want to install a plastic or glass fuel filter or run a rubber hose from the pump to the carb as that in my opinion is a fire hazard. So use the filter in you carb, install a new steel pre-bent fuel line and change the rubber hoses if they are bad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
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As for seeing the dirt build up this is called PREVENTATIVE MAINTAINCE
Save your money for more important things.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 322
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From: Rockford MI
You can take a vice grip and pinch (not crush) the rubber hose going from the fuel line to the fuel pump. While you're at it you should inspect these rubber hoses. If original, they could be soft of brittle so change them to prevent a fuel leak. These hoses are molded and can be ordered through one of vette vendors. I would also recommend you purchase a new steel (not stainless) fuel line for your car that runs from the fuel pump to the carb. Also available through one of the vette vendors. You do not want to install a plastic or glass fuel filter or run a rubber hose from the pump to the carb as that in my opinion is a fire hazard. So use the filter in you carb, install a new steel pre-bent fuel line and change the rubber hoses if they are bad.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Litchfield NH
I thought so too but when I went to a few suppliers (paragon, willcox, zip) they each said that the part would have to be bought in a kit. They recommended buying the line and bending it myself. I thought that was interesting.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
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From: CA
While i dont know what engine you have some 69's had an inline steel fuel filter. This installation would probably require a kit as there would be more than one steel line. Check again with one of the vette suppliers.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
What does your existing fuel line look like? (ie, are you replacing a stock setup or are you following bubba) What engine and carb do you have? Do you have a functional (ie, hooked up) fuel return line?
reread your first post and you said you have a qjet. So what are you replacing? Stock setup uses a gf432 metal fuel filter with a fuel return line coming off the fuel filter. Pump to carb is 2 piece metal line with the screw-in metal filter in the middle.
reread your first post and you said you have a qjet. So what are you replacing? Stock setup uses a gf432 metal fuel filter with a fuel return line coming off the fuel filter. Pump to carb is 2 piece metal line with the screw-in metal filter in the middle.
Last edited by PRNDL; Oct 3, 2010 at 09:46 AM.
Burning Brakes
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Litchfield NH
Well I only broke one line so I was hoping to get away with just replacing that one piece.
I have a 350 with a qjet. In my setup I only have one piece coming from the pump to the carb where the carb filter exists. It would seem as though I am following bubba (which isn't surprising since the large majority of my knowledge was obtained here or through guides manual). I can't see a fuel return line or where it would be (vapor return line, right?)
Does this mean stock setup had two filters? Inline and in-carb?
I have a 350 with a qjet. In my setup I only have one piece coming from the pump to the carb where the carb filter exists. It would seem as though I am following bubba (which isn't surprising since the large majority of my knowledge was obtained here or through guides manual). I can't see a fuel return line or where it would be (vapor return line, right?)
Does this mean stock setup had two filters? Inline and in-carb?
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From: Litchfield NH
Edit - I just found old posts mentioning that a vapor return is not the same as a fuel return and is used on rochester qjet equipped vets. That little tidbit thanks to PRNDL 7 years ago. Thanks! You mentioned you didn't use any return line and replaced with a screw in type filter from pump to carb. How is that working out?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
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From: Florida
You can get these at Summit etc, most have washable screens but some use the long qjet filter. Most have an flare ends.
Easiest to bend your own lines from 3/8 brake line.
Check your frame near the fuel pump, you will have the 3/8 fuel delivery line and probably a 1/4" return line beside it. If there is one there, then just use the correct pump and any inline filter.
There is nothing wrong with the oem qjet filter, just use some copper antisieze on the flare threads and between the nut and the flare. It will prevent twisting the line in future. Always use a wrench to hold the carb fitting too.
The Gf 762 filter pictured above is now a repo and runs around 50 bucks, so unless you're into correct stuff, cheaper and easier to replace the fuel pump with a return type pump and change filter style.
BTW the vapor line (not return) is on the drivers side if equipped and the fuel return line is beside the fuel delivery line on the pass side if so equipped.
Easiest to bend your own lines from 3/8 brake line.
Check your frame near the fuel pump, you will have the 3/8 fuel delivery line and probably a 1/4" return line beside it. If there is one there, then just use the correct pump and any inline filter.
There is nothing wrong with the oem qjet filter, just use some copper antisieze on the flare threads and between the nut and the flare. It will prevent twisting the line in future. Always use a wrench to hold the carb fitting too.
The Gf 762 filter pictured above is now a repo and runs around 50 bucks, so unless you're into correct stuff, cheaper and easier to replace the fuel pump with a return type pump and change filter style.
BTW the vapor line (not return) is on the drivers side if equipped and the fuel return line is beside the fuel delivery line on the pass side if so equipped.
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From: Litchfield NH
I found the delivery line and return as expected. Didn't look for the vapor return.
Yeah I'm not much for exact repo. Went to autozone and pepboys today; they had precut fuel line and filters. Looks like you used an aftermarket fuel filter there. What type is it?
Anyone have suggestions for that route? Think its needs to be mounted? I'll probably go look for a wix inline fuel filter.
Yeah I'm not much for exact repo. Went to autozone and pepboys today; they had precut fuel line and filters. Looks like you used an aftermarket fuel filter there. What type is it?
Anyone have suggestions for that route? Think its needs to be mounted? I'll probably go look for a wix inline fuel filter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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Well I only broke one line so I was hoping to get away with just replacing that one piece.
I have a 350 with a qjet. In my setup I only have one piece coming from the pump to the carb where the carb filter exists. It would seem as though I am following bubba (which isn't surprising since the large majority of my knowledge was obtained here or through guides manual). I can't see a fuel return line or where it would be (vapor return line, right?)
Does this mean stock setup had two filters? Inline and in-carb?
I have a 350 with a qjet. In my setup I only have one piece coming from the pump to the carb where the carb filter exists. It would seem as though I am following bubba (which isn't surprising since the large majority of my knowledge was obtained here or through guides manual). I can't see a fuel return line or where it would be (vapor return line, right?)
Does this mean stock setup had two filters? Inline and in-carb?
Paragon sells the original GF-432 filter for $40 and the mounting bracket kit for $10...or you could go with a replacement style metal filter for $30 that includes a mounting bracket. Either mounting bracket attaches to the A.I.R. pump bracket...which you are probably missing but can still attach to the mounting bolt. Paragon also sells the 3-piece steel fuel line kit for $46, which is assuming that you have the correct #40709 fuel pump installed. If not, then that will set you back another $155. If so, then you just need the fuel hoses with special clamps for $30 or so, one "S" hose from the fuel supply line to the pump, one short piece from the fuel filter return to the short steel fuel return line, and one from that line to the car's fuel return line.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Litchfield NH
Thanks, I'm looking for correctly engineered and installed rather than correctly engineered, installed, and factory exact. It seems as though the return line is on the pump which indicates its a 70+ type of pump where the pressure is regulated in the pump removing the need for the return line on the filter. Maybe bubba wasn't too crazy and that would save me a little bit of effort and cash.
Given that the return is on the pump, I'm not sure if the risk/reward is there for redoing the fuel system to original spec. Maybe I'm wrong, someone who knows should correct me.
Given that the return is on the pump, I'm not sure if the risk/reward is there for redoing the fuel system to original spec. Maybe I'm wrong, someone who knows should correct me.
