Help identifying this bushing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 146
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From: Arlington VA
Help identifying this bushing
Hi all,
I'm pretty new (days, actually) to corvette ownership, and trying to get things sorted out as to what to fix or tweak.
A fairly large fuel leak last night brought me to my first round of mandatory fixes (shortly after the accelerator cable stuck open). So while taking photos and trying to diagnose which part or hose of the tank was leaking I saw these bushings that are shot. Photo is just above the sway bar on the passenger's side and you can see the fuel line runs behind it. What's this called? I have a Haynes manual but can't find photos that look like it. I know it's not the cross-member bushing...
Help?
I'm pretty new (days, actually) to corvette ownership, and trying to get things sorted out as to what to fix or tweak.
A fairly large fuel leak last night brought me to my first round of mandatory fixes (shortly after the accelerator cable stuck open). So while taking photos and trying to diagnose which part or hose of the tank was leaking I saw these bushings that are shot. Photo is just above the sway bar on the passenger's side and you can see the fuel line runs behind it. What's this called? I have a Haynes manual but can't find photos that look like it. I know it's not the cross-member bushing...
Help?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Arlington VA
Awesome - thanks for that!!
So, I'm guessing something like this from Summit would work:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-4142R/
Poly vs. Rubber debates aside, I want to accent the car with Red (it's white exterior, black interior with red accents). So, I like the idea of this.
As for the rubber fuel line hose - thanks for the idea. I'm not sure how new/old the fuel line is, but it doesn't look old/worn. Are metal/braided fuel lines the current norm?
So, I'm guessing something like this from Summit would work:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-4142R/
Poly vs. Rubber debates aside, I want to accent the car with Red (it's white exterior, black interior with red accents). So, I like the idea of this.
As for the rubber fuel line hose - thanks for the idea. I'm not sure how new/old the fuel line is, but it doesn't look old/worn. Are metal/braided fuel lines the current norm?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 146
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From: Arlington VA
Actually - nevermind on the above link. Looks like that doesn't work for the C3. Here's something I've found from Ecklers:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1973-1982.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1973-1982.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,390
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Dh,
NEW old 73 Corvette, GREAT.
As you learn more about the needs of your car I think you'll find the GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, (there's one for each year of production). will be a greater help to you than the Haynes manual.
You also might want to consider buying the AIM, (ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL), for your car too. There's one for each year of production and they were used in St.Louis on the production line.
Both of these manuals contain a tremendous amount of information that's a great help to someone working on an old Corvette.
The original fuel line and return line that ran from the tank to the fuel pump were made of tinned steel. They're very difficult to replace with the body in place. The rubber line is a solution, but a dangerous one.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
NEW old 73 Corvette, GREAT.
As you learn more about the needs of your car I think you'll find the GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, (there's one for each year of production). will be a greater help to you than the Haynes manual.
You also might want to consider buying the AIM, (ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL), for your car too. There's one for each year of production and they were used in St.Louis on the production line.
Both of these manuals contain a tremendous amount of information that's a great help to someone working on an old Corvette.
The original fuel line and return line that ran from the tank to the fuel pump were made of tinned steel. They're very difficult to replace with the body in place. The rubber line is a solution, but a dangerous one.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 11, 2012 at 05:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Your bushings are old, but not to the point where replacing them is a have-to job. They've got a few years on them yet.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 146
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From: Arlington VA
Wow - thanks for the responses!
I've bought a rubber-only kit from Ecklers, ordered the AIM on paper and CD from Corvette America, and also got a new set of body reinforcement mounts for the bushing mounts as well.
Now if I can just find the time to drop the gas tank and figure out why 2 gallons of gas leaked out last night when parked at an angle, I'll be golden!
I've bought a rubber-only kit from Ecklers, ordered the AIM on paper and CD from Corvette America, and also got a new set of body reinforcement mounts for the bushing mounts as well.
Now if I can just find the time to drop the gas tank and figure out why 2 gallons of gas leaked out last night when parked at an angle, I'll be golden!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Arlington VA
No - it wasn't that full. I was told by the previous owner last weekend I shouldn't fill it all the way. But I haven't been able to drop the tank yet to see what the condition of the hoses are. I'm pretty sure it's not a faulty tank seal because the fuel level is still well above the mid-point of the tank where the halves are sealed together.
I haven't been able to find a comprehensive fuel tank, hose and connector diagram to tell what exact lines are on the right side top of the fuel tank yet. Know of any I can look at before my AIM arrives?
I haven't been able to find a comprehensive fuel tank, hose and connector diagram to tell what exact lines are on the right side top of the fuel tank yet. Know of any I can look at before my AIM arrives?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
Here's a picture of a tank for a '73. There is a 1/4" tube on the right (passenger) side that connects to the return line on the fuel pump. If the rubber line is gone or leaking, it is a great place to lose gas. A similar 1/4" tube on the left side of the tank connects to the vapor canister in the engine compartment. If that line is gone or leaking, all you are likely to lose is fumes from the tank. The vapor line actually connects to a rollover valve mounted on the bracket just in front of the tube on the tank. Hope this helps.
r9sUw5qBMf-fWt4dg~~_12.JPG)
Here's a picture of the two lines where they mount to the rear frame. The 3/8" tube bends toward the bottom of the tank and connects with a rubber hose. The 1/4" tube bends up toward the top of the tank and also connects with a rubber hose. The braided line setup isn't stock. I was mocking up the connections before switching the hard lines to stainless steel. As pointed out earlier, this is a PITA job but if you are replacing body mounts, that would be the time to consider doing it.
Here's a picture of the two lines where they mount to the rear frame. The 3/8" tube bends toward the bottom of the tank and connects with a rubber hose. The 1/4" tube bends up toward the top of the tank and also connects with a rubber hose. The braided line setup isn't stock. I was mocking up the connections before switching the hard lines to stainless steel. As pointed out earlier, this is a PITA job but if you are replacing body mounts, that would be the time to consider doing it.
Last edited by Bob Heine; Oct 11, 2012 at 03:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Austin Tx
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 146
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From: Arlington VA
The leak I think came from the passenger side - it's hard to tell because the car was leaning that direction. But I imagine it would have to have come from that side, so the return line is likely the culprit.
The carb has a return line that's not hooked up, and the vent tube for the carbon cannister for the vapor separator in the engine compartment is missing. I'm guessing the carbon vent tube is an easy fix since it's just a rubber tube, but not sure about the return line issue. Is it necessary?
The carb has a return line that's not hooked up, and the vent tube for the carbon cannister for the vapor separator in the engine compartment is missing. I'm guessing the carbon vent tube is an easy fix since it's just a rubber tube, but not sure about the return line issue. Is it necessary?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi dh,
Here are a couple of pictures from my 71.... your 73 is the same.
Good luck with your tank.
Regards,
Alan
Passenger's side: supply to, and return from, the fuel pump.
Driver's side: line to vapor canister in the engine compartment.
Here are a couple of pictures from my 71.... your 73 is the same.
Good luck with your tank.
Regards,
Alan
Passenger's side: supply to, and return from, the fuel pump.
Driver's side: line to vapor canister in the engine compartment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
With the crap gas today, make sure you replace the rubber lines (or whatever type lines you decide on) are compatible with today's fuel. The standard rubber hoses we used to get won't last as long with the alcohol. On the suction side of the fuel pump, the rubber hoses are fine- on the pressure side, I won't run any type of braided hose or rubber. It's too easy to bend and flare the steel tube, and have zero risk of a leak and a BBQ.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Polyurethane bushings are over kill for a daily driver/cruiser. You do not need anything that stiff. Regular stock rubber replacement bushings will be fine.
Your bushings are old, but not to the point where replacing them is a have-to job. They've got a few years on them yet.
Your bushings are old, but not to the point where replacing them is a have-to job. They've got a few years on them yet.
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 11, 2012 at 07:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Arlington VA
Great - thanks for the input, and I'll be getting a variety of new rubber lines.
Question - anyone know what all that white crap/build-up is?
I ordered a new set of bushings and read body mount reinforcements - psyched to have them put in.
One of these days I'll have to buy a house. Then I'll have a garage. Until then - I'll be having a local mechanic shop work on the car, with my AIM manual in hand. And if I'm lucky I'll convince them to let me work on it alongside the mechanics.
Question - anyone know what all that white crap/build-up is?
I ordered a new set of bushings and read body mount reinforcements - psyched to have them put in.
One of these days I'll have to buy a house. Then I'll have a garage. Until then - I'll be having a local mechanic shop work on the car, with my AIM manual in hand. And if I'm lucky I'll convince them to let me work on it alongside the mechanics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 146
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From: Arlington VA
Yeah - it does have a few problems, but as far as I can tell - not much rust. At least not much more than surface rust. I did have a couple folks (one old-time vette owner and mechanic) take some pretty serious looks and it all looks workable. Bird cage is quite fine, although the weather stripping needs replacement. I'll be taking the doors off soon, to get into a few things (door handle, lock mechanism, insulation & hush padding) and will see what's really inside there.
But I figure if I put $10k or less into it overall, I'll be pretty happy (above the purchase price).
But I figure if I put $10k or less into it overall, I'll be pretty happy (above the purchase price).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
You picked a good year and my favorite color!
The fuel line I would do soon. The body mounts you can live with for a while.
I would NOT want to lay up my new Vette for and long amount of time.
Drive it for a few months and see what else needs fixin' (as they say down here).
Enjoy!
The fuel line I would do soon. The body mounts you can live with for a while.
I would NOT want to lay up my new Vette for and long amount of time.
Drive it for a few months and see what else needs fixin' (as they say down here).
Enjoy!
