Fuel Line Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Fuel Line Help
Does anyone have any advice on how to get metal fuel line fittings to seal? I am installing an OEM pump to Carb (Quadrajet) fuel line. It seals fine at the pump, but is leaking at the carb. The fuel line meets the carb pretty good. I have tried about half dozen times now. I guide the line into the carb, seat it, tighten down the fitting until it stops. I am using flare wrenches and I can’t get it to stop leaking. Any tighter and I will round the fitting. It is leaking more than a couple drops and that is from just turning the engine over. No obvious variances from the line being replaced. Carb side is good. Any tricks to this?
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by wheatpj; Jul 7, 2017 at 12:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,301
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi w,
I'n not a mechanic.
I unbolt the carburetor from the intake manifold and position it in such a way that the fuel line is perfectly aligned with the carburetor fitting.
You'll know when you have it aligned properly because you'll be able to tighten the flare nut by hand for several turns.
I then just 'snug' the flare nut with a flare wrench and move the carb back into place. Tighten the carb in place and then finish tightening the flare nut.
Maybe it will work for you too?
Regards,
Alan
This is a 71.
I'n not a mechanic.
I unbolt the carburetor from the intake manifold and position it in such a way that the fuel line is perfectly aligned with the carburetor fitting.
You'll know when you have it aligned properly because you'll be able to tighten the flare nut by hand for several turns.
I then just 'snug' the flare nut with a flare wrench and move the carb back into place. Tighten the carb in place and then finish tightening the flare nut.
Maybe it will work for you too?
Regards,
Alan
This is a 71.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 7, 2017 at 12:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1,382
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Does anyone have any advice on how to get metal fuel line fittings to seal? I am installing an OEM pump to Carb (Quadrajet) fuel line. It seals fine at the pump, but is leaking at the carb. The fuel line meets the carb pretty good. I have tried about half dozen times now. I guide the line into the carb, seat it, tighten down the fitting until it stops. I am using flare wrenches and I can’t get it to stop leaking. Any tighter and I will round the fitting. It is leaking more than a couple drops and that is from just turning the engine over. No obvious variances from the line being replaced. Carb side is good. Any tricks to this?
Thanks
Thanks
I use them on the fittings on my Holley, makes a good tight seal without having to over tighten the line.
Here is a link to their description.
https://www.grainger.com/category/fl...+flare+gaskets
Any fittings supply place should have them. I get them from a local supplier here.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Hi w,
I'n not a mechanic.
I unbolt the carburetor from the intake manifold and position it in such a way that the fuel line is perfectly aligned with the carburetor fitting.
You'll know when you have it aligned properly because you'll be able to tighten the flare nut by hand for several turns.
I then just 'snug' the flare nut with a flare wrench and move the carb back into place. Tighten the carb in place and then finish tightening the flare nut.
Maybe it will work for you too?
Regards,
Alan
I'n not a mechanic.
I unbolt the carburetor from the intake manifold and position it in such a way that the fuel line is perfectly aligned with the carburetor fitting.
You'll know when you have it aligned properly because you'll be able to tighten the flare nut by hand for several turns.
I then just 'snug' the flare nut with a flare wrench and move the carb back into place. Tighten the carb in place and then finish tightening the flare nut.
Maybe it will work for you too?
Regards,
Alan
Thanks again
Pat
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Hi w,
I'n not a mechanic.
I unbolt the carburetor from the intake manifold and position it in such a way that the fuel line is perfectly aligned with the carburetor fitting.
You'll know when you have it aligned properly because you'll be able to tighten the flare nut by hand for several turns.
I then just 'snug' the flare nut with a flare wrench and move the carb back into place. Tighten the carb in place and then finish tightening the flare nut.
Maybe it will work for you too?
Regards,
Alan
This is a 71.
I'n not a mechanic.
I unbolt the carburetor from the intake manifold and position it in such a way that the fuel line is perfectly aligned with the carburetor fitting.
You'll know when you have it aligned properly because you'll be able to tighten the flare nut by hand for several turns.
I then just 'snug' the flare nut with a flare wrench and move the carb back into place. Tighten the carb in place and then finish tightening the flare nut.
Maybe it will work for you too?
Regards,
Alan
This is a 71.
Alan, that worked perfectly.
A thousand thanks
Pat
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,374
Likes: 6,373
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Make sure you lubricate the fittings: You need to put a little grease on the threads and on the back side of the flare where the nut rides up against the tube. This will prevent galling of the threads, and will permit proper torque.
If the line you're using is a stainless line with single flares on it, you should use a flare gasket. If it's a standard steel line with double flares, it should seal up using a combination of Alan's technique and the lubrication.
Lars
If the line you're using is a stainless line with single flares on it, you should use a flare gasket. If it's a standard steel line with double flares, it should seal up using a combination of Alan's technique and the lubrication.
Lars
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
You need copper flare gaskets........
I use them on the fittings on my Holley, makes a good tight seal without having to over tighten the line.
Here is a link to their description.
https://www.grainger.com/category/fl...+flare+gaskets
Any fittings supply place should have them. I get them from a local supplier here.
I use them on the fittings on my Holley, makes a good tight seal without having to over tighten the line.
Here is a link to their description.
https://www.grainger.com/category/fl...+flare+gaskets
Any fittings supply place should have them. I get them from a local supplier here.
Thanks for the advise.
Pat
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Make sure you lubricate the fittings: You need to put a little grease on the threads and on the back side of the flare where the nut rides up against the tube. This will prevent galling of the threads, and will permit proper torque.
If the line you're using is a stainless line with single flares on it, you should use a flare gasket. If it's a standard steel line with double flares, it should seal up using a combination of Alan's technique and the lubrication.
Lars
If the line you're using is a stainless line with single flares on it, you should use a flare gasket. If it's a standard steel line with double flares, it should seal up using a combination of Alan's technique and the lubrication.
Lars
Standard steel line with double flares. Alan's suggestion worked. The information about stainless lines is good to know.
Thanks
Pat
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,301
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Lars,
That is one of your rebuilds.
I've only driven the car very little since you did it in 2010, (2011 ?), but it hasn't needed to be touched!!!
Regards,
Alan
That is one of your rebuilds.
I've only driven the car very little since you did it in 2010, (2011 ?), but it hasn't needed to be touched!!!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 7, 2017 at 02:17 PM.