I decided to replace the fuel pump on my 69 427 and figured I would install new lines and filter up to the carb. My mistake...
Evert fitting leaks. Not a drip. It spews out. I bought a line set from forum vendor Corvette Central and it is pretty well garbage. The small return line has flat crimps in each end that make it unusable to connect to the flexable line and the fuel lines will not seat. If I crank these things down further I am going to destroy my carb and fuel pump fittings.
The 69 setup is a rats nest in the first place but this is crazy. It should work....
Any ideas besides a 70 direct line?

 

Based in my experience with after market parts now a days, I'm not sure the 70 single line will be of better quality. I believe if you retain the return line set up you will less likely have issues with vapor lock.

 

Were the old lines leaking? You could put those back on during the interim.

 

Would you consider getting a flare tool and a bender to make your own?

 

Sounds like you got the stainless lines, correct?

Ed

 

I got mine from Dr Rebuild. No leaks; they work just fine. Hardest part is tightening the bottom line to fuel pump.

 

The old lines were good but were cut to install a Fram filter with hose ends and clamps instead of the corect "bolt in" filter. The Fram had the correct return line but is done with hose clamps so the ends of the lines were cut off years ago. I was trying to return it to original with the AC filter but have never had a problem like this with fuel lines.
The pic below shows the return line, new and old which clearly don't work so I used the old.

The next pic shows the new lines and filter bought from Corvette Central. They leak so bad from every fitting that it sprays out on the car...

I was just trying to keep it original instead of going with a 70 straight line but am not very happy with what I bought. I have been working on Corvettes for the last 40 years, still own 4 out of the 36 and thought I might have remembered something but this has me stumped.
The fuel lines except for the mismatched return pipe all bolt up but leak really bad. The bigest leak was at the top filter fitting and really cranking down on it fixed it but I can't do this on the pump or carb fitting. I am starting to lean towards really nice looking but really crappy made parts and if my wife is going to drive it, I should go with my gut, get rid of the garbage,and go with a straight fuel line and forget about saving it for the next guy....

 

Ah geeze... How did you know? They have end pieces on them but still are your basic garbage. Fuel lines should not be a problem like this....

 

I got a fuel line from one of the vendors- the fit and appearance was as poor as I've seen on anything. I ended up bending brake tube and using -AN fittings.
Could you flare the original line and put a correct inline filter where it's been cut?

 

Yeah, the stainless lines are notorious for leaks and generally being a PIA! I've used the standard steel line kits with no issues, so you may want to return those and get the standard ones instead.

Ed

 

Yes. I can go with some line which is probably what I should have done in the first place. I was just trying to keep it original with a $45. filter and $40 lines that were obviously made by someone that has never even heard the word Corvette. Just couldn't figure how the vendor here (Corvette Central) could sell garbage like this and not have somebody complain?
Look at the fuel return line pic and tell me how you get a clamp on that....

 

Thanks Ed. I ordered the lines out of the CC catalog.
The return lines won't even work as advertised (see pic) so I should have quit while ahead and reverted to garden hose right there... Ah well. I'm trying to do a bit of a frame on winter resto and the interior did go well. The motor has never been out of the car and most old big blocks are pretty easy to figure but, looking at original 69 fuel connections is not nice.

 

I ordered my 69 tri power fuel linesfrom Classic Tubing and did not have any problems,no leaks.They're made in America not China.

 

Agree with the above on the use of stainless tubing. It's hard as a rock and it can be very difficult to press into shape by tightening to specs. Over-tightening introduces another set of problems. Use a good quality 3/8" mild steel tubing instead.

Also, it sounds like you're mixing inverted flare with double-flare fittings. This combo will spew fuel as you describe.

 

I got my lines from cc ss for a 69 bb & a filter no leaks, bad filter call cc for a exc.

 

Dude, u are using the new push lock/quick connect tubing - not the original 45 degree flare fittings.

Your first pic shows a compression fitting on the left (old?) and a push lock/quick connect on the right. But i dont see that tubing in the second pix which has old 45* flare nuts on it.

The second pic shows the tubing connected to the filter so the fittings are hidden. Who knows what u have for fittings on those tubing's? Who knows what type of fitting that filer requires - all i can see is a beaded end on the return tube which is for a flex hose with a hose clamp.
For that tubing the filter fitting inside should have a small cone shape at the bottom of the threads for the tubing flare to seat on as the backing flare nut makes the flare "seat" on the cone like shape. I see some kind of fitting nut on the filter while other tubing end has the old standard 45* flare.

I can only guess from 3,000 miles away as u have to verify which type fitting the filter uses - if its original, most likely 45* flare. Some where that old tubing was using a compression fitting - but from your pix who knows where?

Dont know what u really have or are trying to use,
cardo0

 

Grant, the return line should be connected to the fuel filter with a bit of flex tubing and a clamp.

I also had a similar issue with my '69 tubing - I purchased stainless - from a different vendor, but most likely the same source. I had leaks at the filter. I sent it back and they sent me the TBW lines in an exchange. I had no problems with leaks using the TBW lines, but the fitment was pretty terrible. It took alot of gentle persuasion to get all the fittings to line up. But, once connected I had no leaks.

 

Yes, I agree. That return line was included in the bag with the SS primary line which does have the correct flares so the return line was not usable and I installed the old one in the pic with tubing and clamps on the new filter as it was stock. It was the only thing that didn't leak and I still cant figure why that return line was in the kit. I cranked down on the filter fittings and the leaks stopped there but am afraid I will strip out the carb and fuel pump fittings if I tighten them up anymore. It would cost me more to send this junk back than it's worth so I ordered a set of normal non stainless lines. I ordered the stainless by mistake in the first place but they should still have worked never mind the obviously wrong return line... A big block return line with that type of flare is not usable on anything so I wonder what the idiot that made it was thinking. Ah well....

 

I can't offer any advise on your return lines other than I have similar on my SBC and no problem with a locally manufactured return, factory (repro) clips and modern fuel hose. If you have enough length, you might cut the ends off and put a small flare in the ends - like the factory.

For the pressure lines from the pump>filter>carb! I would LUBE the lines and fittings, threads, etc. those flare fittings need to be as tight as you can get them. You can't tighten dry fittings as much as you can lubed fittings.
A light coating of grease on the tube and flare where the nut contacts it, as well on the threads might solve all your leaks. Worth a try

Lars doesn't like Teflon tape, but a small ampunt on the threads seems to work. Just don't overdo it if you use tape.


Pete

 

A little white grease will prevent galling. Anyways, that's what I use...
I just replaced a leaky fuel pump; the fittings had to be pulled pretty tight.