Installation of the Fuel Line

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BLB27
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Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by BLB27 » Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:19 pm

I installed the fuel line as shown in the attached photo. After the install, it occurred to me that I maybe should have used a longer line and put more "bends" in it so that there is more "give" to accommodate engine vibrations. What do you think?
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TXGOAT2
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by TXGOAT2 » Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:24 pm

I believe what you have there is close to what the factory installed.


Norman Kling
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by Norman Kling » Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:45 pm

Here's the way I did mine. Looks like the pictures I have seen. You are not as likely to get a vapor lock with the high tank, but with the under seat tank, it is important to have the lowest point between the two ends which go up from that point so that any vapor bubbles will rise either back to the tank or to the carburetor. If you get a bubble in the middle, it can compress so the fuel does not move past that point causing vapor lock. That dark area on the manifold is the shadow of the sediment bulb.
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Scott_Conger
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by Scott_Conger » Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:48 pm

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Topic author
BLB27
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by BLB27 » Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:51 am

Is there any concern that the my install would not provide enough "flexibility" to handle any engine "vibrations"?


Norman Kling
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by Norman Kling » Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:59 am

I suppose it could be possible. If it does, it could move the elbow on the carburetor up and down depending on how tight it is. You must not tighten the elbow too much or it could crack the carburetor casting. The line is inexpensive and easy to reach so it might be a good idea to replace it with a longer one with more bends in it.
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by TXGOAT2 » Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:01 am

I would make up a fuel line that closely matched the one in the Ford manual picture. Yours as shown may not resist vibration and normal flexing as well as it should. You do not want to make a line any longer than necessary, and you do not want any loops in it. The Ford design is the correct one. Use the correct materials and fitting types. My car has an incorrect glass bowl filter on it, and the outlet on it is in a different location than on the original style bowl. The fuel line on my car is steel, and it is similar to the one in the Ford manual picture, except it is upside down.


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:52 am

I would go with the "inverted question mark" style in the factory photo.

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Oldav8tor
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Re: Installation of the Fuel Line

Post by Oldav8tor » Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:54 am

I'd go with what Scott recommends - follow what Ford did. Also, to second Pat, I'd definitely go with steel line. I have an under-seat tank but discovered this when my copper-nickel brake line (gas line) started leaking at the carb shut-off valve. Vibration did this to the ends. Left one was in the sediment bowl, right one in the carb.
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