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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: SUX2BU99 on April 03, 2009, 10:26:39 am
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I bought all the bits and pieces to upgrade my fuel line from the carb to the fuel pump. I decided to go all out and buy AN fittings, braided stainless hose and a hard line kit with fuel filter by Edelbrock to put on at my Edelbrock carb. Cost me $115 but might as well do it right the first time, eh? Those AN fittings aren't cheap! It'll look nice though :D
Anyway, I was wondering about when threading on the aluminum AN fittings, what I should use on the threads. Guy at the performance shop said to just use engine oil. I also have some thread sealer/lube when I did my brakes. Should I use that? Do I need to use teflon tape at any point? Guy said no. I'll take some pics and put 'em up.
Thanks!
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Sux, Nothing is needed on the 37* fittings, the taper seat is the seal, not the threads. A drop or Two of oil on the threads will make them turn a little smoother & helps when you need to take it apart. Make sure you run a 1/2 gal. or so of fuel out before you hook it up to the carb to get any little specs of rubber, ect. out of the lines. Lorne
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I put a little oil on the inside peice and the hose to help them go together. The ones I use are steel, but even they like to strip or gauld the threads without lube. I also sue the inside peice to stretch the hose out a little before I put the outside peice on. Use caution. It should start fairly easy, and should just tighten enough to bottom out. They can be broken. If it diesnt start easy, look inside the hose and make sure it isnt folded over internally. This will produce what we call a "rubber check valve" in the hose and causes all kinds of problems if not caught.
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Thanks guys. Sounds like a good plan. I hope the guy chopped the hose to the right length so I don't have to shorten it. If I do, I read that a 32 tooth/inch hacksaw can be used. That's some might fine teeth. I have an 18 tooth in my hacksaw now and the teeth are really small. Any suggestions?
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I have had the best time with a wiz-wheel. Wrap the hose with a wrap or Two of tape & cut in the middle. I have heard of guys laying it down on an anvil & "chopping" it with a sharp chisel, but I've never tried it. The hacksaw would leave some loose wires I would think. Lorne
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I chop it off with a die grinder and a cutoff wheel like Haulinit said, then I round the end off a little on the bench grinder. I dont know if Im using the same stuff you guys use,the hose I use (strato flex) had a cloth outer jacket, steel braided inner , and rubber hose. Its rated for 300 PSI.
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Thanks. I have an air cut-off wheel if need be. Oh, what about the adapter at the fuel pump? I for sure don't need pipe tape on the side that threads into the fuel pump? Are those tapered threads too?
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Sux, without seeing the fuel pump...it's only a guess. Most are 1/4" or 3/8" pipe thread, so yes, it's tapered in that case. Lorne
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Thanks Lorne. It's a factory-style mech pump and I have a 3/8" to AN-6 adapter for it. I won't put any tape on it then.
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I was wrong about that. It's 5/16".
So trying to piece this stuff together was a lesson in frustration and futility. I could NOT get that stupid braided hose into the end of the AN fitting. I phoned the performance parts store and told them that I wasn't getting anywhere but mad and they said "Oh, why didn't you just buy the PRE-MADE kit?" WHAT?? Well now I'm choked since another guy there sold me all these bits and pieces which ends up costing $20 MORE than the pre-made kit and is much harder to deal with IMO. So I'm returning it all and getting the kit. Man.......shoulda known I should have just talked to the guy I usually deal with originally (he told me of the kit) instead of some other guy. >:(
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I exchanged the parts yesterday. MUCH simpler, easier and cheaper. The pre-made hose is made to fit the hard line kit at the carb and everything. The hose kit though came with a 90 degree elbow that fits a 3/8" port, not a 5/16" inv. flare that the stock GM pump has. So I had to buy 1 elbow to replace that. I'll take pics of it all though. The upgrade will still end up costing about $100 but it'll be really nice when done and simple to perform (it better be!) lol.
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Well I got it in and all done. Pretty easy when you don't have to wrestle getting the hose onto the AN fittings. Looks purty too. I'll put up some pics soon.
I also changed my accel pump setting on my carb. It was on the middle hole and I moved it to the top, to increase the stroke on it. I felt I wasn't getting enough of a squirt when I stomped on the throttle. I hope I chose the right hole lol
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So here are the pics if anyone cares to see them. It was an easy upgrade and looks pretty nice I think. I did a write-up and more pics here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3001366/5
(http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2006/2321/30013660138_medium.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2006/2321/30013660137_medium.jpg)
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Looks really nice, good job.
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It does look really good. Well done.
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Clean install!! It makes a big difference!
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If we want to see pics, that is funny. I have been waiting for pics!
Nice job.
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Good job! It beats the heck out of a rubber line. I tried to install the same set of lines but didn't like the sharp turn at the alternator or that it would have to contact the alternator. So I ended up mounting the filter near the pump and running a longer line I made over the front corner of the valvecover to a 45 fitting at the carb. But your installation seems to have worked out much better than my attempt, for some reason. I remember the bend at the alternator was much tighter for me.
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Thanks for the comments guy. I have to redo my heater hoses though. It bugs me how they drape over the valve cover like that. I really want to clean up my engine bay as I LOVE a clean, uncluttered engine. I'm also going to get some nice plug wire looms to straighten them out but I think the wires I have on there might be too long for that. They sorta seem like a toss between a universal kit and a SBC kit. And, I gotta get a flat-base air cleaner pan. The dropped base requires me to use two spacers which is kinda silly.
I'm going to keep an eye on that hose where it touches the alternator for any chaffing. It's double-layer braided stainless and then rubber beneath so rub-through would be a pretty small concern but you never know.
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Great job it looks great! It really cleans things up.