Gen 1 fuel line replacement / length?

[bluecab]

Have any of you replaced the fuel line in the frame?
How long is it?
Fuel line generally comes in 25' spools - Do I need more than one?
I like to use the old line to pull the new line thru, so I have not been able to measure it..
Gates has a new fuel line that is resistant to alcohol-blended fuel that I'll be using.

[1970w34]

I have a stripped chassis in my garage. I can probably give you a good idea by comparing that with one of my "together" cars--at least get you in the ballpark. I don't think you'd need much more than 20 feet total. Give me a couple days and I can shoot you an estimate.

Carmen

[Doc Hubler]

If your car has AC, it may have the return fuel line as well. Smaller diameter, but same length. I think the non-AC cars just had the single line.

[bluecab]

Yes it has A/C but why does that require a return line?
I do see two lines in the frame, not sure what the sizes are.

[69W34]

The in bound from the tank is 5/16 I believe the return is 1/4, I'm sure I'll be flogged and hug by the yard if i get this wrong .... it has to do with keeping the fuel cool in traffic or at time when fuel consumption is low, with out the return your running a head pressure from the pump carb which is good as higher pressure the higher the boiling point. The down side your also running a suction pressure from the tank to the pump which is just the reverse low pressure /boiling point which under the right circumstances you can vapor lock the pump. The return line moves the fuel back and forth and the fuel volume in the tank is also cooler moving but the carb is always supplied, with some what cooler fuel
Years ago this was combated with a little item call a cool can, which was nothing more that a large can with coil's in it with water and ice, the down side of course one needed to keep a supply of ice or better yet (some of us {no names} would use dry ice) but of course no water.

[Doc Hubler]

Bill,

We'll get flogged together! I thought that a return line was considered important also because of the Quadrajet has a low capacity fuel bowl, and sitting where it does the fuel tends to warm quickly. This was a way to keep the fuel from causing the problems you've suggested, and also from causing flooding when the engine is warm and has been shut off for a while. For some reason, the cars without AC didn't have the return line I think, but I also believe most Toros did have AC. Not sure why you wouldn't use the return line regardless. Many GM cars of this era used a return fuel line. Don't know about other manufacturers.

[bluecab]

Do both lines connect to the fuel pump?

[1970w34]

Hey guys, I can fill you in on what was proper for 1970 so maybe it will apply.

First, the hose sizes are 3/8 (silver clamp) for the feed and 1/4 (red clamp) for the return--they both go to the fuel pump and the gas tank--the feed to the fuel sender and the return to a stub inlet on the tank.

As to the length needed, I haven't yet gotten mine back together but as an estimate I think around 16 feet of each should do. This is divided of course as the hoses clamp to the exposed pipes, front and back, along the frame rail.

There is also a "California" mandate which has some added measure of hose but most of that concern is a non-issue as that configuration it is mostly a steel pipe along the inside of the other side of the frame with small lengths of hose to attach the various "extras".

Hope this helps.

Carmen

[waterzap]

What a big pain to pull those lines through. In the end I used pieces of wire, libricated the fuel lines and a lot of bad words.

[bluecab]

Because the passenger side of my car is pushed up tight to the post of a lift. I never looked on that side to see that there are hard lines that run along the frame rail.
I thought the rubber gas lines went through the frame front to back..
I'll need much less hose than I thought.