I don't know the reason for the fuel return line which connects to the filter, but it seems to me to be asking for trouble with all the hose connections and O-rings in the return system.

I am getting air in the filter after the truck has been standing. I have replaced some O-rings, but since this is winter in Canada and I'm working outside, I am not too keen to do a complete return line overhaul if it can be avoided at this time of year.

Is the connection to the filter necessary or can it be removed?

 

That line is actually an air bleed for the filter housing, but I have seen many that were disconnected.

 

I disconnected my line to the housing when I replaced my pump and injectors. Everything is working fine.

 

i've heard someone say they have had theirs off for 40k miles and still doing fine. kind of an elimination of air intrusion

 

mine always has fuel in it so...........

 

removing that line from the front injector to the filter head was a TSB Ford issued back in 1990 to help eliminating air intrusion.
mine has been gone since June 1990, and i have put over 400,000 miles on the truck since then with no problems.

 

wow.. good to know

 

Thanks for all the replies, I will be disconnecting mine today!

PS what does TSB stand for? I guess it means a modification notice or something?

 

Technical Service Bulletin.
one or 2 steps below a recall notice.
it is one of those "we recommend you do it, but the world will not end if it is not done" kind of things.

back when these trucks were new, this was the recommended modification to eliminate air intrusion.
then around 93 or 94 we realized that the o-rings needed to be changed every once in a while to prevent air intrusion.

 

More like "we should've done it this way in the first place, but here's a way to make you pay for it; and since it won't cause you to go careening out of control into a busload of schoolkids, and the NTSB is not going to bang on our door over it, we're not going to make it a recall".

Hmm, I'm trying to picture whether that line is even there on our crate engine; IIRC, it's not.

 

So I just plug the line at the injector top going to the filter and plug the filter? I've had leaking problems also at that line?

 

I'm wondering about the connection from the return line to the top of the injection pump now, is that also a failed air bleed idea which can also be removed? - even with the filter full of fuel, the engine doesn't start instantly as some members describe, it takes a few seconds of cranking, so I'm wondering is air is entering there?

 

what did you use to plug nipple at the injector. also pics would be nice.

 

Pics would be great looking to do that to mine lol

 

yeah, more description would be good for this old guy also