Well.. I've had enough. Thought I had the darn thing flushed out finally. Pulled out on the hiway running good, so I decided to take it for a short spin. Made it about 2 miles and it clogged up the 1st filter in the series. I limped it back to the shop and pulled the tank! Estimates for a new tank started around $800! I did a whole lot of searching, and found a 120 gallon saddle tank on ebay off an old Freightliner which I won for $45 + shipping. I'll lose 30 gallons of capacity, but the 120 will fit right up in the hole without a bunch of mods. HOPEFULLY, this will be the end of the fuel problems! I've got about 35ft of fuel line (all running thru the center frame tunnel) would be a HUGE deal to pull the lines. Any suggestions on how to flush them without a big replacement project???
77, I think you're right about the pick up tube screen. I tried to get the pick up tube out while it was still in the bus, but couldnt even budge it with a big-ass pipe wrench. Completely rusted/fused, and I only had a hole about the size of my foot to work thru while it was in. Anyway, hopefully with a couple of tweaks I'm back in business. Will keep you guys posted.
Much appreciated,
Mike
I forgot to say that when it crapped out the last time I started from the motor and started breaking connections and checking actual fuel flow. When I got to the fuel pump out side it was still just a trickle, so I'm pretty sure theres a problem at the pick up, but I'm still not certain if the lines are packed full of rust.
Dave, really good idea to ream out the lines. Lord knows how many years the damn thing has been moving the fuel tank back to the motor piece by piece haha.
Mike
I HAD THIS PROBLEM ON MY 79 F350 WITH A 460, IT WOULD RUN GOOD THAN SPUTTER.IT WAS FROM RUST CLOGGING UP MY FILTERS,SO I REPLACED THE TANK, BLEW OUT THE OLD LINES ,FILL HER UP AND TOOK A DRIVE IT DID GREAT TILL I NOTICED IT WAS SLIGHTLY BACKFIRING OUT OF THE CARB. AFTER REALIZING MY POWER VALVE WAS BLOWN I NOTED SMALL BLACK SLICES IN MY FILTER, TURNS OUT IT WAS THE RUBBER FUEL LINE DECAYING. I WOULD REPLACE THE OLD RUBBER FUEL LINE IF UR ALREADY GOING THREW THE HASSLE OF REPLACING A TANK,IT WONT HURT U JUST SAVES PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.GOOD LUCK
Okay, heres a question, when I replace the fuel line, what would be the best option? I'm not sure if I should use steel, stainless steel, aluminum, braided stainless, or rubber. I would prefer of course that it was one continuous piece (less chance of leaks) but so far I have only found 25' lengths of everything but the reinforced rubber which is probably the cheapest, but I would rather not have to do this ever again so I'm more interested in what would last longest than what is least expensive.
when i did my truck i used steel,i left 2 small splices where the rubber hose is used to connect these spots,i made it so i can put an electric fuel pump and an extra fuel tank,it doesn't leak though.the tubing i used was 3/8's and came in a 25ft roll from summit racing for 30 bucks.using steel is harder to shape than aluminum but its easy to tack in to the frame.its also stronger and less maintenance than 25ft of rubber hose,thats why i pulled mine out and tacked in steel line.
How about copper tubing? It has less vibration resistance than steel but won't corrode significantly and is easy to work with. It should be available in fifty foot rolls, try a plumbing supply place or refrigeration supply house. The stock fuel pump should work fine, and it has the advantage of not pressurizing the fuel line- in case of damage or a bad connection, air gets sucked in, rather than fuel spraying out.
Copper will work harden from the vibration and ultimately crack at a fitting. I had an Oldsmobile Jetfire and the stock line from the stock pump to the fuel filter had been replaced with copper, I had to replace it periodically due to fatigue cracking at the inverted flare fittings. As long as you can get the ends double flared, steel is your best bet.
__________________
Bill Vose (Old School Hot Rodder)
1985 LeBaron convertible 2.2L TurboII
1986 F350 crew cab DRW 460ci
1986 LeBaron convertible 2.2L TBI (dead)
1986 Turismo 2.2 (race car)
1989 LeBaron J body convertible
1989 LeBaron J body coupe
1993 Grand Caravan 3.3L
1995 Lincoln Continental (project car) http://www.oldschoolhotrodder.com
Lebaron,
You are right about the copper failing, but it depends a lot on how well it is secured and the amount of mileage put on the vehicle. I assume a vehicle of this vintage will not see tens of thousands of miles.
Up to the 30s and 40s it was common to see copper tubing on vehicles.
Perhaps a bit of phoning around could turn up a supplier who can provide a 50 foot length of steel fuel line.
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