As a tangental follow up to this post: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...uel-leaks.html

I replaced the fuel bowl on my truck and after doing so discovered that my fuel return hoses were leaking. A quick search around found the below post, among others.

So that resolved the part number issue, but didn't answer my other ones.

1. I have read various accounts of how easy or hard these are to replace. Some just say to remove the Darth Vader cover and remove/replace them, others say you have to dismount the alternator and A/C compressor. Which is correct?
2. What size are the fittings on the hoses? I'd like to use the proper size flare nut wrenches to avoid damage.
3. Powerstrokeshop appears to be dead, what's the current best place to get these?
4. Is there an International counterpart part number, and is it still available?

 

I have great luck with Tousley Ford parts. They are fantastic on price.

 

Yeah, that looks like they have good pricing. I may try to see if some of my local dealers will price match tomorrow.

Any thoughts on the other questions?

 

Not likely on price matching.they won't care.trousley is out to kill everyone else I think.

 

Eh. It's been hit or miss on that. One local dealership says they will match any internet Ford dealer's parts prices, so I might give that a go.

Kind of surprised that I've not gotten any replies on the coupler size, International part numbers or just generally replacing the things.

 

No go for me. But it is even hard to get them to find me the right parts. Tousley is giving a sweetheart of a deal so you can afford to pay a bit on shipping. I've had nothing but positive business with Tousley, on the occasion that I pay a little more with them(over aftermarket) it is well worth it.

 

This is the first I have heard of them leaking, but that doesn't mean much lol.

 

Ordered from Tousley Ford. Still hoping for input on the other points...

 

Got my hoses in - didn't know that Ford was having Aeroquip make the new ones, but both of them were clearly of Aeroquip manufacture and had labels/tags that indicated such.

 

Did you get the IH # part?
I have read that the hose of the pass side needs to remove the AC, IDK.

 

Never did get the IH part number.

Can you link me to where you read that? I can't seem to find anything definitive about what does or does not need to be taken off. Do you happen to recall if it is "dismount and move aside" or if it is "discharge and remove entirely?"

 

Sorry, I dont remember where I read that, but I remember that you just dismount and move aside without discharge or remove entirely.

 

I recently did my return line from driver side head. You'd have to be a magician to do it without budging the bracket towards the radiator. I did NOT need to remove the compressor from the bracket, though. I guess it's theoretically possible to do it without removing anything, but it would be darn near impossible to get it threaded up.

 

What's the best way to accomplish moving that bracket, then?

 

Remove the serpentine belt, remove the manifold from the back of the compressor, remove the electric lines going to the compressor. Remove the bolts holding the bracket on, perhaps only loosen the bottom-most one. Now, lean the assembly toward the radiator. This should allow access to the line.

Keep in mind that I don't have a fan or fan shroud on my truck. That made this procedure quite a bit easier. Also, don't attempt to remove the compressor if you typically have corrosion issues with your truck. That turned mine into a giant clustermess.