I ordered an Edelbrock 1411 carb and a Performer manifold for my truck, 85' F350 460, the truck in my signature. How do you guys like to adapt the factory fuel line to an aftermarket carb?

The factory fuel line is metal, currently comes in to the front driver side of the carb. The Edelbrock fuel fitting is on the passenger side, towards the rear of the carb.

I know I can cut the factory hard line and splice in a rubber line. Wondering if anybody has any better ideas, maybe keeping with all hard line? Edelbrock offers a coupe of options Performance Carburetors and Accessories - Fuel Inlet and Filter Accessories - Edelbrock, LLC. there will still be some rubber line involved though.

 

You could always get some metal tube and fab a whole new line. I'm leaning toward the spliced line.

 

A spliced line would be the easy way out. I'm not sure if I want to invest in a bender and a flaring tool to make a hard line, but that is a good idea as I'm not sure if I like the idea of a rubber line on top of the engine.

Another question; here is a shot of what I assume is the fuel filter? Why two inlet lines?

 

Is one a return?

 

That would make sense. I did not realize carbed engines had return lines?

 

IIRC some 460s have return lines, the Hot Fuel Handling package is designed to prevent vapor locks.

BTW I have no idea what engine you're talking about as I don't display sigs or avatars by default.

 

The truck does have electric pumps in the tanks, I can hear them. I will trace the line back when I install the carb this weekend.

 

It looks like it might be a feedback system I keep hearing about. That would explain both the pumps and the return line.

 

That is the hot fuel system that has a return line. You can come off the carb side of that with a rubber hose and run that to the carb inlet. However, I had to buy an angled inlet adapter to get my factory air cleaner to sit down correctly.

Also, you need to check fuel pressure. Edelbrocks are great carbs, but they don't like more than about 6 psi of fuel pressure and you may have more with the electric pumps. If so install a fuel pressure regulator to drop it down to 5.5 psi.

 

Is the "hot fuel system" something I want to keep in service or should I plan on reworking it with no return?

 

The feedback system (on the I-6 and 302 only in this era) has a solenoid the carb with wires that eventually connect to the computer.

 

My opinion is that Ford implemented that system because of vapor lock troubles, so why get rid of a cure to a known problem?

 

Just asking. If it works I have no issue keeping it. So far, I have not had what I feel are fuel delivery problems. The truck ran okay on it's maiden voyage to my house at 9000' from Denver. Somewhat gutless but I think that can be attributed to an internally leaking carb and lots of vacuum leaks. Or at least I hope so I'm looking forward to installing my new carb.

 

It is a 460

 

I would keep the hot fuel system. It isn't broken, so don't fix it.