Y2K -Thanks for taking the time to document this great write up & reminder.

 

I can't speak to how Adel clamps last inside of an airplane, but down here on earth, they do not last very long in engine compartments or exposed outdoors under the frames of cars and trucks. Here's one beginning to fail after only a year and a half in service...





There is no abuse applied to this clamp... all it has to do is sit there and hold on to whatever is inside of it. But the santoprene rubber breaks down, cracks, and crumbles away.







I have a pile of carnage of short lived, failed protective clamps that no longer protect from abrasion, since the protective part crumbled away. You can tell by how bright and shiny the metal is that these clamps were not old, and not in service very long...





It's a PITA to go through the work of dressing and installing a wiring harness, supporting and protecting it, only to have to revisit the harness again within a couple of years to make sure the metal edges of the Adel clamps aren't rubbing through the wire insulation or fluid hose due to the rubber of the Adel clamp breaking down and falling away.


I have a fair amount of mostly disappointing experience installing (and reinstalling) these things... for years I stocked three full red StackOn trays of them, in varying sizes. Here's one of my trays...







I've noticed that the older Adel clamps have lasted longer than the ones that are readily available today... and by older I mean clamps from 40+ years ago, of which I have only a couple remaining, which I guardedly save, so that the art of making an Adel clamp isn't lost forever beyond this generation of China and cheap. In the photo below, you can see the difference, with the older, original, authentic Adel clamps on the top, and the newer ones commonly available today on the bottom...





We don't see Adel clamps used in vehicles. The kind of clamp we do see, and that International/Ford used for the fuel line in this case, is made of different stuff. I pulled one of each type of clamp out of the tray and positioned them side by side so the difference can be seen... with the Adel clamp on the top, and the type of clamp used on trucks and tractors on the bottom...





The clamp on the bottom has the type of abrasion insulation I recommend for the fuel line on top of the engine, and it matches the type of insulation that the OEM clamp came with.


I'm unqualified to dispute JetDoc's experience in aviation, but I have not had success in getting Adel clamps to survive under the hoods or frames of vehicles, despite a sizeable investment in the attempt. I strongly recommend using the type of clamp the factory uses, only with a wider diameter to accommodate another insulator, and a longer reach tab than what is typically sold in parts stores.

 

I removed this bracket years ago, it serves no useful purpose to the owner/operator .

 

Another "quality " write-up, reps sent.

 

Right or wrong,I just left the clamp off when installing the new fuel line,looks vibration free.

 

I recently found mine seeping just a bit at the clamp while I was replacing intercooler boots. I was thankful to have found it then instead of it spraying suddenly on our road trip! It's a bugger to get out of there.

 

W2KW57 pointed that out to me a few years back when I had to fix my loose UVCH and it was easy to get to. I think I beat the @#$% out of my clamp to fit over the hose I used and still fit onto the bolt.

Ill have to double check my work to make sure it is still holding strong.

Tim M

 

Was driving home on I-80 the other day when I noticed a huge cloud of smoke behind me, so pulled off at a safe place, with fuel pouring off the back of the engine. Long story bearable, I had the truck towed home, and sure enough I saw diesel down in the engine valley. I had a local shop replace the fuel bowl drain 3 or 4 years ago so presumed it was the same problem. Bought a new one, replaced the old one, and started the engine...fuel still spraying everywhere at the back of the engine on the passenger side. After some searching the forum I found this thread...thanks!!!

The OP must be a genie if he replaced the return line without removing the up-pipe from the intercooler. I'm in my mid-60s, fat, and not that flexible, so am thinking it's better to remove it for better access. Thoughts?

You guys that replaced the line without a new clamp...how's that working for you? I like the idea of using fuel hose to protect the line, but don't have any clamps. I could try making something from thin strapping.

What is the hard line part number so I can order a replacement?

Thanks again! Stan

 

I don't have the part number but RiffRaff has them listed as passenger fuel line.

 

Here ya go

OK why are images no longer attaching??? part number on the one for my 02 is F81Z-9B273-BN

 

Here is the part he mentioned

Passenger Side Fuel Line 99-03 (F81Z9B273BN)

 

I eventually decided to address this fuel line issue, but in a completely lazy way. I pulled up on the existing bracket to give it some preload. I figured if the bracket is actually supporting the line firmly it will not vibrate and cause wear. Mine was worn on top, so pulling up instead of pushing down made sense.

If y'all see fires in CA on the news ya know it prolly didn't work.

 

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the part #. Now to replace the line...I see in this the guy says I needs to remove the turbo down pipe to replace the passenger side fuel line. Is that correct? None of the posts I've read suggest that, but thought I'd ask. TIA, Stan

 

A member's recent fuel line rupture (albeit on an OBS, with flexible fuel lines, not hard lines like the 99-03) reminded me of this write up, which caused me to see @pirate4x4_camo unanswered question.

I'd like to answer this question by recommending to NOT purchase another OEM clamp, and instead either use a larger clamp with a rubber protection sleeve, or not use any clamp at all.

I've updated the original post and thread title to also include the driver's side hard fuel line clamp replacement behind the top alternator, and to further illustrate the difference between an OEM clamp and a superior aftermarket clamp.

I also added four new photos at the end of the original post detailing the differences on the driver's side.