Hello, What is this fuel system component called shown in the pictures? It's on my Ford 460 RV engine. I assume it is a return valve for excess fuel to be diverted back to the fuel tank... is this correct? I was hoping for a little information on how it works, such as what pressure it opens up, how it senses that pressure, etc. I am asking because while I was working on my fuel system I switched my fuel pumps on manually to observe the fuel delivery to my sightglass fuel filter next to my carburetor, and I noticed that there didn't seem to be any flow until I started the engine... Is this because the carburetor float needle is capable of holding back pressurized fuel until the engine is started and it allows delivery? Was the fuel being diverted back to the tank through this 3-way valve thing or were my pumps deadheading? Sorry for the dumb questions and thanks for your help in advance...

 

Vapor separator.
No it is not.
Yes
Pumps deadheading but some fuel went back to the tanks to keep the engine from vapor locking.



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Just thought I would give an update, i rewired the starter, correctly this time, and the engine starter solenoid works perfect now, not catching or sticking like it was before.

I tried to get the fuel lines primes and was checking for leaks and flow,, couldnt get the truck to start it looked like there was some fuel coming back to the tank via return, i could just see some fuel ripples inside the tank.

Turns out my lame new battery went bad so need to replace it under the warranty. But don't know why i didn't do this first, (I got alttle excited about getting the truck runnimg) but when i take the blue wire off the Ignition post from the solenoid and put it to the pos bat terminal i can hear the fuel pumps operating and was able to fill the float bowls with fuel, too bad i didn't have a working battery to try and run the truck.

I never heard the fuel pumps turn on like they did when i gave it direct power before, but it was gettimg some fuel because fuel qas leaking prior from the missing carrberator transfer line. Maybe it was a bad battery to begin with, and it wasn't getting enough amperage from the bad bat to run the pumps? I'm not sure. That bat has good voltage and will take a charge, until about 12.1 volts, but it has bad continuity between cells so I'm just going to replace it.

Either that or possible a bad fuel pump relay. I think it's located right on the right side of the engine bay, but might as well test the relay since it's right there anyways.

 

Howdy all!
First post on the forum. Yepper, that was a feeble attempt to fix the vapor lock problem (I never had the problem) and they come in different sizes, so if your going to keep it, make sure you order the right size orifice when it goes bad from getting clogged up. It can drive you nuts. Get rid of it with pipe cutter, throw a couple of hoses and clamps onto a Tee for free flow and return,just run a Mr. Gasket pressure regulator (like $40.00 bucks) inline for safety to the fuel inlet and call it a day.

Personally, I've never seen or had the vapor-lock or percolation problem, but I ran a 160 degree stat. I eventually completely eliminated egr system on my 86 25 footer. That was the transition year for the "L" family 460 from engine to egr nightmare, so busy in there it was almost impossible to work on the engine.

Agreed on the "not a proper setup"