So after spending a few hours and a few failed attempts at bending a perfect (to me...) fuel line, I install the flare on the fuel pump end and lock in the standard flare nut. I thread the new line in and go to tighten up the tube nuts on the ends: the carburetor end tube nut threads in and bottoms out on the flare with a few threads of the nut to go - the line is nice and solid. But at the fuel pump end, the tube nut itself threads all the way in and the line is still loose in the fuel pump and can be pushed further in by over a 1/8". Said differently, the threaded hole in the fuel pump is much deeper than the tube nut and the flare of the line will not seal at the bottom of the hole.
The pump is an aftermarket Carter pump. The port in question is the top one:


As you can see, there is a smooth portion below the threads, that tells me that there is either another type of fitting that I should be using, or a different type of flare should have been made by me. I have done an intensive search and I don't think there is a longer tube nut fitting that will make it to the bottom of that port. Kicker is, the flare that I made is the same type of flare that originally came with the truck and fit in the original fuel pump.
Please give me a direction to go in, because this is frustrating. This engine reassembly should have been fun, but instead it's turning out to be a bit of a nightmare...Also please see my post regarding carburetor linkage...!

Geoff

 

That's pipe threads. You need an adaptor from pipe to flair. Something like this

 

Fuel Pump Inlet Size:
1/4 in. NPT

 

Christmas and PCM...
For the slow people in the room...

So I need a 5/16" to 1/4" NPT adapter...or...?

Thanks for responding!

Geoff

 

I have always seen a short rubber hose from the tank side metal line to the pump. So most times there is a NPT to hose Barb adapter on the pump. From the pump to the carb you can use a 1/4” NPT to flare adapter but the fitting size will be different.

 

!/4 NPT to 5/16" flair ACE hardware has them.

 

Geoff,

Just to restate.

Fuel Pump Inlet/Outlet is 1/4”NPT.
Your fuel line is 5/16”.
The adapter will go from 1/4” NPT to 1/2”-20 or 5/8” flare (has the little center flare)
Then you will use a flare nut for a 5/16” line that matches the 1/2”-20 or 5/8” thread of the adapter.

There isn’t a 1/4”NPT to 5/16” because the second number is the nut thread and the line would be smaller. If you already crimped on the nut, then try and find that size. Most times it’s tough because you used a 3/8” nut.

good luck.

 

Stand corrected.

 

Christmas,

Didn’t intend to correct you at all. Just didn’t want Geoff at Ace looking for an impossible fitting. I think you said it correctly but just wanted to be sure…

 

Gents,

The slow people in the room () appreciate and thank you both! I now have direction and hope will spring eternal tomorrow.

Geoff

 

40+ yrs with same wife and house that's standard procedure.