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Now that I have the fuel system squared away, I would like to un-do what the PO has done. In this case it is the metal fuel line that runs from the pump to the carb. Right now that is all rubber line and I would like to replace with metal. In order to do that I would like to see how Ford got from A to B(pump to carb) and copy that if it makes sense. Going up and over the valve cover or around the front; around the #2 spark plug/wire; missing the oil fill cap; and finally to the carb.
If someone has pics of this line for my reference, I would appreciate the help.
Here is a teaser as I forgot I had this when I first got the truck and started to take it apart for the cab off frame rebuild.
On top of the valve cover or just to the far side of it I have a plastic see thru fuel filter. It was there when I bought the truck and was not going to make up a new line just because of it.
I will take pictures when I get up the rest of the way today.
Dave ----
Last edited by FuzzFace2; May 18, 2026 at 04:54 AM.
Well clearly we have two different valve covers. Yours pictured here is more detailed than what I have. It's dropped down in the middle to clear your air cleaner? Mine is simpler, just straight across with two holes in front and back for the PVC and oil fill. Assume my valve cover is not an '81 cover? Wonders never cease with this trophy I have, geez.
I would run it around the front of the valve cover like the illustration shows. Looks easy enough and nice not to have to take the fuel line loose to take the valve cover off. You are running new, so you have a choice of how you want to run it. I would definitely use the copper/nickel line.
I would run it around the front of the valve cover like the illustration shows. Looks easy enough and nice not to have to take the fuel line loose to take the valve cover off.
Yup, I agree. A little tight with the thermostat neck and leaving room to access VC bolt, but I like that better.
No my valve cover is flat front to rear on the top and other than the oil fill cap it also has the 2 holes, PCV & breather.
As for over like mine or in front like DaveF said being you are making it I think I would also run it in front so you dont have to mess with it if you have to pull the valve cover.
Dave ----
Well clearly we have two different valve covers. Yours pictured here is more detailed than what I have. It's dropped down in the middle to clear your air cleaner? Mine is simpler, just straight across with two holes in front and back for the PVC and oil fill. Assume my valve cover is not an '81 cover? Wonders never cease with this trophy I have, geez.
Thank you.
My 81 has the same cover as yours. I have a little tab behind the fill cap that the line runs through. Not a good picture, and its been fondled a few times, but mine pretty much runs straight up, bends over the valve cover and fits in the little tab, then over to the carb. I also have a different filter on it so its been tweaked a bit, but thats the jist of it. Looking through my pictures I have a ton of carb side ones, but like no dist side..
After looking at the pictures and reading DaveF about running the line in front of the valve cover I wonder if the way mine is shown is because the truck has AC?
It would be harder to run the line between the compressor and the cover around to the other side and to the carb.
Dave ----
edit: now that I think of it the motor in the truck is a replacement from what I found and the truck did not have factory AC as I added it.
But the replacement motor may have had AC on it and why the fuel line is the way it is?
Either way I cant see them running the line around the front with AC.
BTW, you may notice the beast is out on the sun which means it's out of the shop, which means it has the rear end back in it! AND it doesn't leak (there's no fluid in it yet, so.. The 1 gal of gas was just enough for about a 20 minute idle session and then pull out of the shop, around the yard and parked where it ran out.
Because of the AC and how often you pull the valve cover I would run it over the top like mine is.
I would say mine is factory as who would bend the steel line like it is to reach the carb?
Even if using the softer copper / nickel line over the top.
BTW the truck has been on the road little over 6 years and the only time I have had the valve cover off was when I put a new gasket on it and the motor was not even in the truck as I was rebuilding the truck and new gaskets was part of the plan.
I never notices how the line was bent to clear the #2 plug then over the top till now, pretty neat I think
Dave ----
The 1 gal of gas was just enough for about a 20 minute idle session and then pull out of the shop, around the yard and parked where it ran out.
