Author Topic: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)  (Read 3651 times)

b3nny

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Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« on: July 19, 2023, 12:23:40 PM »
Hi all,

I want to upgrade my fuel lines from the hardlines (supply) to the fuel pump. Right now as you can see in the pics is rubber line dangling below the cross member which i think is high time i changed it to make it safer and reliable. Looking recommendations, i am hoping for something not too difficult. From what i can see i may need to buy the complete delivery and return lines even though i will be only using the small part that goes up front. Is that correct? Or should i use AN lines and fitting and somehow mount it on the cross member to keep it from dangling. In that case how do i connect the ends to the hard line and the pump.
The dangle!
https://imgur.com/QGgD8sp
Supply lines to fuel pump
https://imgur.com/NaJFHbn
Fuel pump side
https://imgur.com/dJyClwv

Sorry i am not knowledgeable about fuel lines!
Thanks!
JB
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

TA301

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2023, 03:44:49 PM »
Is that an Olds 403 motor? It certainly is not a Pontiac motor. The valve covers look like an Olds motor. With that said, you should source Olds 403 fuel lines that are factory originals in good condition or reproduction.

5th T/A

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2023, 03:47:32 PM »
If you are just looking to keep the rubber lines from dangling down, you could purchase some Adel clamps like these.

IMG_2038 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

You would have to drill some holes through the subframe and then find the right size self-taping bolts to hold them in place. Nothing wrong with using steel braded hose and AN fittings, but it will probably be bulkier and you might have clearance issues. Since the fuel pump is using vacuum to pull fuel from the tank and the return lines only have about 5 PSI pressure the braided line is really over kill.

Pontiac and Chevy engine Firebirds have the fuel pump on the driver side, so you don't have this problem with the supply line. I think they ran a steel line over the cross member for fuel return, but it was only a 1/4' line, so smaller diameter. I will see if I can find how Pontiac ran the fuel lines on the 403 Olds engine. It might take someone with a 1979 assembly manual.
« Last Edit: July 19, 2023, 03:49:17 PM by 5th T/A »
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
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1982 Yamaha Seca 750

stros

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2023, 05:37:58 PM »
Replaced all of my fuel lines with a set from hotrodfuelhose.com.  They seem to be of high quality.
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

b3nny

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2023, 08:37:55 PM »
Is that an Olds 403 motor? It certainly is not a Pontiac motor. The valve covers look like an Olds motor. With that said, you should source Olds 403 fuel lines that are factory originals in good condition or reproduction.

Hi yes its an olds 403 that i have in my TA
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2023, 08:37:55 PM »

sreta

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2023, 03:56:50 AM »
I saved these many years ago, they belong to unknown fellow member.

roadking77

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2023, 05:19:46 AM »
Should be able to get pre bent with just those crossover lines from inline tube.
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b3nny

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2023, 09:38:03 PM »
Thanks for the pics Sreta they further illustrate i am not sure what i am doing! Ha. I think from what i can see is the previous person just cust both hardlines on the driver side before they go across the cross member. So i will need to jack up the car and get under it and have a closer look. From what i can tell online i will likely have to buy the full return kit and fuel supply kit just to get the two front pieces. That sucks or i can bend my own. But will need to buy the hardware the cutter and the bending tool. Also is it factory to have short rubber pieces going from the end to the fuel pump?
Thanks for any help all!
JB
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

sreta

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2023, 04:44:34 AM »
Yes, it is.

Wallington

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2023, 05:54:22 AM »
They need to be rubber, they go from the chassis to the moving engine next to it.

b3nny

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2023, 06:32:28 AM »
That makes sense thanks guys.

JB
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

b3nny

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Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2024, 06:05:57 AM »
Well for anyone interested a year later i am finally doing this fuel line job. I am making my own line and bought a cheap bender and flare tool. I wont have to make any union fittings just a couple bubble flares for the ends of my tubes for the rubber lines to push over. I have removed the 1/4 return line that runs up the passenger side and crosses over via the front cross member with the brake line to the drivers side. I disconnected it at the side of the passenger frame rail and will copy the bends that go over the rail but instead of crossing over the cross member i will just keep going straight to the fuel pump or close to it.

The 3/8 supply line runs up the drivers side goes from hard line to rubber then back to hardline and does a bend over the frame and then tucks under the drivers side of the cross member, so i will copy the first bends over the  frame rail, then attempt to follow the cross member using the bends i have from the 1/4 return line. I did have to cut that tube 2x to get it out. I will say not sure how you are supposed to fit full piece lines into a car that put together seems impossible. Anyway I will follow the cross member and shoot up the pass side and bend towards the fuel pump. That should do it. I will attempt to use all the same clamps.

I have almost completed the 1/4 line but i think the 3/8 line will be a little harder. Also not sure about fitting it after as one long piece that might be tough.
I did try to shoot both lines over with hardline going from where the lines currently terminate on the drivers side under the power steering pump shooting under the engine near the cross member but i didnt like the way it was going to look and was minimally better than those dangling rubber lines. So i opted to make it right.
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

Re: Fuel line recommendations please (pics)
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2024, 06:05:57 AM »
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