EFI Fuel Line Questions: Routing and material of line

[monk302]

All,

Issue #1 - I don't have the EFI fuel lines from my donor 5.0. Insteady I purchased a 25' section of 3/16 fuel line. I can use this instead of the 5.0 donor fuel lines right?

Issue #2 - Last year when I did my T-5 swap I noticed the fuel line was in poor condition so I replaced it in the stock location with 3/16 aluminum. This means it is on the driver side. When I do my new fuel system with the return line, do I have to have both on the passenger side? How should my fuel system be routed. Both delivery and returns lines together, one on each side for does it not matter?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[iskwezm]

3/16????? Do you mean 5/16????? You can run the lines anywhere you want, just try to keep away from heat sourced and tucked up close to the body.

 

[red65]

I, also, will assume you mean 5/16", not 3/16". If you're actually planning to use 3/16" tubing, stop and return it. Replace with at least 5/16" tubing (might want to consider 3/8" if you're making much more power than stock, also)

#1 Aluminum fuel lines should be fine as long as you're careful about end-fittings. Flaring them is best, compression fittings are an OK second-best. Don't just slide rubber hose over a bare tube end and expect it to hold - EFI systems make lots of pressure.

#2 Doesn't matter which side of your car they run down. I found it most convenient to run the pressure side over the rear axle on the driver's side and the return over the rear axle on the passenger side ('cause that's where the drain plug / now return port is on my gas tank), then bring them together near the passenger side of the driveshaft tunnel and run them up into the engine compartment on the passenger side. But there are a thousand ways to skin that cat. Pick one.

 

[monk302]

I, also, will assume you mean 5/16", not 3/16". If you're actually planning to use 3/16" tubing, stop and return it. Replace with at least 5/16" tubing (might want to consider 3/8" if you're making much more power than stock, also).

Actually I meant the 3/8." Not sure what I was thinking when I was posting. Figured it would be better to upgrade now than later.

#2 Doesn't matter which side of your car they run down. I found it most convenient to run the pressure side over the rear axle on the driver's side and the return over the rear axle on the passenger side ('cause that's where the drain plug / now return port is on my gas tank), then bring them together near the passenger side of the driveshaft tunnel and run them up into the engine compartment on the passenger side. But there are a thousand ways to skin that cat. Pick one.

Alright, I guess I can do it anyway I like then. Wanted to see if everyone one on the board did it one way or another. I would like to get some picts together of how people put together their fuel lines for the EFI swap.

 

[66HertzClone]

I, also, will assume you mean 5/16", not 3/16". If you're actually planning to use 3/16" tubing, stop and return it. Replace with at least 5/16" tubing (might want to consider 3/8" if you're making much more power than stock, also)

#1 Aluminum fuel lines should be fine as long as you're careful about end-fittings. Flaring them is best, compression fittings are an OK second-best. Don't just slide rubber hose over a bare tube end and expect it to hold - EFI systems make lots of pressure.

#2 Doesn't matter which side of your car they run down. I found it most convenient to run the pressure side over the rear axle on the driver's side and the return over the rear axle on the passenger side ('cause that's where the drain plug / now return port is on my gas tank), then bring them together near the passenger side of the driveshaft tunnel and run them up into the engine compartment on the passenger side. But there are a thousand ways to skin that cat. Pick one.

#1 I used the same plastic line that Ford uses, found these ends to use and bought a couple of adapters to connect it to AN for use under the hood. http://fuelsender.com/

#2 I used the original fuel line as a return, cut it off at the base of the firewall, used an compression adapter to switch to AN line. Back at the tank, I cut the line off just before it bent down to the sender. I used a new piece of 5/16 brake line and a compression union to connect to the tank drain plug. I ran the new line up the right frame rail, the first clamp supporting the line was the tailpipe hanger bolts in the frame rail. I ran the line inside the rail, drilled and fished the line thru the box where the shocks enter the floor of the car. I continued the line along the subframe connectors, and changed to AN at the base of the firewall. There are some photos of this on page seven of my Cardomain site.

 

[monk302]

#2 I used the original fuel line as a return, cut it off at the base of the firewall, used an compression adapter to switch to AN line. Back at the tank, I cut the line off just before it bent down to the sender. I used a new piece of 5/16 brake line and a compression union to connect to the tank drain plug. I ran the new line up the right frame rail, the first clamp supporting the line was the tailpipe hanger bolts in the frame rail. I ran the line inside the rail, drilled and fished the line thru the box where the shocks enter the floor of the car. I continued the line along the subframe connectors, and changed to AN at the base of the firewall. There are some photos of this on page seven of my Cardomain site.

Hertzclone,

I am going to do the same thing as you with the return line into the drainplug. Could you describe to me the fitting that you have into the drainplug? I would like to know where I can get the same thing.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[II-much-rust]

hi. i think this is the first time i've posted on this forum, anyway i was also planing on doing a 5.0 swap in my 78 cobra ii, and i was wondering why nobody uses the fuel sending unit off a 74 v6, i have two 74 v6 coup's and they both have a return line. is there something wrong with them?

 

[II-much-rust]

oops sorry, wrong forum.

 

[roan65]

if you use rubber hose, make sure it is good for higher pressure. I'm using Goodyear insta-grip rubber hose. EFI hose is SPENDY!!

 

[66HertzClone]

Hertzclone,

I am going to do the same thing as you with the return line into the drainplug. Could you describe to me the fitting that you have into the drainplug? I would like to know where I can get the same thing.

Thanks,

Mike

The fitting on my tank was 1/8 npt, I purchased a 90 degree 1/8 npt male to 5/16 inverted flare female. I bought a 51" long piece of preflared fuel line from the parts store, cut the original fuel line just before it started to bend down and connect to the sender. I used a compression union to connect the two lines together, and bent the new 5/16 line to fit. There are some photos on page 7 of my Cardomain page.