Just a little report about the replacing the fuel line from the fuel pump to the Q jet on my '72 350-4. I bought the s.s, line from JEGS not the regular steel one thinking it'll last longer even though the original lasted over 40 years and despite warnings that s.s. lines are harder to seat then the steel ones. The fuel line came in about 5 days and well packaged and in good shape. I jacked the front end up and used jack stands for safety, I also removed the front driver side tire. Tthe removal of the old line went great then I test fit the new one which needed a little adjusting. That's when I found out how strong the s.s. tubing is. So with the help of a wood vice, tubing bender and some brute strength I was able to get it very close to the original fuel line. I then installed it and thought I was good to go. I started it up and leaks at both ends! I remove the line and made sure there were no nicks or groves in the metal flare, when I went to re install it again I moved the tubing back and forth wile tightening the nut thinking that would help seat the flared end. I still had a leak. I tried do the same thing about three more times and still got a leak. I decided to use some fuel grade Teflon paste against by better judgement. I applied the paste just to the flare, very little and made sure nothing was in the tubing and made sure that none would squeeze out and get into the fuel line. I reinstalled the line again, tightening as tight as I dared then started her up. No leaks! it's been about four days and about 75 miles and still no leaks and no sign if anything fouling the Q jet. I hoping all's well, I'm thinking I should have gone with the standard steel and NOT the S.S. line, I think I would have had a lot less trouble. Brad
Brad, Stainless is GREAT EXCEPT for that one fact, it's much harder than steel & can SOMETIMES be VERY DIFFICULT to seal. Used for brake lines, especially if you use silicone fluid, I've seen them tightened SO TIGHT that the brass fitting broke. On one vehicle where the customer insisted to use S.S. brake lines I had to make little washers out of DEAD SOFT copper. That was the only way they would seal. AND, after replacing wheel cylinders, masters & calipers MANY times finally went to the new steel/copper lines. Which now solved ALL the problems. Rom T.
I ordered a replacement line from Summit, and it fit without any leaks. I also put an insulator shroud on it, and wrapped it with non-adhesive vinyl wire-harness wrap to keep it clean. Metal fuel lines can vapor-lock if the temperature gets high under the hood.
