I am getting parts together to run the fuel system for the 455 and can't deside exactly how to mount the regulator. I want to get it as close to the carburator as I can. I have a Holley 950 HP carburetor on a B4B intake and heavy cast valve covers. I will be using a Mallory 6209 regulator (with return). Should I: A. Mount the regulator on the valve cover next to the carburator by making a bracket? B. Tap a couple of blind holes in the carburator spacer? C. Make a bracket and use a couple of intake bolts? Or D. ?
I can understand why people want to mount the regulator right next to the carburetor, but think about what's happening. All of the heat from the intake manifold and valve covers is soaking right into your fuel system. My opinion has always been to mount the regulator on the passenger side inner fender and run the line(s) over to the carb. Then use insulation on the line(s) to keep out heat from the engine and headers. Another trick is to mount the regulator slightly ahead of the carb so the low pressure lines run slightly angled back. When the car is accelerating the g-forces help the fuel flow to the carb. Make sense? Here's a pic of the car I have now. I haven't added the insulation, yet. Hope this helps. Have fun.
Good looking engine Jeff. I see a few locals running SBC and BBC with the same setup. I'm guessing your insulation on the braided lines protects the rocker covers from abrasion. Some folks don't realize the braided lines are an excellent low speed saw. Lay em on something, let it vibrate for a while and you'll find a nice notch cut into where the lines were. Especially true with aluminum. I don't mind if my fuel gets a little warm. Strikes me that it will vaporize a little better once it's into the intake system. I realize as well that cooler fuel makes a touch more HP and it's important for a race car to have cool fuel which helps in the consistency dept as far as the brackets go. Consistency in the brackets being more important than HP imho.... :eek2: That said, here's a pic of the regulator setup in my 462" BBB powered 32 roadster.
Another $.02 is that with a return line the fuel tank, and return line against the frame is acting as a heat sink for the fuel. The further away the reg. is from the carb, the more time the fuel will have to absorb heat while slowly traveling to the float bowls. I like the idea of mounting close to the carb and insulating where possible.
