The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel Line Replacement

I'm replacing the fuel line in my '53 3100 and have a couple of questions about it. Unfortunately, I don't have the original fuel line to go by. It was replace by a previous owner. The line that was in the truck at the time that I purchased it starts with a gentle 90 degree bend at the rear of the cab. From there it runs straight along the top edge of the frame (right side of the truck) until just before the engine vent tube. At that point it make another gentle 90 degree turn away from the frame and towards the engine. Then it bends again and goes between the vent tube and the engine block before ending. It was connected to the fuel pump by about 6 inches of rubber hose. Overall, except for the three bends, the line is fairly straight.

I purchased a replacement fuel line that is supposed to match the original equipment. It starts out like the tube I found on my truck, but it has a bunch of twists and turns in it and doesn't lay nicely against the frame. About 50% of it is hanging unsupported in space. It is the correct length however, and screws directly to the fuel pump.

My first question is which fuel line is right? The straighter fuel line seems to be more like the pictures that I'm seeing in my factory assembly manual. It also seems to be safer because it's supported against the frame for most of it's run.

The second question is, shouldn't the fuel line be connected to the fuel pump by a piece of rubber hose? If I attach the replacement line directly to the fuel pump won't it flex and eventually crack everytime the engine pitches?

I want to be able to go back to the place where I bought my fuel line and tell them that the one they sold me isn't right. Since I don't have the original line and the pictures in the manual don't show the complete fuel line it's a little difficult. Any help with the proper routing and mounting of the fuel line would be appreciated.

Sounds to me as if the one that you got (bought) is corrtect and the one that was on the truck was made with the least amount of bends possible.

Now you can always bend your own. I did.

As for the new line and it breaking because the engine is "flexing". I don't think you will have to worry about that steel line is pretty durable. You may want to get some clips to secure it( the line) to the frame. You are more likely to rub a hole in it then to have it "break" from flexing. If you enging is moving a lot you may want to check your motor mounts.

Good luck

You should have a short section of rubber in it, not just to protect it from the motion of the engine but also to keep it from conducting electricity if your engine block ground fails. You don't want it to heat up and melt or spark when you use the starter.

I thought posting a picture might help. It's a little difficult to make out because it was taken laying on my driveway with the daylight starting to fade. Which one looks more like an original fuel line for a '53 3100?

[img]http://www.wwnet.net/~chevytruck/FuelLine.jpg[/img]

The silver (Top) one looks more like the one under my old 53 3100. I know that fuel line has not been replaced. If it has it was many many years ago. It looks an awful lot like that one.

The top one (new one) looks like the one in my truck ('51 1/2T). Yes, those kinks are very odd but if you look closely you will see that it is also made for the right-hand drive truck. Many things on the left frame rail are reversed to the right and the line has to clear them.

My new line fits against the frame with a couple of clips and had the same bends as the original that I took out. I can take pictures if you would like.

PRW