I’m getting ready to install a new gas line on my ‘52 3100 with a ‘59 235. When I removed the old line, there was a 8” section of rubber hose connecting the line to the fuel pump. I looked in the Assembly Manual and it appears that the hard line is connected directly to the pump. This doesn’t seem to make any sense to me but I figured I would pose that question to the collective.
How is your fuel line connected to the fuel pump?
Last edited by Phak1; 11/19/202512:40 AM.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Hard line from carburetor all the way to a short reinforced hose with a female inverted flare on one end and a tapered pipe thread on the other which goes into the gas tank valve at the bottom of the tank. The short rubber hose is there to compensate for movement of the cab. A dealer installed glass fuel filter near the carburetor had a short section of rubber hose between the hard line (which had the flared fitting end cut off) and the inlet of the filter. The outlet of the filter was solidly attached to a 60 degree (?) elbow which was threaded into the carburetor. As far as I know anyway,
Last edited by 52Carl; 11/19/20251:16 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
If the solid line from pump to tank is firmly attached to only the motor / transmission and has rubber for the final length to the tank, then yes. The steel tubing going to the pump can not be attached to the frame, cab, or fuel tank without a flexible section long enough to take up all vibration and movement of the drivetrain.
While my Truck is a Task Force and not an AD, this still may be of help. On the Task Force there is a fixed solid line for the tank that at transitions the a flexible rubber line to the frame and back to a fixed solid line to the fuel pump. At the fuel pump it uses a flexible rubber line
All of that said, I used a flexible rubber line from Jim Carter at both locations. I went with this hose solely because at had threaded fittings.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane
Phil, no one has answered your question directly so here it is; The factory setup uses a rubber hose with crimped fittings on each end to attach to the fuel tank petcock and the steel fuel line. This hose is available from the usual sources and uses threaded fittings, not nipples and clamps. (see pictures in my previous post)
The steel line runs along the frame rail and attaches directly to the fuel pump with no rubber hose. A steel line is used from the fuel pump directly to the carburetor with no other filters, rubber hoses, or anything else.
The only flexible line is the one between the petcock and steel line (which is attached to the frame rail).
Pre-formed steel lines match exactly the contours required and are the correct length to utilize the rubber hose which is sold by various restoration houses.
As long as a flexible line is used to transition from the tank to the parts that are all connected to the frame in some way, you'll be fine.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 11/19/20253:26 PM.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Unless you're trying to build a "numbers-correct" car show winner, common sense dictates that a flexible line is needed between the engine and the steel line down the frame rail, and another from the cab to the frame at the tank. However, common sense is a scarce commodity among stovebolters these days. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
The lines on my '51 are set up like Jerry indicates. The original style flex line out of the tank shut-off valve, steel line from there to just about the distributor point on the side of engine running along the frame rail, a 6" section of fuel grade rubber hose connected to remaining short section of steel tube and hardware attaching it to the inlet side of the pump.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Mine too. Makes more sense to allow the motor to wiggle a little when it wants to without possibly damaging any hard lines that might be connected directly to it.
Craig
My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Thank you all for your contributions to this question. I know about the flex line from the tank petcock to the hard line attached to the frame, but I would have thought GM engineers would have also installed one at the fuel pump.
My truck is not a numbers correct build so in addition to the flex line at the tank, I’m going to install one at the fuel pump.
Thanks everybody for your input!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Before y'all go consider my rig. A 1951 3800 pickup. When I got if from the second owner 54 years ago, it had a hard line running along the frame and clipped to it from the flexible tank hose to the fuel pump. The hard line was clipped to the frame at about 2 feet from the pump. That gave plenty of distance for the hard line to flex as the engine rocks from torque. The line connected to the pump about 15 degrees from parallel to the block. I have a couple of pumps with the inlet connection at this angle. Later pumps connected parallel to the block. Still later pumps connected perpendicular to the block. Depending on which pump you are using you can either connect the hard line direct to the pump or you'll need a flexible hose. Given the prevalence ethanol gas and its effect on various plastics and flexible hoses, I would attempt to stick with the hard line if possible.
1951 3800 1-ton "Earning its keep from the get-go" In the DITY Gallery 1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971.
Yes. I don't think there's any need for a an additional hose between the hard line and the pump. There's a lot of wiggle room there.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
I had a problem with an aftermarket short hose with the fittings on it. The rubber turned to runny tar and leaked like a sieve within months. I replaced it with with modern fuel hose and moved on.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission