Fuel Line Connector Question...Success!! With Pics

[Fordum]

Folks I have posted a thread over in the lounge about my friend's truck. It was mostly a "here is what happened" thing, but I have realized that it is turning into a garage type thread, so I am going to post here with a question.
The thread is https://ck5.com/forums/threads/baitfish-2s-truck-is-dead-it-lives.312416/#post-3377389
Note: I changed the link 7/7/20 because the addressing system changed and it was broken.

The truck is a 1994 C1500 4wd with the 5.7 engine.

Its a long ways in the swamp, so we need to have everything we need on hand when we start.
Its a two hour run through mud and water for parts and tools.

So, my question is, what holds the fuel line on the pump? Is it just a clamp and rubber hose, or does it use one of the spring loaded locks? If it uses the lock, will one of the plastic rings unlock it, or do we need a better tool.
We don't want to get the hole cut and then find we cannot unhook the pump.

 

[sweetk30]

94 should be this one

vent is pinch clamp like used for years . std plyers get it .

send and return lines are 16mm and 18-19mm fittings . FYI std line wrench kits don't include the 16mm / 18mm size. most of the time you have to buy this wrench separately !

std old swap out from reg old style stuff.

the quick connects didn't come in till around 97-98ish if I recall correctly on the trucks in gm .

also might wana see about getting new fuel rated orings for the 3/8 and 5/16 lines . there a brown color from factory . lots of times these get worn out when removed for this kind of job. and if not good you will not seal and leak .

 

[dyeager535]

Looking the sending unit for that application up on Rockauto, pictures for all makes shows a similar setup to the R/V series, so either the spring clips, or hose clamp.

The spring loaded clamps only need a pair of pliers to loosen them enough to slide off up the hose, off the tube.

Again, I don't own this particular model, but it should be no different than the K5 injected setups, which I am familiar with.

Lock ring on the tank appears to be standard with all the same vintage/older GM stuff as well, tap loose with a brass drift or screwdriver if you don't mind the potential sparking issue.

GOOD tubing wrenches to get the fittings off the body fuel lines.

 

[Fordum]

Sounds good. Makes me feel stupid to not click on the pics on Rockauto. I'm not sure what he is going to show up with.
I'll dig around in my tool box to see if I have those size wrenches in tubing style. If not, I'll check with my mechanic and see if I can borrow them for the weekend.

He is closed then, and won't need them. I can drop them by his house on Sunday on the way home.

Thanks for the info. I will try to post pics of the successful results, or the resulting fireball.......

 

[Fordum]

This will be a multi post due to picture limits. I wrote it in notepad, to copy and paste here.
Hope the formatting holds up.

We started on the project on Saturday between rainstorms. Since we were leaving on Sunday, and wanted to hunt some that day before we left, we needed it finished before then.

First, the truck had to be cleaned out. Toolbox and dog box removed with all assorted pieces.



Then the bedliner had to be removed.


That required an all hands effort.



Careful measurements were made.



Then the holes were drilled at the four corners. Despite my suggestion, no drill stop was used. He said he was good enough to not need one.
First hole was almost a drill through, but he got better.


Continued next page.

 

[Fordum]

As the cut was started, many were watching.


When I reminded them he was cutting over a gas tank half full of gas of unknown tightness, things cleared out.


At this point, other than myself, he was alone.


At this point I suggested a seat.


Which made the cutting much easier.


Next page

 

[rebelgregory]

The plot thickens......

 

[Fordum]

The revealed part was nasty, even after being hit with carb cleaner.


But a combination of carb cleaner and detergent did the trick.


It was then pointed out that the fittings were not easily accessible.


So, a re cut was made.


And the locking ring was tapped out.


Next page

 

[Fordum]

The offending unit was removed. The sock was especially in bad shape. Split, and rotten


Despite my strong suggestion, only a new pump was bought. If he had spent the extra money, the whole new unit would have been ready to go in at this point.
Instead, the new pump and sock had to be installed.
Also, notice that the float is laying to the side. That is because he broke the locking piece when he was taking the pump assembly out.
Since we are hours deep in the swamp, a new assembly was not an option.

Also notice the original O ring seal laying nearby. Although the pump came with a new O ring, it was decided to reuse the old one.
Not only was it soft and still in good shape, it was molded around the three metal tabs that locked it in place. The new ones were just O rings.


Since he was crying about not having a gas gauge, I rode to the rescue. As you can see, I tied the float to the arm with some copper wire.


Tucking the ends down into a hole on the arm so they would not interfer with the arm movement.


The watchers were back, with one of them helping hold the ring in position. An injury has just that second occurred, and you can see the look of glee appearing in the faces.


last page.

 

[Fordum]

Despite the conditions, lack of tools, and other considerations, the repair worked, and the truck is now running.



He has not closed the hole yet. He is going to redo his tool box to get rid of a leak, make some kind of patch and then put the bed liner back in.

And the next morning, we went out and did this.


A good time was had by all.


Well, the deer was not too happy...........

 

[y5mgisi]

Entertaining!

 

[brian wafer]

i think i never could unscrew them fitting,they are usally all rusted up here.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What fitting?

You mean that lump of rusted metal on top of the tank?


That's a fitting?








Oh, btw it's a K1500. 6 lugs, shortbed, and 4x4 stickers = K1500.

 

[brian wafer]

the pressure line and return line have swivel fittings with o-rings,on the sending unit. once cleaned its not really that badly rusted.

 

[4xcrazy]

With the amount of time cutting out that hole I bet with all those guys there the whole bed could have been removed faster, without damaging the bed floor and doing it, essentially, the wrong way.

I have dropped tanks in pretty decent time on pick ups and even tried removing the bed once on an S-10. Both seemed to take about the same amount of time.

EH, personal preference I guess, some like destroying things, others prefer to do the job nice and clean.

 

[Fordum]

Ah, but you are missing one point. Look at the ground where we are working. That is the highest and driest spot in that part of the swamp.

In most of the area under the truck, the mud is over a pair of shoes. Plus, its caked up thick on the underside of the truck and all the bolts.

We put a tarp down and got under when this first happened, and by the time we got one of the bolts loosened, we were covered in mud.
And it was wetter when these pics were taken.

We wanted to do it top down instead of bottom up. And to be honest given its location, I like the idea of an access hole.
After he puts a patch over it, then the bed liner, and then the tool box over, it will not be a problem.

In my personal truck, if I go with a hole, it will be in the center of the bed towards the tailgate.
So, if not patched properly, it will be a liability. So I am waiting to see if I can line up a lift and a transmission jack to lower the tank.

But, if I had a choice, I would much prefer a well done access door, since I tend to keep my equipment a long time.