Fuel line from pump to carb- guidance needed

[vandelay industries]

1) Can we get some pics?

2) All the other suggestions are good, but for me, the easiest way, i think so, at least:
https://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/641020/10002/-1

i run this line myself. Another advantage with this setup is if you needed to run a BOP [(buick/olds/pontiac)cadillac?] quadrajet, it's easy---no bending/flaring necessary. Also, if you wanted to run any other type of carb, like Holley etc., it's easy and leakproof etc.

 

[tenderfoot]

Have you decided which way to go yet? I can't be the only one who has an interest in the out come of this

 

[tenderfoot]

1) Can we get some pics?

2) All the other suggestions are good, but for me, the easiest way, i think so, at least:
https://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/641020/10002/-1

i run this line myself. Another advantage with this setup is if you needed to run a BOP [(buick/olds/pontiac)cadillac?] quadrajet, it's easy---no bending/flaring necessary. Also, if you wanted to run any other type of carb, like Holley etc., it's easy and leakproof etc.

Is that an alligator clip on your choke?

 

[76zimmer]

Guys, can we keep a thread on track for just a little while? We have the lounge with several threads specifically for "white noise"...perhaps we could keep the inane content in those threads?

Bow to bad cop!

Gogogirl....watch this video and tell us where you may have deviated from his instructions, and if the leak is at the large fuel filter fitting where it screws into the carb housing, or the smaller line fitting that attaches to the filter fitting.

 

[vandelay industries]

Is that an alligator clip on your choke?

i'm afraid so. i have taken care of it with the real plug thing that's supposed to be on there. The problem is the plastic part has broken off.

Can anyone direct me to a replacement part#?

i have also made other changes, but haven't had time to post an updated pic. This one was actually my first 4.3 and it had a mechanical pump (some 4.3 blocks actually had this option, but most others after 87 did not, but you probably already knew that.).

 

[vandelay industries]

P.S.
i'm not a fan of the mr. gasket air cleaner either, but i needed the truck running asap. i'm going to go with a K+N next.

 

[diesel4me]

If it is leaking at the threads where the fuel inlet fitting screws into the carb,it is likely the threads are either sloppy or stripped,or worst case,the carb casting cracked there..
They do sell "self tapping" fuel inlet fittings,but my experience with those is they often end up cracking the carb casting,there is not much meat in that area and it is brittle..
I've used this type of repair fitting before,in fact I think I have one still in the package in my garage somewhere I bought in the 80's ,when they had the brand "Perfect Parts" instead of "HELP" or "Motormite/ Dorman".

It looks like the one pictured below,and it has O rings that seal against the old threads,when you tighten the inlet fitting it expands and forces the O-rings tight against the casting..
You can crack the carb with this type too though,if you tighten it too much..you just want it snug enough not to leak..

 

[GoGoGirl]

I haven’t updated this in a while. Had lots of deadlines to meet at work and very little free time.

I appreciate each and every reply, I just have lacked the time to act on anything.

I have an appointment Monday to get this problem looked at. What really sucks is that the shop is close nearby but I need a darn tow truck to bring the Blazer there because I can’t start it.

 

[76zimmer]

Gogo I understand time crunches, but for the price of a commercial tow and repair, you could try a few of the suggestions here.
If you simply don’t have the time, then you have to bite it and pony up for the repair
Good luck and keep us up to date!

 

[GoGoGirl]

Bow to bad cop!

Gogogirl....watch this video and tell us where you may have deviated from his instructions, and if the leak is at the large fuel filter fitting where it screws into the carb housing, or the smaller line fitting that attaches to the filter fitting.

Thank you! This is the kind of thing that just may solve the mystery!

I honestly don’t remember but I may have forgotten or not had the o-ring gasket that the guy shows when he’s reassembling the filter! But it’s been a while and I can’t remember.

Could that tiny little thing be the source of all my problems??

 

[diesel4me]

Yes,that little fiber or nylon ring gasket is all that seals up the fitting against the carb,it has no flare seat in the carb to seat against,that gasket does all the sealing..it could just be that,if your lucky,and the fitting isn't cross threaded or the carb casting isn't cracked there..

 

[76zimmer]

Thank you! This is the kind of thing that just may solve the mystery!

I honestly don’t remember but I may have forgotten or not had the o-ring gasket that the guy shows when he’s reassembling the filter! But it’s been a while and I can’t remember.

Could that tiny little thing be the source of all my problems??

i hope so, that is why I put the video in.
Most people relate well to pictures/videos/hands on type explanations rather than text only.
If possible put up a couple pics of the fuel line and carb filter opening when you get it apart.
Good luck.

 

[imiceman44]

Thank you! This is the kind of thing that just may solve the mystery!

I honestly don’t remember but I may have forgotten or not had the o-ring gasket that the guy shows when he’s reassembling the filter! But it’s been a while and I can’t remember.

Could that tiny little thing be the source of all my problems??

I was going to ask you if you saw it and that it is not pinched. Been there

 

[imiceman44]

I also had one that was leaking and I pulled it out and found 2 plastic seals.
Someone didn't remove the old one.
That was a quick fix

 

[GoGoGirl]

Whoa!!! Just pulled the filter out and there’s no o-ring anywhere!! New or old!! Could that be all that’s holding me back? I plan to get to an auto parts store today and get a new gasket.

Some photos:

 

[sweetk30]

the nut / adapter from the hard line double 45* seat flare to the carb body should have a white / clear / black rubber coated metal frame washer seal of some sort . the few i listed just now are the most common colors . it goes on all the way at the end of the big adapter to seal inside the carb body .

here is a few links to sites with pics of the gasket thingy .

https://quadrajetparts.com/inlet-fitting-gaskets-self-tapping-fittings-pack-p-2442.html
https://quadrajetparts.com/inlet-fitting-gaskets-nylon-pack-p-124.html

i dont know if the parts stores will have it unless you buy a whole reman gasket kit for the carb .

 

[GoGoGirl]

@sweetk30 I bought one of those, it was clear in my case, put it in and was able to start the truck for the first time in an long while!! Thank you very much!

And after the initial run, I parked for about half an hour, then it started right up again.

But that’s it for the good news!

Bad news is, it’s still dripping from somewhere. I swear it’s dripping less, maybe 30% less, but it’s still there. I can’t really tell where it’s coming from as it’s a difficult angle to look at when the engine’s running, so here are some photos. Sorry for the bad quality photo but it’s hard to catch the drips when they happen and hard to zoom in and keep my hand perfectly still.

It appears the fuel is leaking from the same place it was before, but it runs down the carb a bit and then drops off there, probably due to the angle I’m parked at (dirt driveway with ruts).

 

[sweetk30]

get a can of brake cleaner . use it along with some paper towels to dri the area . fire it up and look for the leak .

also some times over the years the carb body has been known to break in this area . . . i sure hope its not that . .

 

[76zimmer]

Possible leak areas to check:
The flared end of the fuel line; it may be split or have a burr or debris preventing a good seat to the filter housing.
The flare seat inside of the filter housing; it may have a burr or debris keeping the flared fitting from seating completely.
It looks like the threads on the fuel line fitting are ok, but it should screw onto the filter housing by hand. Used lines as in your case can be out of alignment and perhaps need a little help w a wrench, just be sure you’re not cross threading while tightening the fitting.
The fuel filter housing; check the fine threads to be sure they haven’t been cross threaded or perhaps stripped in the carb main body. This fitting should screw in by hand until the nylon/fiber washer (about an inch id) seats inside the carb body, then snug it with a wrench....do not over tighten, let the gasket compress to seal against the carb body.
Here are a few pics of the pieces. Note the nylon washer at the threaded end of the filter housing.
Not all of these carbs have the little check valve inside the filter housing.

 

[76zimmer]

If you need some parts let me know, I have a few laying around, as many of us do.