Fuel sending unit/fuel filter...stupid question

So my 59 Cadillac is an factory air car. For the factory air cars they had two fuel lines and one line is a return line I'm sure. When I removed the fuel filter I broke the glass bowl. I've have the car running on a gas can right now and I used a single line fuel filter.

I have a new two line fuel sending unit on the way to replace the old one and I will be replacing the fuel lines too. So I guess my dumb question is; is there another way to run the return line while still using a modern single line filter? Or is there a filter I can get at the parts store that I can hook the extra line to?

...hope that made sense. I'm typing this from my cell phone.

 

dodge fuel filters from late 70s had a return on them out the side

 

Thanks, man. I'll check that out. Any more suggestions, folks? If I can't get ahold of a 70s dodge filter should I look for a NOS replacement to resolve the return line issue? They look better but, I've had a few people tell me they have a tendency to leak. I dont need that.

Also, I will be replacing the fuel lines and the stock metal lines (return and main) and they are somewhere around 12 foot long each!!! I can buy the stainless pre-bent lines but its gonna run about $300. I can't justify that cost for some metal lines.... Where can I find metal line that is this long that I can bend myself? I might have to buy a couple stocks of it and mate them with a rubber line huh?

Thanks

 

Use 3/8 brake line. Only use the rubber making the jump from the frame to the fuel pump.

 

Thanks, Rat. The problem is that the length is 12ft before jumping from the frame at both sides. I've only seen stalks of line for sale at local stores for less than half of that length. So, I'd have to jump the two together...unless I'm overlooking something.

 

You should be able to buy a roll of it.

 

Couldn't you buy two 6 foot sections and combine them with some type of fitting?

I'll be doing this myself in a few months on my project and was thinking I'd be able to do that...but haven't looked at the line yet from NAPA to really check it out.

 

hmmm so I could buy a roll of metal line? Just straighten it out and then cut, flare and bend as needed? From a google search I found nothing.

This is my first car that I am doing everything correctly. Its surprising I've lived to do so. A few years ago I woulda ran rubber line all the way back. hehe I know better now.

 

Use copper line, you can get it in 25 foot rolls.

 

NAPA sells the 3/8" steel line in 25' rolls. Other sizes too. I had a 1983 Dodge van with a 318 that used the filter with three lines attached in case the kid at the parts store has to have an exact make and model to find the part.

 

I'm also going to need to know the stock tire size, if it had factory a/c, power steering, and the original owner's wife's maiden name for your van in order to have the right information to get the filter.

Thanks, folks. I love this damn forum.

 

Earlier Jeep YJ's carbed with the 4.2 had a one line in two line out fuel filter. The extra line your was for a return. Anything extra your carb did not take went back to the tank.

 

FF3421 Autozone



FF302

 

They sell unions for brake line. You just buy however much you figure you need plus a bit more to allow for bends. Put them together and you have it. You probably don't have more that 8-10" from frame to fuel pump do you? That's all the rubber line I would use. Be sure to slightly flare the metal line so there is something to hold the rubber line on rather than just a clamp. Also make sure the line you use is rated for gas.

 

Don't use copper.
Buy a 25' roll of line at NAPA. I buy galvanized, but they also have this black coated stuff which is good. Stainless is more expensive, harder to bend, and tends to split on double flares.
Get the fittings you need, or reuse the old ones.
Get a flaring tool and learn how to use it. Practice makes perfect.
Use the old fuel lines as a template for making your bends and lengths. Make all your bends before doing the fittings and flares.
Get a bending tool, or improvise something.

 

As stock, the lines actually do not run on the frame. They run at the passenger side of the body just after the sheet metal turns underneath and they are clamped. They turn just before the front wheel well and the metal line stops at the engine bay. That being said, it must have atleast a foot and a half of rubber at just the front. I will be trying to emiminate some of that. ...last time I messed with metal tube it sure looked like shit so I am not looking foward to this. weeeeee

Thanks