Fuel line configuration - help and reassurance needed!

[zanman]

Hi All - I’ve been powering through my build with my 10 year old son. It’s been nothing short of awesome. He has handled almost everything with me except the diff install for obvious reasons. I needed to pull some buddies in for that. Still missing a lot of parts but we got the entire rear end in. Just wish I could get the front lowers and the front would be done too! Anyway we moved on to the fuel tank which just came. Got that in with a heck of a lot of sweat and pg appropriate curse words with my sons watching my every move haha. Moving on to the fuel hard lines and fuel filter I have to say this is the first time I really feel uneasy. First off the filter can’t be mounted anywhere near where the instructions show. There’s actually a cross bar welded on the 3” frame bar where they show. Seems like I have a slightly different (maybe newer?) frame then that showed in the instructions. I’m sure I can mount the filter bracket anywhere along there but I could certainly use the reassurance from those with some experience. Also does anyone have a better set of pics on how and where they mounted the hard fuel lines? This is my first time with fuel lines so like I said I could use some direction as the instructions are amazing vague in this area. I have a fear of mounting in bad spot without knowing exact locations and space consumption of my future engine and tran space.

Thanks again.

Mike

[GTBradley]

Hey Mike, it matters what fuel setup you have, so going into detail without knowing that might not help you. What might help is looking at the build threads others have created. A number of them even have indexes to help find subjects you’re interested in. There are many different approaches to fuel lines, some with return lines, some without and some with regulators, some without. Give it a look (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?103-Roadster-Build-Threads) and if it still doesn’t help post details about your setup and someone will have advice for you.

Bradley.

[Indy Shu]

Fyi, there should be some front LCA's in your future. I received a set a couple of weeks ago and a radiator last week.

[phileas_fogg]

As GTBradley says, we need to know something about your setup, starting with carb vs. EFI.

If EFI, read your instructions carefully. They'll tell you if you need a 10 micron filter, 20 micron filter, or whatever. For my Holley Terminator, I needed a different filter than what was supplied by F5.


John

P.S. When you have a moment, add your build configuration to your signature. That'll help make future responses more "on target", i.e., you won't get carb answers to your EFI question. :D Click "Forum Actions" (small print at the top left of the page), then click the "Edit Profile" tab. You'll see "Edit Signature" under "My Settings" on the left side of the page.

[runamuk]

I'm am working on the same thing right now. We both have an IRS which is different from the instruction manual that shows the filter mounting with a solid axle. I've decided to make a different line between the tank and filter which will move the filter forward about 6 inches on the frame rail.

[skidd]

Not a direct answer to your question.. but.. her's my 02c from my experience running my fuel lines.
I went with a carb, using a single low-pressure electric in-tank fuel pump, dead-headed right at the carb with 6psi.
But I installed both the provided hard-lines (feed and return) with the kit, on the off-chance I might one day want to switch to a EFI setup of some sort.
The problem with this is that the F5 provided hard-lines are undersized for the Sniper and FITech EFI kits. So, if I was to want to switch, I'd be replacing one or more of my lines.
Cliff Notes: If you're installing both hard-lines (feed and return) spend the few $$ and up-size them for future proofing.

As for the Fuel Filter location, .. as others have outlines, we need to know the details of your fuel setup... carb? efi (oem, aftermarket)? electric pump? in-tank? Mechanical pump?
With my setup being a low-flow in-tank electric pump, nearly any EFI inline fuel filter will work, I went with a standard mustang fuel filter installed at the rear just a little past the outlet ports from the tank.
Something to consider, install the fuel filter higher rather than lower. The reason being, one day you'll need to replace it, and if the install location is a little higher, there'll be less chance of a siphon affect pulling fuel from your tank when you disconnect the old filter.

Here is where I opted to mount my filter. It can be accessible by jacking up the car and crawling under, but it's actually not bad when the rear tire is removed. Also note, I left enough rubber hose to provide some slack for pulling on the ends when trying to remove/install a new filter.

https://www.ludicrous-speed.com/zp/albums/Shanes%20Cobra/TheBuild/IMG_6501.JPG

[zanman]

Thanks for the feedback all. I’m pissed at myself for asking a specific question without providing any spec details on my build - I can see how that would help! I am putting in a 427 from blue print. Efi with what I understand to be in line fuel pump. Funny thing is I don’t remember much discussion/decisions on fuel supply setup when ordering the car or engine. So I’m struggling learning here. This was great feedback so far though. I too was thinking to put new line to tank and just mounting filter bracket up a few inches closer to cab.

John - good call i’m going to get my specs in my sig.

And I hope your right John I need those front lower arms!

[GTBradley]

Thanks for the feedback all. I’m pissed at myself for asking a specific question without providing any spec details on my build - I can see how that would help! I am putting in a 427 from blue print. Efi with what I understand to be in line fuel pump. Funny thing is I don’t remember much discussion/decisions on fuel supply setup when ordering the car or engine. So I’m struggling learning here. This was great feedback so far though. I too was thinking to put new line to tank and just mounting filter bracket up a few inches closer to cab.

John - good call i’m going to get my specs in my sig.

And I hope your right John I need those front lower arms!
No worries, Mike. Off the top of my head I can remember one other 427 build thread by Fman. He did a really nice job using flexible SS lines and I think it's a great option for making your life easier. Check out what he did on his build thread (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35778-Fmans-Dart-427-build-9818/page5) - post # 176.

PS. The forum site will probably block you from setting up your signature until your post count is 20 or more. You can get around that by contacting an admin.

[hineas]

I have the 347 with EFI from BluePrint.

With my engine they supplied the fuel pump, fuel filters, and even the fuel line.


It is a whole other discussion if you use the BluePrint provided flexible hoses, hard lines, or braided stainless steel lines. I opted to use the flexible hoses that came with the engine and figure if they start to crack or rot I'll probably replace them with braided hose.

I mounted the pre pump filter along the rectangle tube above the rear axle (mine is solid axle so might be different). I mounted the pump at the end of the 4 inch round tube on the passenger side. I then ran my fuel lines outside the 4" round tube. The post pump filter was along the 4" frame.

I then ran the lines up the passenger foot box as far from the headers as possible.

I hope that made sense. I included some pictures that show my setup.

159072

159071

[phileas_fogg]

...Efi with what I understand to be in line fuel pump...

Hineas has the answer. Pre-filter (coarse, 100-250u?) in a place you can change it after removing the rear tire, pump down low (at or below the bottom of the tank), and post-filter (fine, 10u or whatever your EFI specifies) down stream of the pump (so fuel is "pushed" through it) in a place you can change it easily.


John

[zanman]

Excellent - thanks hineas for the pics. I’m calling blue print after Xmas to confirm the fuel components coming with my engine before I install further. Good call. Man it’s been like a year since I ordered that thing.

On a positive note all my wilwood brake components came yesterday so on to that! I swear it’s like xmas everytime a FFR box sits on my front porch from FedEx.