73' Challenger w/440: Replacing the entire fuel system

[Grec]

The good news is that I got my new fuel pump installed and she started right up.

The bad news is that after 5 miles she died on me.

After three breakdowns in the space of 2 months, I've had enough. I've obviously got crap in there that keeps clogging her up and rather than mess around with trying to clean it out, I've decided to just go with new.

Enough is enough.

The car is a '73 Challenger with a transplanted '68 440.

I'm thinking that I'm going to set her up like a '70 v-code car.

Gas tank without EEC
Fuel sending unit 3/8
Main fuel line 3/8
Return line 1/4
Carter M4845 fuel pump 3/8
Vapor seperator/fuel filter

Does this sound about right/complete?

And just so I'm clear on the function... on the vapor seperator/filter, the 3/8 line goes to the carb as with a normal filter, but the 1/4 inch return line goes back to the tank and dumps out into the second smaller nipple on the sending unit... no?

Also, I've seen "return" and "vapor" lines mentioned, but I'm not clear on the differences. Can someone explain?

Many thanks, as always. :-)

Also, also: Is it worth the extra expense to go stainless?

[Chryco Psycho]

you have it right , in 70-71 the 1/4 line was a return line , in later years the carbon canister was in front & trapped vapor from the fuel system to be reburnt , so it was a similar line with different purpose 

[Grec]

Ok. That makes sense.

I guess the only questions I have at this point are:

Is stainless worth it? I'm thinking probably not. Especially since the car will never see rain while I own it.

Where'e the best source for the parts? I'm leaning towards inlinetube.com as they seem to have most of what I need and their prices seem comparable to the other places I've looked. (They carry the lines, clips, gas tank and pad for the tank. Nice one stop shopping)

I guess this one comes down to quality. Inlinetube claims to be as close to OEM as possible as far as fittiment, materials and fittings go. Are they?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Ok. That makes sense.

I guess the only questions I have at this point are:

Is stainless worth it? I'm thinking probably not. Especially since the car will never see rain while I own it.

Where'e the best source for the parts? I'm leaning towards inlinetube.com as they seem to have most of what I need and their prices seem comparable to the other places I've looked. (They carry the lines, clips, gas tank and pad for the tank. Nice one stop shopping)

I guess this one comes down to quality. Inlinetube claims to be as close to OEM as possible as far as fittiment, materials and fittings go. Are they?

I wouldn't spring for stainless. Not unless this is some kind of show car where you would have mirrors placed underneath to show them off.

 I have bought from Inlinetube. Only tranny lines though. They are SUPER-fast with the shipping, and great to deal with. I bought my fuel lines from Year One.  Since your car is a 73, you would need the bigger clips for the 3/8" line. It's kind of a pain in the butt to run the new line, but you start at the rear wheel well(tire off) on the passenger side. You fish one end forward to the engine, and fight like heck to get the other end up through the wheel well, and across the gas tank. My standard statement is, If I can do it, anyone can.

 I guess you keep clogging your fuel filter?  Has this car sat for ages? It would be interesting to put a fuel pressure gauge on your line from the filter to the carb. to see what's happening.


  Mike

[Grec]

"... fight like heck..."

Oh Joy!

That's what I was thinking about the stainless. Especially as I'm buying the whole system at once. Can't justify the extra $80 or so I'd have to spend.

Yeah. The fuel system keeps cutting out on me. That 's why I just decided to replace it all at one time, so I won't, in theory, ever have to worry about it again.

I have no idea how long this car sat for. I did find wasp's nest here and there so it must have sat somewhere for awhile.
She was definitely garaged, though, as she is very clean.

As for pressure, I'd guess at this point it's getting pretty close to zero pressure. :-)

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Grec,

  I have had more fuel problems than anyone I guess. A hole in my solid fuel line(letting air in). Ruptured diaphram on my fuel pump. Pushrod was worn. I clogged 2 fuel filters in my first 50 miles of driving my car. I installed a cheap fuel pressure gauge from Summit, between my fuel filter and my carb. It helped me a bunch. I have been down your road, so let me know if I can help.


  Mike

[Grec]

Thanks, Mike.

I'm reasonably certain I'll have a few questions as I go through this process.

One that I have, off the top of my head, is how that notched-locking ring on the sender is removed/installed.

Is there a special tool required? I would think that it could be muscled off/on, but I'd hate to scratch up my new tank doing it. :-)

[Chryco Psycho]

the lock ring twists counterclockwise to remove , it can be moved by tapping it with a blunt screwdriver or sometimes it can be twisted using a square shank screwdriver across 2 of the tabs 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

the lock ring twists counterclockwise to remove , it can be moved by tapping it with a blunt screwdriver or sometimes it can be twisted using a square shank screwdriver across 2 of the tabs 

   


  BIG flat blade screw driver, and a hammer will work. If you remove the rear tire on the driver's side first, you can get at it a little better. That big ring is reproduced, as is the rubber gasket for the sending unit. Sometimes when you buy a new sending unit, you get the gasket, sometimes not.  You may not need either, but I'm just giving you a 'heads-up".

  Mike

[Grec]

Gotcha.

Thanks guys.