Fuel Separator Question

[ghjedi]

Hello,

I have a 72 Challenger with a 440 engine (not the original engine).  I see from my shop manual and from posts here that there are basically 2 types fuel separators for Challengers: 1 by the fuel tank (for 1972 Challengers) or 1 next to the fuel pump (for other Dodge models with 440 engines).

I believe that my car, should have the separator near the fuel tank, but it has been removed.  I would like to add this component back in to avoid excess fuel tank pressure and the occasional fuel vapor smell I get.

The question I have is that since I have a 440 engine, would you add the fuel pump style separator or go back to the orignal style one?  I'm not interested in keeping everything stock, so original equipment is not critical to me.  I am more interested in what would function best.  I'm leaning towards the fuel pump style separator, since it seems much easier to install and find.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

[ShelbyDogg]

The front one is a fuel/vapor separator. You should use one with the 1/4 retrun line ans 3/8 pickup to keep vapor lock down, during the hot summer driving.  The rear one is for expansion gases in the tank. The gases are either routed to the valve cover or charcoal canister depending on the year. If you want to run a 70 style , not CA style, just run a vent off of the top of the filler tube down into the right rear framerail.     

Either way, I would run the front fuel/vapor  separator. (I had a real bad case of vapor lock going to the Nationals one year)

[Aussie Challenger]

I would run the front one also as it assists in keeping the temperature in the fuel pump down by circulating cooler fuel even when the carby doesn't need fuel so no heat soak.   

[ghjedi]

Thanks guys for the input. I was thinking about these 2 different types as either or, meaning I should have 1 but not both.  I live in CA, but I think I'll go with the 70 style setup, as it seems much simplier and I don't have to worry about smog for my car's year.

For the 70 setup in the rear, is there anything special that I would need for the vent line?  Just wondering if there is a special part involved here or not. If not, what would you recommend?  A regular fuel line?

[ShelbyDogg]

For my 71 Vert, it has the tall separator on top of the outer wheel house. The tallest line inside of it used to connect to a line that runs up to the front, then the valve cover breather.   I'm just running a short piece of rubber hose, from the separator nipple pointing to the ground, hidden by the fender.