Author Topic: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines  (Read 6150 times)

Offline mrbill426

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1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« on: May 10, 2014 - 03:33:57 PM »
 :1zhelp:  Can anyone tell me if the 1/4" fuel vapor lines are the same for a '72 Cuda, as they are for '73-'74?  Mine '(72) is a 2 piece, I guess because of A/C, but the fuel line catalog skips 1972 with a 2 piece 1/4" line. :clueless:  And, I can't seem to locate a online listing for fuel line clips for 5/16" supply and 1/4" vapor; only 3/8" supply with 5/16" vapor.   My combo certainly can't be that rare  :dunno: 
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Offline mrbill426

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MOPAR or NO car!

'72 'Cuda 340, white on white
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Offline anlauto

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2014 - 07:36:33 PM »
The 1/4 line attaches to the 5/16 line with the "S" clips and only the 5/16 line is clamped to the car. :2cents:
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Offline CudamanTom

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2014 - 07:48:57 PM »
The 1/4 line attaches to the 5/16 line with the "S" clips and only the 5/16 line is clamped to the car. :2cents:
Alan, I know you have more experience but I will throw out there what I read/learned.
3/8 main line and 1/4 return line clip to the body and the 5/16 vapor line uses "S" clip to the 3/8 line.
Again, that's what I got out of past info, not to say it's 100% correct, but it worked for me.
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Offline anlauto

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2014 - 08:52:39 PM »
Alan, I know you have more experience but I will throw out there what I read/learned.
3/8 main line and 1/4 return line clip to the body and the 5/16 vapor line uses "S" clip to the 3/8 line.
Again, that's what I got out of past info, not to say it's 100% correct, but it worked for me.

Yes I would tend to agree with you when you're talking about a three line set-up like on 71 six pack cars, but here we're talking about a 1972 two line set-up :2cents:
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Offline burdar

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2014 - 10:59:26 PM »
My 73 used a special clip that is not repopped.(as far as I know) I assumed a 72 would use the same one since the lines are probably the same.  The main 5/16 line and the 1/4 vapor line are held on with the same clip.  It's a wide clip that goes around both lines.  A guy from Canada had some spares that he sold me.  My original ones were toast.  The clips that Fine Lines sells might be correct for 1970 but weren't even close for my 73.  If you want a picture of the clip I can take a picture of it.  The car used a few of the phosphate coated spring clips but not many.

The 72 used a charcoal canister just like 73.  It probably used the same line setup.  The only difference might be if the car used the later style vapor separator on the shock x-member(like 73-74) or the earlier style tube in the trunk.(like 71)

Offline mrbill426

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2014 - 11:13:06 PM »
Guys I appreciate all the help and discussion on this.  :wave:  I just took some calipers out and measured the old lines... the main (feed) line is 5/16" OD, and the 2 piece vapor line is indeed 1/4" OD all the way from that vapor box above the tank, up to the engine compartment; there is a short rubber hose, then another "L" shaped 1/4" OD line up the the charcoal canister.  There are no "S" clips anywhere, just one push-in spring clip at the tank and, and a total of 8 flat wrap-around clips for both lines.  My front to rear brake line use the same type wrap clips bolted to the frame rail.

Here are some photos.

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Offline burdar

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2014 - 11:32:14 PM »
Here is the style clip used on my 73.  It looks like the same as yours.  They are not repopped.  There are some that look close but none I found are exactly the same.  Yours look like they are in decent shape.  Soak them in acid to clean them up.  Then you can have them replated with the rest of your fasteners.

It sounds like your lines are the same as mine.  I cleaned and reused the front line on my car.  The flair at the end of the line(closest to the charcoal canister) wasn't big enough.  The original line had a larger flair.  It needs to be large because the line is 1/4" but the hose coming off the canister is 5/16".


Offline mrbill426

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2014 - 12:02:29 AM »
Thanks, yep  that looks like the clips alright, I will do what I can with them if they are not reproduced, that sux though.  Thanks for the tip on the front line, you are right it does have a large flare.  Mine might be salvageable.

So I guess what I actually need is a 2 piece line set for a '73 (with A/C), and skip the fasteners they advertise because they will be way wrong.  The line manufactures don't mention that possibility for a '72.

 :working:


Here is the style clip used on my 73.  It looks like the same as yours.  They are not repopped.  There are some that look close but none I found are exactly the same.  Yours look like they are in decent shape.  Soak them in acid to clean them up.  Then you can have them replated with the rest of your fasteners.

It sounds like your lines are the same as mine.  I cleaned and reused the front line on my car.  The flair at the end of the line(closest to the charcoal canister) wasn't big enough.  The original line had a larger flair.  It needs to be large because the line is 1/4" but the hose coming off the canister is 5/16".


MOPAR or NO car!

'72 'Cuda 340, white on white
'72 Sebring; bracket project
'64 Imperial Crown black on black
'66 Imperial Crown; parts car

Offline anlauto

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #10 on: May 11, 2014 - 07:18:01 AM »
Good stuff to know...Things really change in the "later years".....I typically been restoring too many 70-71's I guess....I apologize for the wrong info...AGAIN :banghead:
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Offline quapman

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2014 - 08:01:25 AM »
A/C has nothing to do with fuel lines.

Just to confuse the topic further, early 72 cars will have the funky trunk tube, as opposed to the later 4-in, 1-out vapor deal. The 5/16 & 1/4 lines going front-to-back are the same, I believe, for all 72-4's.

Excellent pics guys. I'm going to need them when I run my new lines soon.
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Offline mrbill426

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2014 - 09:02:54 AM »
Hey, no worries, these cars are a learning curve all the way  :) , this is not the first mid-year dilemma  :clueless: I have dealt with on this one.  Again, appreciate everyone's input.

 :working:

Good stuff to know...Things really change in the "later years".....I typically been restoring too many 70-71's I guess....I apologize for the wrong info...AGAIN :banghead:
MOPAR or NO car!

'72 'Cuda 340, white on white
'72 Sebring; bracket project
'64 Imperial Crown black on black
'66 Imperial Crown; parts car

Offline mrbill426

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2014 - 09:13:24 AM »
Thanks.   I mentioned "A/C" because one mfg, Right Stuff Detailing, specifies it in their catalog for '70-'72 'Cuda (only) but they say 5/16".  Also, some mfgs including Right Stuff call it (for '73-'74) a 1/4" "return" line.  :dunno:

Does anyone know who makes the fuel lines that Year One distributes??


A/C has nothing to do with fuel lines.

Just to confuse the topic further, early 72 cars will have the funky trunk tube, as opposed to the later 4-in, 1-out vapor deal. The 5/16 & 1/4 lines going front-to-back are the same, I believe, for all 72-4's.

Excellent pics guys. I'm going to need them when I run my new lines soon.
MOPAR or NO car!

'72 'Cuda 340, white on white
'72 Sebring; bracket project
'64 Imperial Crown black on black
'66 Imperial Crown; parts car

Offline CudamanTom

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Re: 1/4" Fuel vapor lines
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2014 - 10:06:25 AM »
Yes I would tend to agree with you when you're talking about a three line set-up like on 71 six pack cars, but here we're talking about a 1972 two line set-up :2cents:

Good point Alan,
Sometimes focusing on the right year/model of the topic, I get confused myself.  :banghead:

Thanks for pointing that out.  :thumbsup:
1971 Cuda Vert 440-833 - (clone)
1971 Cuda 440-727 - (clone)


Because I like it fast!!!