351 w/ Holley Carb 4160 - fuel inlet leakage

Hey Steve

What made you think I was from Jawjaw, do I have a drawl in my posts?

Way to hot and not enough of that white stuff for me.

How about we meet in the mountains of North Carolina with a couple bottles of Mad Dog 20/20?

Likely too cold for me. Been to KBP Main in August, not cold then.   

Well I guess I will "recalibrate my eyes" now and have a beer here in Central FL.

Well, that's just too far for me to go and see the standard flare tube and fitting of course if there is beer involved then.................................

When did KENO move? I’d try him in NH.

You can also walk into most auto parts stores and look at their 3/8 brake line, which will likely be double flared.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/making-brake-pipes-flaring-tool-bender.4522/page-4

http://www.allmetalssupply.com/product/hydraulic-tube-flaring-tool-kit/

On a 3/8” line, it sure does. Better go look at your boat again and calibrate your eyes.

Yes it does

Gary S wrote: Float bowel

Well, Gary, I seem to be having trouble with my bowel these days too...

Ken, I bought one of those a few years ago and have not had it work out. I have not tried it on a 351 or 302. We originally bought it for a Chrysler with an AFB and it would not fit and I recently tried it on a FE Ford and due to the water jacket on the Wiend intake, it would not fit.   

Pete - (audible sigh). You're absolutely right, as I learn the basics of this fine engine I need someone a little more mechanically inclined to walk me through some of the finer details. I apologize in advance for the idiotic terms, descriptions, and questions; I understand that there is a TON of basics that I don't know. I appreciate the skepticism and advice to bring in help. That being said, I learn well by establishing my understanding of a system and having others poke holes in it and point out where I'm wrong. With this particular issue, I could not find any manual or descriptions of the fuel line and adapter fittings (SN owner's manual, 351 PCM manual, and the Holley 4160 manual: neither had a description of the fuel bowl, gasket, flare nut, and fuel line), so I resorted to the "Bolt A / Bolt B" description. I now know the proper terms and how the system is assembled.

Todd - You mention Quickfuel install instructions... I couldn't find any Quickfuel parts for the 351, could you link to some? The instructions as well would be nice. I also checked the owner's manual for the pre-start instructions, and all it said was "check the fuel system", but nothing on what to actually check. What I've gathered is: make sure there is no fuel in the sight tube, and no visible leaks. What else should I check?

Could someone give me some background on Skidim? I noticed all of the parts recommended for the fuel system do not have a brand; are they produced by Skidim? Can I trust that Skidim has quality products and if they say it fits my engine/boat that it will?

As for flare wrenches, I just ordered one from Amazon so I don't muck up the flare nut any more.

I'm also going to purchase a gasket and new fuel line since the flare nut on my current one is very mangled and I fear that much more tightening/loosening will strip it completely so I have no grip.

Thanks for the healthy skepticism! I'm here to learn and you guys certainly help.

--Chris N.

Chris,
Maybe it's time to ask for help from a friend who may be more mechanically inclined. I started worrying about the fix when you where referring to "bolt A and bolt B" and now with the Teflon tape it pretty much confirms that help would be a good thing. Honestly, a fuel leak is not something you want to back yard hack!!

BTW, regarding tightening the flare nut, Tim mentioned way back using a "true fuel line wrench" or more commonly called a flare nut wrench.

8122pbrainard wrote: Another NO TAPE ON THE FLARE NUT!!!!

Have you checked to see if your fire extinguisher is charged? Maybe you should get another one as well!!

KENO wrote: I think this might be the first time that Pete, Tim and I all agreed on something, I'm not sure

You do NOT want teflon tape on the flare fitting to adapter connection. The threads are not the sealing connection there, and adding tape will more likely cause a very large leak by preventing the flare from bottoming out. I would not add tape to the adapter to bowl connection either- the gasket there is sufficient.

cnelson0641 wrote: Hey guys I'm having some fuel leakage where the rigid metal fuel line (connecting the fuel pump to the carb) is leaking carb-side. Before I mention where it's leaking, --Chris N.

Ha Ha. You already did    

I totally concur with all of the above, especially TRB's wrenches. I too had a leak like yours because I couldn't get it tightened properly. Bought a set of Flare Nut Wrenches (i have one for each connection) and took care of the leak.

I like using the nylon gaskets too- Fuel inlet

Float bowel