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View Full Version : Plastic fuel line + hot exhaust = bad (now w/pics)


LTDScott
10-24-2005, 03:05 PM
I finally got the dual exhaust done on my LTD. Looks and sounds great (it's surprisingly quieter than my previous exhaust... until I get on the gas). I'll have pics soon.

Anyway, when I went to pick up the car, the exhaust guy said that the fuel lines are close to the exhaust and were melting. In fact one had a hole melted into it and was leaking :(

When I got it home, sure enough he was right. I ran the fuel lines along the framerail and up into the trunk area on the passenger side. The tailpipes get close and have melted part of the lines. I didn't get to enjoy my new mods. So a lot of the info in my thread for the fuel pump conversion thread no longer applies if you are going to dual exhaust.

After several hours spent laying on rocks under Fox cars in the junkyard, I found that the best solution is to get the hard metal fuel lines (pressure and return) from a Lincoln Mark VII. They go from the fuel filter on the front of the pass side torque-box under a brace then to the driveshaft tunnel, then along the hump and up and over the axle. They terminate right next to the pump outlet. I had to drop the driveshaft and wrestle the lines a bit to get them in, but they'll work great. I got some sheetmetal screws and the factory line "retainers" from the Lincoln lines and bolted the lines directly onto the driveshaft tunnel. I'll also have to reroute the vapor line for the evap system, but I should be able to use normal vacuum hose for that.

I didn't get finished but will post pics as I get done.

Chuck W
10-24-2005, 03:20 PM
That sucks.
That's also why my Tbird has hardline and braided-stainless fuel lines.

I've had a couple bad incidents with the plastic lines..so I don't like to leave them on a car if I'm redoing it anyway.

Good to know on the Mk7 stuff though.

LTDScott
10-24-2005, 03:37 PM
I'll still be using the plastic lines from the tank to the hard lines, and then the hardlines to the front of the car. Just not anywhere near the exhaust.

Marz
10-25-2005, 02:18 AM
Good to know that MKVII lines will work!

LTDScott
10-29-2005, 10:48 PM
Ok all done. Worked out well. Getting the hard line mounted was the hardest part. The rest was a matter of getting a whole bunch of 5/16" fuel line and double clamps hooked up the the factory fuel line ends. I could have replaced all fuel lines with aftermarket stuff, but I wanted to retain the factory connectors.

Anyway, here are some pics. At the back near the pump:

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3485.sized.jpg

The Lincoln hard line above the rear axle:

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3486.sized.jpg

Along the driveshaft tunnel.

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3488.sized.jpg

Making the turn to the passenger's side, where it goes through a little hole and exits at the front of the torque box:

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3489.sized.jpg

The filter setup and lines on the front of the torque box:

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3496.sized.jpg

The exhaust:

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3480.sized.jpg
http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3497.sized.jpg
http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/exhaust/DSCN3498.sized.jpg

All of the donor fuel bits were from a Lincoln Mark VII. I need to get the driver's side tailpipe adjusted because it sits a little too far in, but overall I'm happy.

More pics here: http://www.ltdlx.org/gallery/exhaust