68 only fuel tanks

I pulled my tank today because while it sat it developed A pin hole and leaked about 10 gallons of 115 octane onto the garage floor (not while I was welding pans LOL). Anyway, being A 68 it only has one line coming out of the tank and its on top but I didn't realize it's A 5/16 line :confused: . It goes to the end of the pass side of the tank then is joined by A short rubber fuel line (maybe3 inches) then the rest of the fuel line is 3/8 up to the fuel pump on the block. I kinda figured the line would be 3/8 from the tank to the pump:confused: . The other thing is the tank had A ton of little lead like bb's in it, could they be part of the tank thats coming apart or maybe part of the sending unit?

Tommy:)

BB's? :confused:

Sounds like someboby introduced some foreign objects. :(

Nothing inside the tank would become dislodged and do that, to my knowledge.

The fuel line comes off the sending unit which is transfered to the new tank, right?

68 & 69 tanks are the same according to...
http://1962-79chevynovaparts.com/catalogPDFs/X2%2004%20fuel.pdf

e-bay has some good tank deals for 3RD Gens. :)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GAS-FUEL-TANK-68-69-70-71-72-73-74-Nova_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33556QQitemZ805200 2050QQrdZ1

68 & 69 tanks are the same according to...
http://1962-79chevynovaparts.com/cat...004%20fuel.pdf

My mistake, I thought I remembered the 69 Novas having the return line.

Tommy:)

I think you're correct on the 69' tank (w/the HiPo 350 or BB) applications and the return line, but even those w/the return line, tie into the sending unit I believe. ;)

The fuel line comes off the sending unit which is transfered to the new tank, right?


The line comes directly out of the top of the sending unit and makes A immediate bend to the pass side before being mated with A large 3/8 line.

Tommy:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/68sschevyII/68%20seats%20and%20doorpanels/seats/garage%20n%20stuff/Im000454.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/68sschevyII/68%20seats%20and%20doorpanels/seats/garage%20n%20stuff/Im000455.jpg

The wet area around the sending unit is Pb Blaster not A fuel leak. The tank has A pin hole underneath.

Tommy:)

I'm almost positive my 69 L78 is 3/8 from tank and it looks identical to what you have.GM still sells L78 sending unit part no. should be 6428845 the line and unit should be one unit.

Taz is correct..3/8 from the sender to the carb.

wilma:shh:

I pulled some fuel line clips from a 68 6cyl parts car. They were for a 5/16 inch fuel line. My 69 V-8 used 3/8 inch. You can get the sending unit repop with 3/8 line. The return line style is not reproduced. The GM part is no longer available. Earl

I pulled some fuel line clips from a 68 6cyl parts car. They were for a 5/16 inch fuel line. My 69 V-8 used 3/8 inch. You can get the sending unit repop with 3/8 line. The return line style is not reproduced. The GM part is no longer available. Earl
I am looking in the assembly manuel for a 69 and can not find the diagram that list the part numbers for the fuel lines, or showing where the return fuel line connects to. Does it come from the fuel pump, or carb?

Both of my 69's don't have return line one BB & one SB but are 3/8 lines in both cars.Pretty sure no 69 have return lines but I'm not 100%.

69 SS 350 has the Return Line.It is on my Wifes Car.They are avalible.It has a 3/8 Fuel Line and the Return Plumbs into the Fuel Filter.
My BB Cars 69 and 70 Have 3/8 with no Return.
Up to 72 SB Cars (SS) have the Return.
Joe

Taz,
Just Read your post and dont want to sound like I Disagree with you,Maybe some do and Some dont?Is the Sb a SS Car?
Joe

The 69' sending unit is avail w/the 3/8" line, along with fuel return lines as shown here...:)
http://1962-79chevynovaparts.com/catalogPDFs/X2%2004%20fuel.pdf
Used on the 350/4barrel and BB aplications.

The 4 banger up to the 2 barrel 350 used the 5/16" line and no return line.

Interesting, all my lines look very original and factory. I noticed the ground wire that attaches the sending unit to the bottom of the car had been cut and retaped (you can see the tape on the wire in the pic I posted)so I suppose it is possible the tank may have been replaced sometime... :confused:

Tommy:)

Taz,
Just Read your post and dont want to sound like I Disagree with you,Maybe some do and Some dont?Is the Sb a SS Car?
Joe
Joe I think your right some do and some don't w/SB

Both of my 69's don't have return line one BB & one SB but are 3/8 lines in both cars.Pretty sure no 69 have return lines but I'm not 100%.

My '69 SB SS car has the 1/4" return line(I think that is the size?)...So some '69's must have came with return lines:confused:

69NovaSS thanks for your post good to know about these little differences.I'm no Nova pro so feel free to disagree.The guys here are willing to help not just prove each other wrong so no hard feelings here.

Paul

69NovaSS thanks for your post good to know about these little differences.I'm no Nova pro so feel free to disagree.The guys here are willing to help not just prove each other wrong so no hard feelings here.

Paul

Hey Paul...I hope I didnt come across as a know it all as that is NOT the case...I'm not here to argue or prove that I know more then anyone cause that is not the case either(I know the next best thing to squat)...I'm here to learn and to share the little I do know...No hard feelings here and I hope I didnt create any:o

Duane

Are you kidding this is the greatest I love everthing that's offered by everyone.Never even crossed my mind that you might try showing me up.The guys here including you are AWSOME,there is no such thing as a dumb question here because I probally got a few to ask before I'm done and anyone with an answer offers just that.

THANKS Paul

Hey Paul...I hope I didnt come across as a know it all as that is NOT the caseSame feelings here. I only learned just last week about the dif's in fuel lines / sending units while discussing it w/another member. :)

I certainly don't have all the answers, just have maybe learned a few more than somebody just starting out and I'm willing to (and enjoy) sharing info ;)

I only learned just last week about the dif's in fuel lines / sending units while discussing it w/another member. :)


Ya me too:)

http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35406

Tommy,
Not trying to HiJack your Post but thought I would Post this here as someone wanted to know how the Return was ran.

Billsnogo,
This is how my 69 and 70 SB Cars were ran,and this is a Original Part.
Joe

OK cut it out I don't know any more than you guys and most of what I know is cause of you so it's your fault LOL!!!Like I posted before no one has ever made me any less than welcome here I'll listen to everything from anyone here.NPHNP best thing ever posted !!

Tommy,
Not trying to HiJack your Post but thought I would Post this here as someone wanted to know how the Return was ran.

Billsnogo,
This is how my 69 and 70 SB Cars were ran,and this is a Original Part.
Joe


Joe, that is really interesting...the return line runs off of the fuel filter...very interesting indeed:cool:

Does anyone know if those filters are still avialable?:confused:

Does anyone know if those filters still avialable?Yep! Page 4-4 (expensive little puppy's)...
http://1962-79chevynovaparts.com/catalogPDFs/X2%2004%20fuel.pdf

So with a return line like that your fuel pump would pump all the time instead of pumping intermitently as required as they would normally do?

For example the factory mechanical pump only pumps fuel when the needle is off the seat...when the needle is on the seat (float bowl full) the pump would not normally pump fuel....with a return line it would pump all the time I assume...is there an advantage to having it pump all the time? (more stable fuel pressure????)

69SS,
Those Filters are still avalible.
I doubt the system is any better with a Return.I read once that it was installed for High RPM'S?I use it for the Original Look on the SS SB Cars.
Joe

I think that Joe hit the nail on the head. EXCESS fuel (due to higher GPM flow, bigger lines, bigger pump) not being consumed by the carb, "re-circs" back to the tank. ;) At WOT on the higher HP engines, you'd need the fuel volume, but not at the lower speeds / RPM. Judging from the filter pic, that smaller line acts like a small restriction and I'll bet the filter it's self has some sort of bleed orifice inside. I'd love to dissect one and find out.

MT,
When I Recondition those Lines I am Replacing the Filter.If you want I can Send the Old one to you or Cut it open and send you Pictures.
Joe

Hacksaw that sucker down the middle later on Joe and let's see how she's designed, please. :)

Cool. Thanks for posting the pic of the filter, it is much easier for me when I get so visualize it. I thought it would come off the pump, not the filter. I take it alot of the return lines were just plugged when that type of filter was not offered anymore by auto-parts stores.

bill (loves learning something new everyday!)

Bill,
I believe there is a Fuel Pump with the Return in it.My guess would be that the Pump was not made that far back.
Those Lines were also Plugged when people seen the Price of the Filter.
Joe

hi, just thought id post some facts on how the nova came with the feul line set up in 69

1969 L78 = 3/8" single line with no return
1969 L34 & L35 = 3/8" & 1/4" main feed line and return
1969 L48 = 3/8" & 1/4" main feed line and return
1969 L65 and all other smaller engines = 5/16" single main feed line with no return

The filter canister above the timing cover was used only on the cars with the 1/4" return line only. and only the L34 & L35 got a bracket to hold it to the block. while the L48 did not have any bracket to hold it, it was held up by the hard fuel lines....

Just thought i'd clear this up....

Rule of thumb is all hydr.lifter cars had the return lines small and big block cars while the solid lifter cars had a single 3/8's fuel line.:yes: