Fuel Return Line?

[terrible one]

I know I'll sound like a dumbass, but . . .

I'm about to order my fuel lines from Fine Lines. I saw that it had the line from the sending unit to the fuel pump, but then they have a listing for "1/4 return line". What is this/where does it go?

[Ghoste]

It runs from the fuel vapor separator (between the pump and the carb) and back to the tank.  I'm not sure if your car would have had one though?

[terrible one]

Hmm I'm not sure either. I have a 383 and I've only heard of the fuel vapor seperator coming on the 440's and 426's. What exactly does it do even? It looks like right now I can buy the $70 return line and a $? fuel vapor seperator, or just plug the return on the sending unit and not buy anything? But do I need it? Hmmm

[Ghoste]

It can help with hot starts as far as fuel boiling in the lines.

[terrible one]

Oh okay, thanks Ghoste.


The sending unit I was looking at doesn't have a spot for a return line. Whew! Glad I did some homework first.

So can anyone else chime in? Obviously this affects the sending unit I get as well now. I'm seeing the vapor seperators (listed for 440/426) for $65. Eesh.


EDIT:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRT-M4589&N=700+4294908110+4294840053+4294888797+4294891547+115&autoview=sku

It's still in the box, but I believe this is the fuel pump I got. From the looks of it, it has a little nipple on it . . . would that be for a return back to the tank, thus eliminating the vapor seperator? That would make more sense for me with a 383.

[Ghoste]

Nope, thats a stock one.  Check the specs you'll see it lists single inlet and single outlet.

[terrible one]

EDIT: Nevermind, I get it. Hmmm

[Charger-Bodie]

68 did not have the return line, but you could add it,if you were so inclined.....It does help with vapor lock.

[terrible one]

Well in that case, I figure I'll just plug the spot on the sending unit and if I run into problems with vapor lock the seperator and return lines wouldn't be very hard to add, even with the rest of the car together. Thanks guys! 

[Silver R/T]

68 did not have the return line, but you could add it,if you were so inclined.....It does help with vapor lock.

Mine does. And here's vapor separator, least expensive price, everyone else sells them $60+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Hemi-440-426-Fuel-Filter-Vapor-Separator-YEAR-ONE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ42611QQihZ024QQitemZ370136994236QQtcZphoto

[terrible one]

68 did not have the return line, but you could add it,if you were so inclined.....It does help with vapor lock.

Mine does. And here's vapor separator, least expensive price, everyone else sells them $60+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Hemi-440-426-Fuel-Filter-Vapor-Separator-YEAR-ONE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ42611QQihZ024QQitemZ370136994236QQtcZphoto

Haha wow, thanks man! Funny that the Year One one is half the price of all the others! Still, I think for now I'll pass on them both until I think I need them.

[Chatt69chgr]

That's a real good price from Year One on that Vapor Separator.  I wish they had those when I ordered mine for $65.

[Charger-Bodie]

68 did not have the return line, but you could add it,if you were so inclined.....It does help with vapor lock.

Mine does. And here's vapor separator, least expensive price, everyone else sells them $60+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Hemi-440-426-Fuel-Filter-Vapor-Separator-YEAR-ONE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ42611QQihZ024QQitemZ370136994236QQtcZphoto

Hmm? That odd. Is is a really late car? Ive been wrong before ,but I really didn't think it was about this. I wasn't added later was it? oh well.

By the way that separator in the link is likely one of those earlier plastic ones, at that price.

[Silver R/T]

That's a real good price from Year One on that Vapor Separator.  I wish they had those when I ordered mine for $65.

I decided that there was no way I'd pay 65 bucks for one of those and after some research I found one on ebay. I'll install it later on when temps in garage will come back up from single digits.

[Silver R/T]

68 did not have the return line, but you could add it,if you were so inclined.....It does help with vapor lock.

Mine does. And here's vapor separator, least expensive price, everyone else sells them $60+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Hemi-440-426-Fuel-Filter-Vapor-Separator-YEAR-ONE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ42611QQihZ024QQitemZ370136994236QQtcZphoto

Hmm? That odd. Is is a really late car? Ive been wrong before ,but I really didn't think it was about this. I wasn't added later was it? oh well.

By the way that separator in the link is likely one of those earlier plastic ones, at that price.

There's line that goes along side of the fill tube to the tank. Ive got fender tag ready so I can post pic or numbers. It came from factory that way as I can tell.
Btw I got that same separator from Y/O and it's quality part as far as I can tell, it's all metal like original.

[BrianShaughnessy]

You can use the 70'sup mopar fuel filter in place of the vapor separator.   I'd recommend it actually.    Cuts down on all that nasty vapor lock and stuff.

http://napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=FIL&PartNumber=3054&Description=Fuel+Filter+(Gold

[Silver R/T]

does it have a baffle inside of it like original one does?

[maxwellwedge]

Be careful with the vapor sep. guys - I got 3 at once and they were all NFG. The clowns in the orient made the tubes backwards. It would idle ok but give it some throttle and you got the running out of gas sensation. Pain in the ass to change once installed with the proper clamps etc.
Refer to the above illustration - you can check it buy running a wire with a small hook at the end to see if the tubes (internally) are at the right depth. A one minue test will save you an hour later! 

I believe 440 HP's got the V.S. in '68

[john108]

My early '68 R/T has a vapor separator.  All original.

[Charger-Bodie]

Yeah , I did some more research (IE Service manual known 68 R/t s)They did have the return line.......Learn something new everyday.

[jerry]

as said above the clamps used at the factory are for a one time use. same as vent line clamps on fuel tank. i use spring clamps on fuel lines with no problems. the others go straight to the garbage along with the special tool that is needed to install them.been there done that.

[Steve P.]

Before my old computer took it's last drive around the WWW, I had a link to VegasMike's fuel problems. We went round and round for weeks. In the end he added a return line to his charger and it solved the problem.

There are many things to consider here.  Under car and hood heat. Output of power. Type of fuel pump. Today's lousy fuel. Sea level on up to where you are. ETC, ETC.   

Long story short, if I were putting a car together today, (and I am), I would install a return line regardless of "IF" I will need it. Put simply, if you have it and don't need it who cares. If you don't have it and need it you may try a million things before settling on a return line. If it goes in with the build it will be painted with the rest or at least all your line clamps will be right.

Above all, many electric pumps have a built in by-pass. This is so that you don't burn up that expensive pump.   Before Mike added the return line he burned up 3 expensive pumps that supposedly DID NOT need a return line. I called the manufacturers myself. One of them told me point blank to add a return line.

Also if you are moving the fuel all the time it has much less time to sit in one place and get hot. Be it from exhaust or under hood temps or the road. 

Ask VegasMike it he will be putting a return line on the car he's building now.......................   


Most can get by with a 1/4 inch return. I prefer a larger return line than input line. It just makes sense that your "PRESSURE" line is smaller than your NON_PRESSURE line. Like your A/C systems or at your local fill-up station.

Just my .02