ERA FIA - How to plumb an EFI fuel return line?

[Doug Stewart]

The ERA FIA gas tank has very little space on all six sides in which to mount a return line fixture. Also, where to route a line (whether metal tubing or braided hose) from the engine to the fixture on the tank is a problem.
Have any of you accomplished it? How did you do it?

I'm going to find out soon if the tank is mounted in the chassis, or if the body is already bonded, on my FIA under construction (#2166). Meantime I would appreciate hearing others' experiences... Thanks, Doug

[eschaider]

Use a #8 AN bulkhead fitting or weldable bung.

[G_Edmonds]

I’m not too familiar with ERA’s but I have been involved in a few efi conversions. You could possibly return into the vent line and move vent to the filler neck. It’s maybe not ideal but but I haven’t had any trouble doing it this way.

[C5GTO]

There is a lot of good EFI return line and fuel tank venting information in this thread: Gas tank becoming pressurized???

It shows how the EFI return line was redone in my Classic Roadsters as the original approach of putting it in the tank vent had issues. The EFI return has worked fine since it was redone.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Doug Stewart

The ERA FIA gas tank has very little space on all six sides in which to mount a return line fixture. Also, where to route a line (whether metal tubing or braided hose) from the engine to the fixture on the tank is a problem.
Have any of you accomplished it? How did you do it?

I'm going to find out soon if the tank is mounted in the chassis, or if the body is already bonded, on my FIA under construction (#2166). Meantime I would appreciate hearing others' experiences... Thanks, Doug

You cannot use the spacer for the return line, as the internal gas cap (not the external one) is below the spacer and on top of the tank itself.

You want to add a return line, you need to do it before the tank is mounted in the chassis. You can either weld on a bung, or see if Bob or Peter can fab up a return line in the gas gauge sending unit mounted at the top of the tank.

Bill S.

[Doug Stewart]

I got sidetracked & couldn't follow my own post.
Bob P. is going to mount an extra fitting on the bottom of a tank that will go into my car (#2166 FIA).

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Doug Stewart

I got sidetracked & couldn't follow my own post.
Bob P. is going to mount an extra fitting on the bottom of a tank that will go into my car (#2166 FIA).

If you've been waiting 20 years to get this car, you should spare no expense. Bob and the boys can make anything you can think of. All you have to do is ask (and pay for it, of course).

[65snake]

I have #3035 slab side being built and B. Putnam is having a bung welded into the bottom side of my tank so the bung will be horizontal to the tank bottom ( horizontal and bottom side to stop foaming fuel) and at least one baffle removed from the fuel pick up so it can minimize the pick up of heated fuel. Also the return line after it's attachment to the bung will go directly up to near the tank top and back down creating somewhat of a loop that should help eliminate fuel pressure differences. If you have any doubts of foaming fuel look at UTUB Fuelab foaming fuel video. They also make variable pumps with digital regulators.

[Doug Stewart]

Thanks for the reply 65snake. I understand each model has their own access/space issues around the gas tank. I'm counting on ERA to provide the best option for my FIA.
Meantime thanks for the tip about fuel lab. I will check out their site

[65snake]

Good luck to you and keep us all posted.

[hauss]

I am no expert but can you tee off the tank one line going to pump the other going to the tank. Tank and pump straight inline and return coming in on the side. Hope this makes sense I was told the extra pressure would go back to the tank and the pump would just use what ever it needed.

[65snake]

Might work ok. Only problem I see is that the fuel coming back from the return is heated. Don't know much about heated fuel only what I have read. Seems to create problems like maybe vapor lock??? I'll keep all posted on what B. Putnam's final solution for the slab side is.

[strictlypersonl]

I just checked a Slabside chassis. There is a "groove" in the rear cross-member (right side) for the return line. I've had the welder put a fitting on the right side of the fuel tank which should match up nicely.

[65snake]

Thanks Bob
That sounds perfect.
Bill