help on 427 FE 8V fuel line

[d_ford]

I haven't posted since I sold my ERA but I have a question I know you FE experts can help me with. I have a 427 tunnel port 8V in my 68 mustang fastback that came out of my first ERA cobra that had a valve failure. I rebuilt it and put it in my mustang and I wanted to use the correct fuel line from the pump to the fuel log so I ordered the two piece line that uses the filter housing and bracket that mount to the head but it was way too short to reach the log. I called the people who sold me the line and they said based on what I was telling them I had a fuel log from a single carbureted engine with primary and secondary feeds to the carb. I ordered an original 8V fuel log and when I mocked it up, it appears that the oil fill tube is going to be in the way where the line meets the log. I can't do away with the oil fill tube so what do I do? I could go back to the original wrong set up but it's ugly and just doesn't look right. Any ideas? I'd appreciate any insight you guys have. Thanks.
Doug

[FWB]

as i recall the 65 and newer motors didn't have the oil tube. in 1968 the oil fill
was in the valve cover. however the oil fill tube is handy. "the correct line"
as you state doesnt exist, tunnel ports never came in a mustang. use what works and forget the rest

[d_ford]

I wasn't attempting to make it correct for the car, I know that tunnel ports weren't offered in mustangs, I was trying to make it correct for the engine. My chrome pentroof valve covers don't have any openings for a PCV or an oil cap and I hate to have to change them, plus as you said, the oil fill tube is handy and looks "correct" to me on a 427. The fuel line I removed was a conglomeration of rubber hose and hand bent tubing so I don't want to go back to that. I guess I was just trying to find out if anyone has an FE with 2X4 induction and an oil filler tube and find out what worked for them. Thank you for the reply, I'll figure out something that works.

[elric]

Try Dearborn steel tubing.

[RICK LAKE]

d_ford Doug have you tryed the FE forum. I am sure the John V, or Royce who both have over 40+year of FE knowledge could fix you up or point you in the right direction for the parts for a proper repair. Rick L.

[DougD]

I'm not familiar with the bolt locations on the tunnel port heads/intake. Are they in the same locations as a regular FE?
If you have the 8V fuel log for the non-tunnel-port engines, a pre-made line is available at Right Stuff Detailing and also from Dearborn Steel Tubing. The line has a 45-degree fitting as it goes into the log, so it should clear the oil filler tube. The line exits the fuel filter on the head, winds around the front of the distributor, takes a couple of jogs to miss the water temp sender and, presumably, the oil filler tube, and then to the 45-degree fitting which threads into the front of the log.
I had problems locating a fuel line for my single 4V (but dual feed) log. I ended up using the 8V line as a template and just bent my own with a tubing bender I borrowed from a mechanic friend. Cost about $10 and fits perfectly, also looks stock.
If you're internet parts catalog searching, try a line kit for a Galaxie or Fairlane with 2 4bbl carbs or 3 2bbl carbs.

[d_ford]

That's what this line and log are supposed to be. That's why I can't understand the interference problem. Maybe the mounting tabs on the log are bent or something. It's close to clearing, but it does hit the oil tube and when I install the 45 degree fitting it will be even worse. I may try tweaking it a little to see if I can get it to clear and if that doesn't do it I'll try the FE forum. Thanks everyone.

[FWB]

i have two dual 4 setups one in a car with repro fuel log and another original and both have a 90 deg fitting at the front which angles the line infront of the oil tube. this causes the line to run from the mech fuel pump along the bottom of the oilpan rib and then snakes up the left side of the front engine cover and pops out to the right of the thermostat(perspective from front of car looking into compartment) a tight fit to say the least. on my running setup i have relocated the factory line as to not super heat my fuel it will perculate out the
venturi's when the car is shut off. the steel line acts like a heat sink and absorbs all the engine heat.note the fuel log mount at the rear of the engine
must start on the second intake bolt from the back

[FFR428]

Timely subject. I'm building it's evil twin except mines in a 68 Cougar S code. Looking at my TP 2x4 intake and another LR 2x4 intake the intake bolt holes are higher on the tunnelport. On the lowriser the intake bolts are lower into the manifold by a good 1" or so. I'm glad you brought this up as I'll be in the same boat. I'm buying the fuel log, linkage and fuel lines from Dearborn S&T. Is there anyway to shorten the mounting tabs on the fuel log itself and redrill the bolt holes? Would that look like it might work?? All my stuff is on order so I really have nothing to go by. My intake has the oil fill tube and I'm using closed pentroof covers as well. And the same head mounted gas filter canister too. The parts I ordered were paticular to the tunnelport. Or so they say but it'll be interesting to see if it all fits. Frank Bowers on FordFE.com is the guy to ask about tunnelports. He's helped me quite a bit with parts advice. Really nice guy!! And I don't think anyone has built more tunnelports that him. But do let me know if you think by making the mounting tabs shorter if that would help. I'm just kinda a sitting duck here right now. 68 Fastback with a tunnelport!!! Very cool ride!!! Please update your progress and I'll do the same.

G.

[DMXF]

Doug (d_ford), I have a couple of different spare fuel lines, one of which should cover this. Drop me an email at dcmgt@snet.net.

[DougD]

I'll bet it has to do with the differences between the Tunnel Port heads/intake and standard FE. If the bolts are spaced/located differently, your log would not be oriented correctly, and the mismatch would occur.
After rereading your post, it would seem that your issue is with the fore/aft location of the log?
If you could post pics, it may shed some additional light as well.

[d_ford]

That seems to be where the problem lies. The new correct 2X4V log I bought hits the oil tube when I try to bolt it to the inake. I'm going to attempt to use my original 1X4V fuel log that's already on the engine and re-bend a tube from the filter to the log. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Thanks everyone.

[d_ford]

I ended up using the single 4 fuel log that was on the engine and using the new line from the pump to the filter, then I bent a line to fit from the filter to the log. I took a few pics so you can see where the "correct" 2X4 log hit on the oil fill tube, I assume from the tunnel port intake bolt configuration.


This next pic shows the final installation using my home bent line to the shorter fuel log. Not correct, but it works.


Hope this helps someone else who finds themselves in a similar predicament.

[FFR428]

Yes those help quite a bit thanks!! Looks like a good workable solution. I remember seeing pics of your car on one of the Mustang forums. I remember the super snake stripes. Nice car. Thanks for the pics.

[d_ford]

You're welcome. Good luck on your cougar project.

[Bubbas]

I'm sure you figured it out by now. But I had the same issue. It was solved when I ran a thread chaser into the fuel log so that the 45 degree fitting would nearly bottom out. There was then good clearance between the oil filler pipe and the fuel line.