Front Fuel line?

[Lazzman]

I am trying to source the front fuel line for my 1998 sport with the V6 sohc motor, this is the line that has a quick connect metal end, on one end, that goes to the inline fuel filter and the other end goes to the engine.

My mechanic called a few local ford dealers and they told him that it was a discontinued part. He suggested I check around some local junk yards but I don't feel comfortable with a part that old.

I need to get my ride back on the road asap, can anyone give me advice or information on where I might be able to source this part?

Thanks

 

[bill06447]

NAPA has all the various parts that make up the fuel line if you want to attempt repairing your old one, and some of the larger ones will make you a complete new one with the old as a pattern. Call around.

Bill

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Suprised your mechanic is having any issues with it. 5/16" or 3/8" steel brake/fuel line (match the old size), flare tool, and new fittings if the old ones aren't reusable. Available at most any big name parts house. Pretty standard stuff to bend a line, flare and install. If you want to spend some extra coin can always go with the high pressure flexible TFE lines from Jegs or Summit, although they need special fittings. Either way should not be a big deal.

 

[Lazzman]

Yeah, I was surprised he wasn't willing to try and repair it, he is older maybe he is looking for the easy way out.

Does anyone know of an online source for used parts? I have been looking but have not found that many.

This is getting frustrating for a single dad who needs his car for work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[swshawaii]

http://www.car-part.com/

 

[Lazzman]

Wow, this is becoming a major mess...

No one wants to sell used fuel lines or take the risk of installing or making a make shift fuel line, not sure but they are not interested in taking the risk I guess.

Also when they salvage the vehicle they cut the fuel lines to make removing the engine faster. rofl

I spoke to three national salvage yards and they all told me no one wants to mess with used fuel lines.

My mechanic does not want to take responsibility for splicing or installing a make shift fuel line, I am dead in the water at this point

:roll:

 

[J_C]

^ Ask around, there are shops that will do it even though many don't like to.

 

[Lazzman]

I might have a shot at fixing this myself.

Does anyone know the inner diameter of the nylon fuel line for the 1998 explorer? This would help out a great deal.... I measured it at 1/4" just trying to make sure that is correct?

Also what type of crimping tool do I need to get.

Sorry to be a pain but I need to get this vehicle back on the road.

 

[bill06447]

Once again, NAPA has all the stuff you need including the tools. Call and ask. Your tag shows you in Mass I know there's NAPA aplenty there.

Bill

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

.......
Does anyone know the inner diameter of the nylon fuel line for the 1998 explorer? This would help out a great deal.... I measured it at 1/4" just trying to make sure that is correct?

Also what type of crimping tool do I need to get.

Sorry to be a pain but I need to get this vehicle back on the road.

I'm pretty sure the I.D. is 5/16". I know it's not 1/4"

If NAPA dosen't have what you need, you can either
splice in a section of metal line or use a length of
F.I. hose with F.I. clamps. Get SAE 30R9 rated hose,
and use the true F.I. clamps, not the screw type.
(Do NOT use the more common 30R7 hose.)

Secure the line so there's no chafing and route it
away from the exhaust.

 

[Lazzman]

I've don't like going to Napa because I find a lot of those counter people are not very helpful when it comes to doing things outside the box. U end up spending money on a bunch of stuff that won't work.

In a situation like this I need to come up with my own idea that I know will work.

I believe the line is 5/16" as all the repair kits and literature state that for is 5/16" fuel line, but when I look at the piece of Nylon I cut the quick connect from it looks quite a bit smaller than 5/16" and measured on my calipers at 1/4",
this is very puzzling as the fuel filter connectors are 5/16". I tried using a 5/16" brass barb connector between the lines but it was not even close to being the size of the original fuel line I was splicing to, way too big.

This is very confusing.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

This issue is getting overly complicated. Lines are fairly straight forward.

If a major section of the steel line is damaged, its best to replace the entire line rather than attempting to splice together pieces. Take off the old line. Cut and bend a new line to the shape of the old one, flare the end and re-use the old metal line fitting. One the end near the fuel filter, flare the end and fit with the old nylon hose (if it is usable) and double clamp. Otherwise get a new fitting and connect to the steel line.

5/16" steel line, can be bent by hand. (its a big roll, but they don't sell by the foot)
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...m-fixture/_/N-268f?itemIdentifier=602043_0_0_

Tube cutter (might be available as rental)
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-tubing-cutter/_/N-255s?itemIdentifier=532507

Flare tool (rental)
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...aring-tool/_/N-2658?itemIdentifier=69341_0_0_

Bending tool (rental) -- not required for this type of line, but makes neater bends
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-Tubing-bender/_/N-25fl?itemIdentifier=48587_0_0_

 

[Lazzman]

Thanks very much romeoville, I am going to give this a try

I think it should not be a problem.

I spoke to my mechanic and he told me that hose clamping metal to rubber is not a safe idea and should not be done.

With that being said I am curious, at the ford factory they crimped the rubber hose to the metal hose using a ferrol & crimper, is it that much better than a fuel injection hose clamp? If not do they sell the crimper tool and ferrols?

My plan was to get a few feet of AN4 cloth braid fuel line, carefully dremel off the old ferrol at the point where the nylon line meets the steel, double hose injector clamp it and run it back to the fuel filter. I was even going to put the black plastic covering over it.

I measured the original nylon fuel line and it measures 1/4", the quick connect is 5/16" at the front then tapers down to 1/4" where the nylon line is crimped on.

You would need to buy the 5/16" Dorman quick connect fitting and clamp it to a 3" piece of 5/16" rubber fuel injector line, at the other end use a 5/16" - 1/4" line connector that can be purchased at Jegs. You can then hose clamp the nylon line to the 1/4" connector end, its great because it is already flared. This would be almost exactly like it came stock.

Through my research I found that older triumph motor cycles use crimped ferrols and 1/4" cloth braided fuel line if anyone wants to try this. The parts are readily available on ebay UK.

With the original part being disontinued and salvage yards not stocking it. There are not many options besides the two detailed in this thread.

The idea sounds like it would work very well to me.

 

[bill06447]

Rubber to metal is not the same as metal to rubber. One is good, the other is not.

Bill

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Rubber to metal is not the same as metal to rubber. One is good, the other is not.

Bill

Agreed! You cannot put a metal line over a rubber hose.

However you can certainly slide a rubber hose over a flared metal line and clamp it with no issue. For extra security clean the area well and put a light coating of RTV on the metal line before assembling. Overlap at least 1-1/2 inches then double clamp. Place one immediately next to the flare [obviously on the side with the metal line underneath ] and one near the end of the overlapping hose.

 

[koda2000]

Agreed! You cannot put a metal line over a rubber hose.

However you can certainly slide a rubber hose over a flared metal line and clamp it with no issue. For extra security clean the area well and put a light coating of RTV on the metal line before assembling. Overlap at least 1-1/2 inches then double clamp. Place one immediately next to the flare [obviously on the side with the metal line underneath ] and one near the end of the overlapping hose.

i made this point earlier in this thread (and i believe the OP also mentioned having trouble doing it) it is nearly impossible to get high-pressure fuel line to stretch over a flare. if i was in this situation, i'd head to my local pull-a-part and take the piece of line i needed off a junker. there are plenty of SOHC Explorer's there. where i live they drain the fluids out of the cars, remove the tires and batteries, but they don't cut any fuel lines.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

How did this turn out?