Well, it seems I like to do everything twice..... I changed my mind on using the stock fuel lines. I am only going to use one of the stock lines as the vent line. I'm going to run new lines using push-loc hose and AN fittings.
I'm supposed to get all the pieces in tomorrow from mail order. I bought Russell 640850 (3/8" fuel rail to #6 AN) and Russell 640860 (5/16" fuel rail to #6 AN). Here's a picture:
I will use 2 of these these Earl's 991955 fittings to go on each end of a "OEM" frame rail type fuel filter. It was a cheap alternative and the filter will be an easy to find replacement item:
Here is the way I modified the stock TBI pickup from a 4.3L Monte Carlo:
The top line is the supply line. I used the stock 16MM fitting with an Earl's 9894DBJERL adapter to convert to #6 AN. The middle line is a return line. It was "necked" down to smaller than 5/16", so I removed that portion. I then went to a local industrial supply house and got some fittings. I added a 5/16" compression fitting to #6 AN conversion for the return line. The bottom line is the vent line. I will connect this to the stock 3/8" fuel line and run it to the engine's fuel vent line (I believe it is called the evaporator fitting on the intake). Of course, I have a high pressure fuel pump in the pickup unit.
I got a new fuel tank from O'Reilly's for a 1987 Monte Carlo with 4.3L TBI engine. It is baffled for EFI. It fits perfect with no modifications whatsoever. I've heard others say they had to tweak the filler neck, but mine fits fine:
More fuel system updates to come when I get the rest of my fuel line plumbing supplies tomorrow.
You may recall that I slightly damaged the AC/Heater box when installing the engine. I did that before I bought the VERY nice LS1 lift plate. Anyways, you can see if you look close, where it's been patched and repainted. I decided to just take the box apart and replace the heater core since I was there anyways. It turned out to be a bigger job than I expected, but I shouldn't have to worry about the heater core for a while. Sorry, these are crappy cell phone pictures:
I got the AC box all back together with the new heater core. Also you can see I've set the F-body exhaust manifold temporarily in place to verify everything clears. Works great:
Here's the diver's side. Notice that I removed, cleaned and painted the accessory brackets, valve covers, valley cover, and water pump with aluminum paint to clean things up a little. It was kinda' dingy, so I thought I would clean it up a little:
I re-used the truck transmission cooler lines. They fit pretty good actually. I did have to do some "tweaking", but it looks like they will work fine. I cut them off in front of the radiator, installed compression to AN fittings (to easily disconnect if necessary) and will short pieces of push loc hose to the radiator cooler connections. I need to get some new radiator fittings (got the wrong size), so I didn't get it plumbed tonight. Here you can see where I have the stock 3 row radiator temporarily installed to get the plumbing done:
Here you can see how the stock mechanical fan is fitting with the stock radiator and shroud mocked up. I believe the engine setback is causing the fan not to fit "up into" the shroud properly. I may have to do some modifications to the shroud to help improve cooling efficiency:
From the other side:
OK, that's it for now. Still have lots to do. So, we're going to keep plugging away.
Later,
I'm supposed to get all the pieces in tomorrow from mail order. I bought Russell 640850 (3/8" fuel rail to #6 AN) and Russell 640860 (5/16" fuel rail to #6 AN). Here's a picture:
I will use 2 of these these Earl's 991955 fittings to go on each end of a "OEM" frame rail type fuel filter. It was a cheap alternative and the filter will be an easy to find replacement item:
Here is the way I modified the stock TBI pickup from a 4.3L Monte Carlo:
The top line is the supply line. I used the stock 16MM fitting with an Earl's 9894DBJERL adapter to convert to #6 AN. The middle line is a return line. It was "necked" down to smaller than 5/16", so I removed that portion. I then went to a local industrial supply house and got some fittings. I added a 5/16" compression fitting to #6 AN conversion for the return line. The bottom line is the vent line. I will connect this to the stock 3/8" fuel line and run it to the engine's fuel vent line (I believe it is called the evaporator fitting on the intake). Of course, I have a high pressure fuel pump in the pickup unit.
I got a new fuel tank from O'Reilly's for a 1987 Monte Carlo with 4.3L TBI engine. It is baffled for EFI. It fits perfect with no modifications whatsoever. I've heard others say they had to tweak the filler neck, but mine fits fine:
More fuel system updates to come when I get the rest of my fuel line plumbing supplies tomorrow.
You may recall that I slightly damaged the AC/Heater box when installing the engine. I did that before I bought the VERY nice LS1 lift plate. Anyways, you can see if you look close, where it's been patched and repainted. I decided to just take the box apart and replace the heater core since I was there anyways. It turned out to be a bigger job than I expected, but I shouldn't have to worry about the heater core for a while. Sorry, these are crappy cell phone pictures:
I got the AC box all back together with the new heater core. Also you can see I've set the F-body exhaust manifold temporarily in place to verify everything clears. Works great:
Here's the diver's side. Notice that I removed, cleaned and painted the accessory brackets, valve covers, valley cover, and water pump with aluminum paint to clean things up a little. It was kinda' dingy, so I thought I would clean it up a little:
I re-used the truck transmission cooler lines. They fit pretty good actually. I did have to do some "tweaking", but it looks like they will work fine. I cut them off in front of the radiator, installed compression to AN fittings (to easily disconnect if necessary) and will short pieces of push loc hose to the radiator cooler connections. I need to get some new radiator fittings (got the wrong size), so I didn't get it plumbed tonight. Here you can see where I have the stock 3 row radiator temporarily installed to get the plumbing done:
Here you can see how the stock mechanical fan is fitting with the stock radiator and shroud mocked up. I believe the engine setback is causing the fan not to fit "up into" the shroud properly. I may have to do some modifications to the shroud to help improve cooling efficiency:
From the other side:
OK, that's it for now. Still have lots to do. So, we're going to keep plugging away.
Later,
I bought a "cheapie" strap wrench from Harbor Frieght to hold the water pump pulley so that I can get a wrench on the spacer nut and remove the fan. The strap broke! I've been soaking fan extension in WD40 the last few times I've been out working on it hoping that it will help it work loose so I can remove it and maybe extend the spacer.
