Fuel leak

[Rob Goblin]

I have been out of town for a few weeks and decided to fire up the 84 yesterday. I popped the hood and checked the oil. Then I went to the cab to fire it up. It took several pumps of the pedal and a few cranks, but the truck fired up. I sat in the cab for a few minutes before hopping out to do a walk around whilst the engine was running. As soon as I walked to the front of the car, I saw fuel shooting out from the passenger side up by the carb. I immediately shut of the truck and did an inspection. I believe it is coming from the fuel line by the filter. I took several pics but didn’t want to start it up because I was afraid it would catch fire. I plan on replacing the fuel line and filter and starting it again this weekend. Please look at the pics and tell me if you believe my assumption is correct. Also, there is a wire that is just lying on the intake spliced from the harness. Any idea as to what it is?

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[Dmack]

Just a guess, but that is generally where an electric choke would be on a carb. So the wire could have been from a prior carb with an electric choke.

On the leak, hard to tell, but makes sense and a fuel line is easy to replace. May want to look for a steel replacement for peace of mind .

 

[legopnuematic]

I would personally ditch that glass fuel filter. I've seen too many of them leak and enough of them being a source of an engine fire. Either an all metal casing or one that threads into the carb inlet would be my choice. Or a clear plastic one works well too.

Something like this

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or this

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Also I would try to steel line as much as possible as opposed to rubber. That's just me though.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I agree with dmack. Test it for 12v with key on.

The leak is probably split rubber line. That amount of rubber line isn’t too bad. If anything, replace it with ethanol resistant stuff and a new filter. Don’t overtighten the hose clamps. It’ll make the rubber split sooner.

 

[C10MixMaster]

I would switch to a metal fuel filter, if the glass one cracks you can end up with a fire. Best guess on the wire is a hot wire for the electric choke. And if your running a pcv valve on the other valve cover then your sucking dirt through the engine because your missing the filter on this valve cover

 

[Rob Goblin]

And if your running a pcv valve on the other valve cover then your sucking dirt through the engine because your missing the filter on this valve cover

No pcv at all. Those valve covers are circle track valve covers. I didn’t put them on. The truck came that way when I got it last month. I’ve already picked up a different set of valve covers and plan to replace soon.

 

[75gmck25]

Those small glass filters come in three pieces so that you can screw different size fuel fittings on the end - and they are cheaply made junk. They leak where the fittings screw in because its hard to get the plastic fitting screwed in tight enough without deforming it.

Just go to the parts store and look for a metal filter with 3/8" fittings in the area where they sell fuel filters and parts. GM never installed a filter in that line (the filter is in the Quadrajet fitting), so the parts guy may not find a specific replacement, but generic 3/8" will work fine.

Bruce

 

[ali_c20]

Ditch the glass filter it's crap. I had one and the threads of the 3 part design were stripped and leaked. I'm glad I recognized the leak before the engine/headers got hot. I only use metal or plastic filters since then.

 

[Rob Goblin]

It was the filter/line. Replaced both and everything seems to be fine.