VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 Chev fuel and vacuum lines

I am in the process of replacing the fuel line from the carb to the fuel pump, and vacuum line from the carb to the vacuum advance. My old lines are copper and were routed across the top of the valve cover. Wold someone tell me if copper is the correct material and describe the route they should take.

In 1940 the original lines were steel.I use the flared brake lines and cut the flated ends off and use the nut and sleeve as was original.

The lines ran straight forward from the advance and fuel pump.At the right front corner of the engine they went up and were bent to the left- passed just in front of the valve cover and a clip was bolted under one of the thermostat housing bolts to steady it.It went in front of the valve cover until it was was over to the left as far as the carb.-there it bent around towards the carb.-lining up with the fitting on the front of the carb.The vac. line then bent down a little and went over to its fitting on the right side of the carb.There are a few little clips that were used to clip the fuel and vac. lines together to make the more vibration free.I believe that they are available from the Chev. parts venders.(this is the route it takes on my '34-'39 and'50 so I would assume a 1940 is the same).

Thanks Chevgene,
Are both line suppose to be the same diameter? On mine the vacuum is 3/16" and the fuel 5/16".

Yes, They are two different sizes as your are

For the 1940 Chevrolet:
That the 2 lines, fuel and vacuum, which run
between the fuel pump and the carburetor, are
located just BELOW the water pump.

For the 1941 Chevrolet:
The fuel and vacuum lines are attached by a clip to a stovebolt that screws into the upper thermostat housing. Thereby running ABOVE the water pump.

Any thoughts ?

Thats why I said that I assume the lines were in the same location in 1940.A picture of a 1940 engine that I have shows the lines disappearing under the water pump.That must have been a one year experiment with them routed that way.Perhaps it heated the fuel line too much causing vapor lock and they changed to the higher original location in 1941.

I have made an error.In checking pictures of 1937-40 engines all seem to have the fuel and vac. lines crossing over BELOW the water pump.I can not recall my '39 lines being in that location-but they probably are.Will have to check soon :confused: :confused:

Thanks to all for the input, it really helped!!

BIGBOB

On Ebay there is now a 216 engine for sale that shows the fule & vac lines fairly good

Ebay # 2439103990

hope this helps

Regarding the vacuum line terminating at the vacuum advance; Is id supposed to be a flared end or a ferruled end?

Thanks,

Ferruled.......

Then I assume there should be an intermediate brass fitting installed into the advance to accept a ferruled fitting....My old vacuum line, not original, was flared, but the new one I ordered came ferruled.

You can buy 25 foot rolls of steel fuel line from McMaster Carr or Grainger which means you can replace the fuel line exactly like it was. Both have web sites. Actually you can buy just about anything you need for any type of repair and have it delivered to your house within a day or two. Best source for everything (including that foam material that is riveted to the fender engine vent panel on a '38)

McMaster

Brian

Thanxs, Brian
I actually have the fuel line solved. I ended up with a 1940 line, the one that goes under the water pump. My project now is the vacuum line. The one that was on the car was a piece of 3/16" copper tubing that went from the carb over the valve cover to the distributor. It worked, but was a far cry from being anything close to the original proper shape. Toolman is sending me a jpeg so I can see the proper route.

Thanks for the leads on the tubing.

Also many local Auto parts stores sell steel brake and fuel tubing in straight lengths with both flares and flare nuts in place and can be shaped as required with a tubing bender. If you desire the ferrel connections they also sell a variety of brass ferrels and ferrel nuts

Thanks MrMack,