E fuel and the stock fuel line questions

[zilla68]

i'm in the middle of my stock tear out and strictly efuel install.

It has a nice fitting that fits on the stock return line, so I'd love to use it, but what suggestions about when I get back to the fuel transfer switch where there are 2 lines going in and out of it.
Should I just cut the fuel line, and run a hose back to the tank?

I'm sure the return line doesn't have a ton of pressure so I doubt it will hurt anything, I'd just like to have something that doesn't look all hacked up under there.

Any suggestions?
or should I just rip all the lines out and run hose all the way back?
I got the fuel line out tonite back to the transfer switch and left the return

 

[pullandpray]

Don't mess with anything from the tank to the switch. Just cut the line between the motor and the selector valve. My irate I just ran a hose from the e pump to my reg return then tied right to the fuel return ontop of the motor.

 

[pullandpray]

If I remember correctly the selector valve also routes fuel back to the selected tank. So if your pulling off the front it doesn't pump to the rear and overfill it. Thats why you don't want to just run a hose to the tank

 

[m j]

are you going to run two tanks?
you shouldnt have to hack anything, you can adapt the quick connects

 

[zilla68]

NO I'm running one large rear tank, sorry I left that out.

5/8 tube

 

[psduser1]

If your only running one tank, why would you leave the selector valve in the system?

 

[gnxtc2]

If you're running a single tank with a 5/8" pick up tube, I would run -10 (5/8") hose pre-filters/pump then a -8 (1/2") hose from the filters/pump up to the engine. Then split the -8 line to two -6 lines to feed the heads. You can try a -6 hose as a return but it might be a restriction. To be on the same side for the return, go with a -8.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[zilla68]

the strictly kit came with everything I need, and it says to tie into the return line, but it doesn't address the selector valve.

How do you know if the return line is not large enough, what happens when its too small?

 

[zilla68]

If your only running one tank, why would you leave the selector valve in the system?

the only reason to leave it is to complete the circuit for the return line I guess, but I might just rip the whole damn line system out and do my own lines.

I was just curious how to connect the return line pre and post selector valve, can it just be cut and spliced a new line in to tie them together?
and how do you know if the return line is large enough?
what if its too small

 

[Magnum PD]

You could use the 3/8" line for your return. Just splice the the lines together at valve.

 

[m j]

are you building the system completely or trying to bandaid it for a short time?
gnxtc2's post is where you want to end up for longest pump life (a 4 corner feed system would be ideal for the pump longevity)

 

[zilla68]

mj and others thanks for the replies.

I bought the strictly diesel obs race set up, it has everything I need (I believe) so I'm not piecing anything together.
I'm just at the point where I have finished the intake installs, fuel rail plugs, hpop, etc and most everything up top, and headed underneath to start on that part.
I have no need for the selector valve at all, so I'd like to pull it all, I just am not sure if the oem return line is sufficient and how to connect the where it goes into and out of the selector valve.

here is what I have
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/p-3429-driven-diesel-obs-race-fuel-system-with-fuelab-pump.aspx

 

[psduser1]

I've put 75k miles on a duel sd system, with zero problems. It's not a fuellab, but I'd have to guess it's not terribly far off in volume.
Point is, my return is the stock 5/16 line. As long as the pressure in the return line is less than the designed restriction, i.e., the regulator, you will have no problem. Look at the ports on the regulator, measure them, and then measure the id of the 5/16 line.
Remember, the return is the same size all the way into the tank, and open-ended.

 

[m j]

remove the selector entirely
best case scenario you would run -08 back to the tank and it would have a 1/2" stainless straw down to the bottom of the tank for zero restriction

the factory hardline IIRC is 5/16 with 3/8 fittings to distinguish it from the 5/16 return
when I was jamming mine together I cut the hardline and flared it for a section of braided -06 line with JIC/AN fittings

after looking at the tiny orifice in the reg that all the return fuel has to pass through I dont think the return line needs to be anywhere near as large as we suggest
but it makes good plumbing sense to have it very close to the same size as the delivery line

 

[psduser1]

the only reason to leave it is to complete the circuit for the return line I guess, but I might just rip the whole damn line system out and do my own lines.

I was just curious how to connect the return line pre and post selector valve, can it just be cut and spliced a new line in to tie them together?
and how do you know if the return line is large enough?
what if its too small

Take the valve out, get two ss compression fittings, and a section of 5/16 line, and install. Take out all the other tank lines and the valve, and put them in the nearest dumpster. Clean, simple, and a bunch less clutter.


Or make a whole new line, to get the exact same results, hust more work and time.

 

[zilla68]

well I just said eff it and ripped the whole damn line and selector set up out, lol.

I got the sending unit drilled out and got the 5/8 set up set up in it.

now I need to get more 3/8 line to run back to the tank for the return line I guess

 

[psduser1]

well I just said eff it and ripped the whole damn line and selector set up out, lol.

I got the sending unit drilled out and got the 5/8 set up set up in it.

now I need to get more 3/8 line to run back to the tank for the return line I guess

That will work.

 

[zilla68]

but I figured out I can just use the fitting strictly sent me to tap onto the stock return line at the sender so it will be 3/8 all the way to the sending unit, then to 5/16 into the tank.
should be plenty I'd think

 

[Strictly Diesel]

Sorry, just saw this.

The adapter goes on the metal return line on the frame near the steering shaft. This allows the stock return line to be used from there back to the selector valve.

Then, remove the selector valve and use the supplied 5/16" hose and clamps to connect the metal return tube near the selector valve to the return tube on top of the tank. I thought this was clear in the instructions, I will have to go check them again.

Hope that helps!


Fat fingered on my iPad...not responsible for typos!

 

[zilla68]

Sorry, just saw this.

The adapter goes on the metal return line on the frame near the steering shaft. This allows the stock return line to be used from there back to the selector valve.

Then, remove the selector valve and use the supplied 5/16" hose and clamps to connect the metal return tube near the selector valve to the return tube on top of the tank. I thought this was clear in the instructions, I will have to go check them again.

Hope that helps!


Fat fingered on my iPad...not responsible for typos!

dennis, I got 0 instructions for the fuel pump set up, just for the top of the engine parts.
I didn't want to piece the 2 together, so I just ordered 30" of 3/8 hose and a few other things just a few minutes ago, I'll just run hose all the way back to the fitting.
I had no 5/16 hose, just 3/8 in the kit and 5/8 I think it was.