Have a 81 Malibu wagon had a v6 going to a sbc. What to replace the fuel lines with new ones. Where can I get new correct ones? Would El Camino be the same?
V6 to v8 fuel lines
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My wagon had a blown up Buick V6 originally. Previous owner had the 350 SBC swapped in before I got it.
His remedy was to run about 3 foot of rubber fuel line from the driver's side frame rail, all the way around to the SBC fuel pump on the passenger side. To secure it, he had it zip-tied to the sway bar.
I've since cut that rubber down to about 3 inches and used it as a junction and hand bent my own steel line that is flared and fitted straight into the fuel pump.
His remedy was to run about 3 foot of rubber fuel line from the driver's side frame rail, all the way around to the SBC fuel pump on the passenger side. To secure it, he had it zip-tied to the sway bar.
I've since cut that rubber down to about 3 inches and used it as a junction and hand bent my own steel line that is flared and fitted straight into the fuel pump.
If your car had the Buick 3.8 (distributor in front), the fuel line will be on the driver's side. If you had the 229 chevy v6, it will be on the passenger side, like a normal SBC setup.
Elco fuel lines will work. I used an Elco brake line to the rear axle when mine rotted on the wagon, and it fit just fine. Back on my first wagon, I went from the 229 V6 to a V8 and all I had to do was to extend the rubber hose. Or you could insert a fuel filter and two coupling rubber pieces and join to short bent metal tube to the fuel pump. Lots of ways to do it.
Since you live in the salty North, I'd suggest if you do replace the line, go with the stainless. If your line is in good shape and you're pushing 3-400 HP or something, stick with what's there. Unless you do a lot of winter driving in the slush and snow. JMO.
That said, TURNA said to go bigger if you replace the line. I would tend to agree if 1) you are building a gas guzzling monster that needs the fuel or plan to in the future and 2) if you make the entire system lines larger. Just replacing the frame line to make it larger won't get the pickup in the tank larger, so you would likely want to increase the entire system's line size to get the extra fuel if needed.
That said, TURNA said to go bigger if you replace the line. I would tend to agree if 1) you are building a gas guzzling monster that needs the fuel or plan to in the future and 2) if you make the entire system lines larger. Just replacing the frame line to make it larger won't get the pickup in the tank larger, so you would likely want to increase the entire system's line size to get the extra fuel if needed.
I'm looking to just replace because it has been sitting for a while and I'll be removing the body to do bushings and brake lines thought I could do the fuel lines too.
You'll spend a little more for stainless lines, and they usually take a bit more torque to seat tight, but in the long run, I think it's worth the investment for the lines running under the car.
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