63 -64 return fuel line help
- Thread starter bwell
- Start date
I'd like to know that too. I don't run one on mine, I have that port plugged on the glass filter.
From what I understand, the return line was to prevent vapor lock. Could be another reason but I'm not sure.
The return line, helped relieve some of the pressure, and make starting a HOT engine easier.
Not meaning to sound stupid, but what did the return line actually return and to where?? Was it vapor or liquid?? Back to the tank?? Where was it captured?? I guess I understand why they did it and I have heard about the return line before, but knew very little about it. Wasn't a return line in later years connected somehow to a charcoal filter, Carmine.
Got it. Thank you, Carmine.
The sending unit has the 2 fittings designed with the 3/8 feed line and the 5/16 return line on original cars equiped with the return line. Believe it's just on the 63 to 65 409 cars but I could be wrong like my wife says all the time! Ugh
I'm planning on adding such a return line, so luckily, I found this thread(and read it). I do have an assembly manual that actually shows the routing along the passenger side of the frame, but not in enough detail to show how it was mounted to the frame. I do know the fuel feed line was captured to the frame by clips that also held the brake line to the rear axle. So I'm curious how the factory captured all three lines along the frame. Does anyone have pictures they can share?
Many thanks! Paul also emailed me some pictures. I'm really enjoying the support here you guys
I have another question about fuel/brake lines: I just got mine delivered from ShowCars. Understandably, the longest lines were bent to fit them in the shipping box. What's the recommended method/technique for unbending them? Of course, I don't want to introduce kinks or unwanted bends or, worst case, break the new lines 
. Should I just use my hands? A tool? A clamp/vise with soft jaws to hold it/slowly unbend it?
. Should I just use my hands? A tool? A clamp/vise with soft jaws to hold it/slowly unbend it?
I would use my hands and work very slowly.
Thats how I did mine, it came with 2 pieces of tape wrapped around the line and a note to make it straight between the tapes, once I got fairly straight I put it on the corner of a flat work table and tapped it with a plastic mallet while rolling it to make it as straight as possible.
Cool, thanks @La Hot Rods and @427John !
63409impala
Well Known Member
This.
Researching a bit more, I found the reference pictures I was looking for, showing all three: fuel supply, fuel return, and brake lines, from (gasp) another forum:
www.chevytalk.org
These match what I find in the assembly manual for '63, but I find these particular drawings lacking sufficient detail. I think when I'm finished, I will post mine.
3/8" fuel line routing - Chevy Message Forum - Restoration and Repair Help
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www.chevytalk.org
These match what I find in the assembly manual for '63, but I find these particular drawings lacking sufficient detail. I think when I'm finished, I will post mine.
That pesky return line is one piece and about 10 miles long - there may be a way to replace it with the body still on the frame, but I sure couldn’t figure out how I could do it in my garage. I recall that I had to cut mine, and reattach it, in order to deal with it as it snaked between the body and frame on the rear passenger side.
@Hoyt99 , yeah, no kidding! I made the mistake of unbending it first in my excitement, then had to figure out how to store it in the garage before I got the opportunity to install it 
I had to hang it from the rafters.
But now it's installed. Here's a video where I give a short tour of my frame. Well, it's 15 minutes, but I'm long winded. Anyway, you'll see the part where I describe how I routed the return line:
. Like all of the reproduction lines I've bought, it needed some massaging after undoing the 'box bends'. I also referenced the link two entries above for guidance.
Those of you with the 1963 Assembly Manual can follow along. I did use the return line clips sourced from ShowCars.
Later, I will write an organized post with photos and close ups
I had to hang it from the rafters.But now it's installed. Here's a video where I give a short tour of my frame. Well, it's 15 minutes, but I'm long winded. Anyway, you'll see the part where I describe how I routed the return line:
Those of you with the 1963 Assembly Manual can follow along. I did use the return line clips sourced from ShowCars.
Later, I will write an organized post with photos and close ups