Fuel Tank Detail

[Alan S.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Hello All,
My 71, # 6589, 350/270, 4-speed, 1 owner, had 4 Tower Clamps on the return line from the fuel pump to the fuel tank. I have the original hoses and clamps. You can see the 'imprint' of the clamp on the hose is from a tower clamp and not a spring clamp. I'll post the pictures if anyone is interested. It'll be tomorrow since I can't play anymore, it's time for supper.
Regards,
Alan

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Hello All,
My 71, # 6589, 350/270, 4-speed, 1 owner, had 4 Tower Clamps on the return line from the fuel pump to the fuel tank. I have the original hoses and clamps. You can see the 'imprint' of the clamp on the hose is from a tower clamp and not a spring clamp. I'll post the pictures if anyone is interested. It'll be tomorrow since I can't play anymore, it's time for supper.
Regards,
Alan

Alan-----


The return line is another matter. The hose clamps for that application DID change. The 1969 clamp, GM #9770783, was definitely a spring type clamp. However, very early in the 1970 model year this changed to GM #9419381. That clamp continued to be specified throughout the 1971-72 period. I can't find any information on the 9419381 clamp, but it could very well be a tower-type clamp. Was the 9419381 actually used for all of 1971 and 72? I don't know. Perhaps the folks at St. Louis found it to be a PIA compared to the spring-type clamp (which it seems they were still using on the 3/8" line), so they got approval to go back to the spring-type on the return line.

[Alan S.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Hello All,
Here are the pictures of the fuel RETURN line hose and clamps. There were 2 pieces of hose and 4 clamps. The 1st picture is the hose and clamp, notice how close the clamp is to the end of the hose. The 2nd picture is 2 clamps from the side, notice the little round 'button' on the inside of the clamp, at the bottom of the bolt, that leaves a tell-tale impression in the hose shown in picture 3. Picture 4 shows the texture and ribs on the SUPPLY hose from the sending unit to the fuel line.
As I said, these clamps are the first thing I look at on a 71 350/270. I always thought I didn't see them bacause they had been 'lost in action', but from Patrick's comments, perhaps they weren't always there.
Regards
Alan