Fuel Filter is Stuck - Rusty

[Antbankstwo3]

I've been working on this for a week now. The fittings won't budge. I've PB blasted it several times. Let it sit for hours & even over night. Tapped it with a hammer to try & break up some of the rust & grime. Still won't budge. The filter is pretty rusty at the fittings & the fuel line itself near the filter is as well. Honestly, I don't think that fuel filter has been replaced a long time. It's originally an east coast car so that's why the rust. Sucks! Trying not to destroy it so at least I can drive it if I can't fix it myself.

Any suggestions would be a great help. Thanks in advance!

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Cut it back to good line, flare it, add either more hard line or use AN fittings and hose.

 

[Antbankstwo3]

Cut it back to good line, flare it, add either more hard line or use AN fittings and hose.

Sounds good! The only thing is the line goes back a ways before it's gets good. At least to my eye.

 

[Pronto]

It's a good bet that if the lines are that crappy at some point soon a leak is going to appear. Znix recently lost the head gaskets from what he believed was a leaking line that caused him to go lean. You might consider replacing both lines with reproduction ones or going to Teflon if you plan on needing a lot of fuel like E85, etc.

 

[Antbankstwo3]

It's a good bet that if the lines are that crappy at some point soon a leak is going to appear. Znix recently lost the head gaskets from what he believed was a leaking line that caused him to go lean. You might consider replacing both lines with reproduction ones or going to Teflon if you plan on needing a lot of fuel like E85, etc.

Thanks! I just looked into all new lines. Didn't want to do it. But just might have too. Is it a pretty straight forward procedure to replace the lines. Seems as if it would be too bad of a job.

 

[John Larkin]

If you can be gentle and go slowly, you may be able to hacksaw a slit in the fuel filter fitting to relieve it from the line fitting on an angle across the fitting. Slow sawing should not cause any sparks. You have to decide if you want to do it though. You should coat it in axle grease to reduce the chance. I've never seen a spark from a hacksaw but a dremel or die grinder would spark for sure.

The only other idea is to use a pipe wrench on the fuel line fitting. Pipe wrenches get tighter as you turn them which is kind of what you want here considering you're pretty well down to last resorts.

 

[Antbankstwo3]

If you can be gentle and go slowly, you may be able to hacksaw a slit in the fuel filter fitting to relieve it from the line fitting on an angle across the fitting. Slow sawing should not cause any sparks. You have to decide if you want to do it though. You should coat it in axle grease to reduce the chance. I've never seen a spark from a hacksaw but a dremel or die grinder would spark for sure.

The only other idea is to use a pipe wrench on the fuel line fitting. Pipe wrenches get tighter as you turn them which is kind of what you want here considering you're pretty well down to last resorts.

Hi John! Yeah, I used pipe wrenches. It's pretty seized up. I don't mind trying saw it, but I might just have to bite down & but all new lines. Smh... But I still might give that a go.

 

[davelostmissing]

I started exactly at this point where you are now. (a few years ago)
Your brake lines are shot too-ask me how I know
Do them all - the sets make it easy.

 

[Antbankstwo3]

I started exactly at this point where you are now. (a few years ago)
Your brake lines are shot too-ask me how I know
Do them all - the sets make it easy.

Lol! Yeah, the rear ones r lookin kinda grim. Did u buy new fuel lines as well?

 

[davelostmissing]

I stupidly patched and patched the fuel lines and on the end of the first test drive a brake line blew out.
Learned my lesson at that point and bought a set.

 

[Antbankstwo3]

I stupidly patched and patched the fuel lines and on the end of the first test drive a brake line blew out.
Learned my lesson at that point and bought a set.

Dang! Ok. I'm gonna look into it. U go thru Kirban?

 

[novaderrik]

you could get all the fittings, lines, and a filter to change over to the plastic fuel lines that GM has been using for 20+ years for about $50 or so. Dorman makes the adapters to hook up to the regulator and sending unit, so you won't have any rigged together fittings and a filter change is just a squeeze and a pull to get each line off..
you can find all the part numbers at www.dormanproducts.com and you can buy the stuff at any parts store in the country.

 

[Antbankstwo3]

you could get all the fittings, lines, and a filter to change over to the plastic fuel lines that GM has been using for 20+ years for about $50 or so. Dorman makes the adapters to hook up to the regulator and sending unit, so you won't have any rigged together fittings and a filter change is just a squeeze and a pull to get each line off..
you can find all the part numbers at www.dormanproducts.com and you can buy the stuff at any parts store in the country.

Oh that's a thought as well. Could save a bit too. Luckily, I can still drive it so I got some time to decide. But it def needs to be addressed.