Cleaning metal fuel lines

[steve91tt]

The metal fuel lines on the 240Z that I am working on (has not run since 1989) have quite a bit of brown goo in them. I blew them down from the engine compartment end and air will pass through the lines but blobs of brown tar came out at the tank end. I sprayed half a can of carb cleaner in the engine side of the lines and followed with more air but it's not working very well.

What is the most effective way of getting dried up gas out of the metal fuel lines?

[FastWoman]

Maybe put a bunch of carb cleaner or perhaps Chemtool B12 in a mostly empty tank, and run a cheap electric fuel pump, dumping the output via a hose back to the tank. Keep it running for a long while to wash the stuff out.

[Bonzi Lon]

I had the same problem, the spray wouldn't get to the back end. Finally hooked up an IV device, filled with lacquer thinner until it ran out the back then plugged the back line. Waited 15 minutes or so and blew it out, what a mess & stink, should of used a catch can. Did it once more, it was fairly clean. I did change the fuel filter after about 1K miles, it looked brownish. Clear & clean after 7K more miles.

Bonzi Lon

[ajmcforester]

You can even use fresh gas just let it soak and soften up. The other chemical are good ideas also, after you get them clean as you can use some non-detergent oil it will keep the resin you miss from sticking the the walls

[5thhorsemann]

The I.V. setup is what I have used with success several times, but here is my twist.

1) set up a 5 gallon can at the back of the car, and plumb a rubber hose as a return line into the can.

2) get your hands on a ford electric in tank fuel pump from a 1980's truck or crown vic, plumb that into the head of the fuel line and use a filter between it and the 5 gallon can. These pumps put out 35psi and over 5gpm free flow.

3) Add 5 gallons of KEROSENE and turn the system on. Let it run for 10 or 15 minuts.

4) Replace the filter and run a gallon or two of fresh kero through it, it will run clear.

The beauty of this is that you can filter the kerosene and dump it in a home heating oil tank, no waste to dispose of and all the gunk gets captured in the can and filters. Just make sure the clamps are on good and tight when you do your return lines. Also note that some of the ford pumps are self regulating so it may turn of and on while you are pumping. and strap the pump down to a board as they have alot of torque and will attempt an escape when you power up.

[steve91tt]

I like your method 5thhorsemann. I'm going to give it a try but use the car's electric fuel pump (RX7 pump). Thanks for the feedback guys!