I filled up my car today and noticed some leaking from the front end. I found that a small diameter metal tube that parallels the main fuel line (I assume it is the vent line that originally went to the carbon canister) was open at the end and leaking fuel. I've stoped the end with some rubber tubing and a screw, but wanted to know if this was an OK fix. I'm using a 4 barrel carb set-up on an L28 engine in a '73 240z, so all of the emissions equipment has been removed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

What car is that? I thought the carby engines didn't have a carbon cannister.

the parallel line could be a return line.

Nope, the 73 wouldn't have had the carbon canister. The line is the return fuel line, that was used with the stock carbs.

Originally posted by 2ManyZs

Nope, the 73 wouldn't have had the carbon canister. The line is the return fuel line, that was used with the stock carbs.

73 240Z's originally sold in CA did have a Carbon Canister.(at least the one I owned did. It was mfg'd in 3/73)

In that case, it would have 2 smaller hard lines running along the fuel line......

Originally posted by 2ManyZs

In that case, it would have 2 smaller hard lines running along the fuel line......

Yes, I believe you're correct on that.

The car was originally titled in Winder, GA, so I think this is a return line. How about my original question -- is it OK to simply block off the line? If not, what should I do with it.

Thanks.

If you block off the return line, something could rupture and spew fuel, or the pump(s) could get damaged.

The return line is so the extra fuel/pressure can bleed off back to the fuel tank.

With SU's you'd want the fuel return line hooked up so (as TomoHawk says) the extra fuel/pressure can bleed off back to the fuel tank.

"I" don't know enough about 4 barrel carbs to advise on your set up.

I believe the key here is that the PO replaced the mechanical fuel pump with an Edlebrock electric fuel pump. I don't think this pump uses the return line. (I'll check later today.) That's what had me confused -- there was nothing obvious to hook the extra fuel line to!:stupid:

It may have simply come loose from Edlebrock pump from a place that I haven't seen, but I think the line was simply left open. I hadn't noticed this until I really filled the tank and the car was parked nose down on a hill. I changed all of the rear fuel hoses to get rid of the gas smell after a fill-up. This may have been my problem all along.

I replaced all the rubber fuel lines on mine as they were springing leaks. I think it would be a good idea, as it looks like, you are going over the fuel lines and system for safety and to make sure it's a closed system.