Fuel rail variances

[Mike B]

I was looking at some extra 240Z fuel rails I have and noticed that there appear to be three versions. Pictures and descriptions of each are shown below with differences highlighted in bold.

1. (closest to camera) 1969 to early 1970? My 1969 production cars have this version. The bracket on the square post at the back end (right side of pictures) wraps around two sides of the post. The second post from the back is only about 4" away. The two fuel line sections between the back posts are straight. The metal tab that separates the two fuel lines at the front of the fuel rail is mounted on the outside.

2. (middle) later 1970? The bracket on the square post at the back end (right side of pictures) is only mounted to one side of the post. The second post from the back is only about 4" away. The two fuel line sections between the back posts are straight. The metal tab that separates the two fuel lines at the front of the fuel rail is mounted on the inside.

3. (furthest from camera) 1971 to 1973? My 5/72 car has this version. The bracket on the square post at the back end (right side of pictures) is only mounted to one side of the post. The second post from the back is about 8.5" away. The two fuel line sections between the back posts are straight, then angle up and then straighten out again. The metal tab that separates the two fuel lines at the front of the fuel rail is mounted on the inside.

Maybe others can help narrow down the date ranges and add any other variations, if there are any.

[Mike B]

Someone mentioned to me that there is also another version of the fuel rail that has a 180 loop that joins the two lines at the back end instead of the square block. I think I have seen that too on a few cars, but I'm not sure which model or years. Does anyone know more about this?

I also noted that Kats' 3/70 cars has the type 1 that I listed above (1969 to early 1970).

-Mike

[Arne]

I think the one with the loop at the back is the short rail for flat-top cabs - '73 and '74.

I'll take a look at what is on my 7/71 car later tonight.

[Arne]

The rail on my 7/71 car appears to be the same as the third one in your pictures.

[geezer]

These two are still wrapped with insulation but seem to be different than the ones you have shown. They have 1 less bracket from what I can see. They are from engines L24-015980 & L24-022622.

Was there an insulation kit for these fuel rails? Just wondering why both these engines had it, with both covered in the exact manner.

Edited May 8, 2009 by geezer
Added a question

[bobc]

Ron,

That insulation is what came in the "V3" kit that Datsun put out for the "fix" for the 1973 vapor lock problem. Also came with electric fuel pump, 8-blade fan, relays for fuel pump, etc.

I may be incorrect, but I'm pretty sure that insulation is asbestos, so be careful handling it.

Bob

[Mike B]

These two are still wrapped with insulation but seem to be different than the ones you have shown. They have 1 less bracket from what I can see. They are from engines L24-015980 & L24-022622.

Was there an insulation kit for these fuel rails? Just wondering why both these engines had it, with both covered in the exact manner.

Looking at the engine number info in the zhome.com registry it appears that engine 15980 would be from a car produced around 10/70 and engine 22622 would be from a car produced around 12/70. Its interesting that relatively early cars would both have the vapor lock kit installed. It looks like the cut and modified the top fuel line before it got to the rear block and cutoff the 2nd from the last bracket for some reason.

Edited May 8, 2009 by Mike B

[geezer]

Thanks guys. So, neither is original to the engines mentioned, have been modified and are wrapped in asbestos. Excellent candidates for disposal. I do have pics of my 10/70 as I found it, with this fuel rail being used to feed triple webers. I just hadn't realized the fuel rail was not original to the car and that it had been modified. Just didn't pay much attention to it as it was immediately removed and I had no plans to reuse it anyhow. Thanks for the warning of the asbestos.

[geezer]

OK, my curiosity is getting the better of me again. I am going to unwrap one of these to see what lies within. They do not appear to be modified, other than a bend in one line. Also, they are different than this illustration shown in this reference taken from the 1973 Mod Plus Program.

[Mike B]

Ron, after seeing your diagram above, hearing that these were used on triples, and taking another look at your pictures, I think I have a better understanding of what they are now. They look like 1973 fuel rails with a third line added on top for the triples.

-Mike

[geezer]

Don't know Mike. I carefully removed the insulation in one piece without damage or risk of an environmental disaster, bead blasted it and gave it a quick shot of high heat paint so it shows up in the pics. Sure appears to be a factory built piece and not an add on. I have two of these, which are identical and came from different sources, so I would think more will turn up.

Edited May 8, 2009 by geezer

[Arne]

I think the top line in geezer's pics was for something else. Note how the end near the fuel pump appears to go somewhere else, not to the pump. Some sort of vent tube, perhaps?

Certainly appears to be factory built to me.