1963 Fuel Injection unit- Chrome crossover tube from the fuel meter to the air meter

[Gerald C.]

The tube coming out of the fuel meter is loose with about a quarter inch play in and out and does not fit snug at all. I tried moving the tube along the hold down bracket in the front of the unit to tighten it but to no avail.

I hope others in this group have experienced this issue and I would be interested in their resolutions to the problem.

The car does stall out on occasion but starts again quickly. I am running 50% CAM 2 and 50% 93 Octane. First time driving this car, so I'm "experimenting with the fuel mixture" After what I am reading on other threads, I'll be going strictly with the Cam 2.

But back to my loose tube issue...does anyone have the exact outside diameter dimension of the tube? Also, does the hole in which the tube reside have a step inside? Something I thought of was to insert a washer type spacer to allow the tube to fit more snug.

This resolution seems archaic, but it was just a thought!

Solutions please?

Thanks,

Jerry

[Don H.]

Re: 1963 Fuel Injection unit- Chrome crossover tube from the fuel meter to the air me

Jerry, I assume you mean the tube from the fuel meter to the air cleaner adapter (a vent for the fuel meter). I would take it completely off and inspect to see if the tube or fuel meter casting show signs of wear. Hopefully it is the tube and not the fuel meter. I'm sure John D has more info. Good luck, Don H.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Fuel Injection unit- Chrome crossover tube from the fuel meter to the air me

Hi Jerry, I could write a book on that pesky tube. Here's a short version. Did you all wonder why you have seen so many of these tubes in the fleas for the last 30 years or so.. All NOS??? Because they were reproduced by RP in later years. #1. They don't begin to fit. The bend where the tube goes into the fuel meter is many degrees off. #2.The OD of the tube is a tad fatter also. But they can be massaged and if you do the right job you won't have to get them rechromed.

In the 62 down FI units we like to see that tube (or the elbow) fit 100% tight as it does effect the operation.
In the 63 to '65's I would like to see it snug also.

I love the original rusty tubes as get them chrome plated. But when I do the end that goes into the fuel meter body won't fit as the chrome is built up on the edges. With my scotch bright wheels, that is easily resolvled.
In your case Jerry you say the tube is just loose. By the way the hole in the fuel meter body does not have a ledge/lip.
If you use a permanent Loctite on the connection then you are in trouble later when you try and take the tube off.
The double clamp doesn't help you. The rubber connector for the air meter adapter to chrome tube. That rubber hose could put some tension on the long tube so it's tight in the bowl. Make sure that rubber connector is not interferring with the choke rod.
Still haven't answered your question. If you use 271 or the red loctite thats rather permanent. The 609 is even more permanent.
Could do a bubba and put a piece of tape on the end of the tube. Or you could go all out and have the tube replated. Then it would be a perfect fit. Price is about $50 bucks.

Does the tube go into the fuel meter body straight in or is the tube at a slight angle? If it fits correctly but is just loose then rechrome the tube. If you don't want to spend that kind of bucks then use some 271. John D.

There is a repro tube (or used to be) but it doesn't fit the 63 at all as one of bends smacks the cranking signal valve.

PS. Hole in the fuel meter body is a .482-/483 using a minus pin gauge. The OD of an original chrome tube is around .487. You see the tube is swedged down at this point as the original size of the tube before this process is a about 1/2" with chrome.

[Gerald C.]

Re: 1963 Fuel Injection unit- Chrome crossover tube from the fuel meter to the air me

Thanks Don and John. I ordered a new tube from LICC, so we'll see what happens. Otherwise, I'll get mine chromed and go from there.

Jerry

[Joe M.]

Re: 1963 Fuel Injection unit- Chrome crossover tube from the fuel meter to the air me

Could a loose fitting tube be flared a bit with a short drift punch inserted and tapped until effect?