Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again! - NCRS Discussion Boards

Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

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  • Jack O.
    Very Frequent User
    • July 31, 1996
    • 525

    Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

    I've posted many times regarding my recurring Holley fuel line leaks. As a quick review my car is originally a 435 but until I get the tri power rebuilt I've been running a '71 LS6 intake with LS6 fuel lines and an aftermarket Holley Street Avenger carb. I can't get it to stop leaking at the carb usually between the inlet and the line itself. I've replaced all the fuel lines/block with new ones from Inline Tube (twice!) and even put new inlets on the carb which was new. Anyway, reason for this post is it appears that when the car sits for a while a leak develops. I had it not leaking and then the car sat for a few weeks, started it last night and gas seeping from both lines at the carb! Someone told me to put teflon tape on the threads and even though I know I shouldn't need it I'm wondering if that might help - maybe the lines are coming lose.
    About ready to go ahead and rebuilt that tri-power but then I'll have even more potential for leaks. Could that Street Avenger carb be the issue some how?
    Jack Ottofaro
  • Clem Z.
    Expired
    • January 1, 2006
    • 9427

    #2
    Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

    Originally posted by Jack Ottofaro (28026)
    I've posted many times regarding my recurring Holley fuel line leaks. As a quick review my car is originally a 435 but until I get the tri power rebuilt I've been running a '71 LS6 intake with LS6 fuel lines and an aftermarket Holley Street Avenger carb. I can't get it to stop leaking at the carb usually between the inlet and the line itself. I've replaced all the fuel lines/block with new ones from Inline Tube (twice!) and even put new inlets on the carb which was new. Anyway, reason for this post is it appears that when the car sits for a while a leak develops. I had it not leaking and then the car sat for a few weeks, started it last night and gas seeping from both lines at the carb! Someone told me to put teflon tape on the threads and even though I know I shouldn't need it I'm wondering if that might help - maybe the lines are coming lose.
    About ready to go ahead and rebuilt that tri-power but then I'll have even more potential for leaks. Could that Street Avenger carb be the issue some how?
    i always used teflon tape on the THREADS not for sealing but to cut the friction in the threads and allowing me to tighten the fitting so it did not leak. also stainless steel gas lines are a SOB to get to seal if you used them

    Comment

    • Wayne W.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • April 30, 1982
      • 3605

      #3
      Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

      Sounds like stainless steel lines.


      It will mess up the finish a little, but I would anneal the ends of the lines. That will soften them up enough to seat.

      Comment

      • Clem Z.
        Expired
        • January 1, 2006
        • 9427

        #4
        Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

        Originally posted by Wayne Womble (5569)
        Sounds like stainless steel lines.


        It will mess up the finish a little, but I would anneal the ends of the lines. That will soften them up enough to seat.
        what i do with stainless steel lines is put a old steel holley float bowl fitting in a bench vise and tighten the line into it using a fitting wrentch to form the flare before trying to do it on the carb

        Comment

        • Jack O.
          Very Frequent User
          • July 31, 1996
          • 525

          #5
          Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

          Thnaks for the replys. Not using stainless. I may try the teflon tape. I've actually pulled the carb off and bench mounted it several times in order to really tighten down on everything but to no avail. Seems to hold for a while but eventually springs a leak. The LS6 lines and inlet are the size of the tri power lines as opposed to the smaller diameter earlier 4 bbl lines, e.g. 427/425 - I may try them.
          Jack Ottofaro

          Comment

          • Clem Z.
            Expired
            • January 1, 2006
            • 9427

            #6
            Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

            Originally posted by Jack Ottofaro (28026)
            Thnaks for the replys. Not using stainless. I may try the teflon tape. I've actually pulled the carb off and bench mounted it several times in order to really tighten down on everything but to no avail. Seems to hold for a while but eventually springs a leak. The LS6 lines and inlet are the size of the tri power lines as opposed to the smaller diameter earlier 4 bbl lines, e.g. 427/425 - I may try them.
            you can buy copper flare washers from industrial supply places which will help seal because they are soft enough to form a better flare seal

            Comment

            • Michael J.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • January 27, 2009
              • 7122

              #7
              Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

              Originally posted by Jack Ottofaro (28026)
              Thnaks for the replys. Not using stainless. I may try the teflon tape. I've actually pulled the carb off and bench mounted it several times in order to really tighten down on everything but to no avail. Seems to hold for a while but eventually springs a leak. The LS6 lines and inlet are the size of the tri power lines as opposed to the smaller diameter earlier 4 bbl lines, e.g. 427/425 - I may try them.
              If you use Teflon tape and want to go to flight judging, try to make it not show, some judges get real upset to see that stuff
              Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New Mexico

              Comment

              • Michael H.
                Very Frequent User
                • December 1, 1987
                • 729

                #8
                Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

                Originally posted by Clem Zahrobsky (45134)
                you can buy copper flare washers from industrial supply places which will help seal because they are soft enough to form a better flare seal
                They are called Flare Savers and they work great and they come in various sizes.

                Mike

                Comment

                • Don L.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • August 31, 2005
                  • 1005

                  #9
                  Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

                  Surely, I have far less experience than Clem with this issue, however, I have two cents to add, for what it's worth.

                  I once had an alignment problem with the steel line into the carb. Had to get the "approach angle" just right or else it leaked. Was A PITA, but eventually, the alignment mated up without leaks.

                  Also, I've had success in using a small "O" ring between the flared steel line and the mating inlet surface. If you do this, you must use an "O" ring that's made of neoprene, because gasoline eats black rubber up. Might sound funny but it works and is invisible upon inspection. The installation was short/mid term, so I can't really say if this will work forever.
                  Don Lowe
                  NCRS #44382
                  Carolinas Chapter

                  Comment

                  • Dick W.
                    Former NCRS Director Region IV
                    • June 30, 1985
                    • 10483

                    #10
                    Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

                    Originally posted by Michael Johnson (49879)
                    If you use Teflon tape and want to go to flight judging, try to make it not show, some judges get real upset to see that stuff
                    The threads do not leak. It is the seat of the flare that leaks.
                    Dick Whittington

                    Comment

                    • Gary C.
                      Administrator
                      • October 1, 1982
                      • 17664

                      #11
                      Re: Steel Lines to Holley Carb Leaking Again!

                      Use this stuff and have no problems with sealing brake or fuel lines. Gary....

                      NCRS Texas Chapter
                      https://www.ncrstexas.org/

                      https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631

                      Comment

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