I just put a new carb setup on the SBC & decided to upgrade the fuel system a bit while I was at it because the old setup used a simple, dead-headed Mr. Gasket pressure regulator to the carb without using a fuel return line. (This was/is an '86 SE, so it's the low pressure pump.)

Decided to use a Holley by-pass fuel regulator. I was shocked it didn't come with the 3/8" nipples for the fuel lines and had to make a trip back to pick some up.

I have tried to stop the leaks twice now (using teflon tape), but I can't seem to stop it - even with what I would deem an excess of teflon tape on the 2nd attempt (six wraps - guess I'll have to try even more). The leaks are between the nipples & the body of the regulator itself. They (Holley) are using course 3/8" NPT threading & it just flat isn't working.

Anybody else had the program and/or got any good ideas how to resolve this (short of using even more teflon tape)?

copper gasket maker.

Are you using compression fittings? The standard 3/8ths hex nipple is squared off at the ends while the compression fitting is tapered. Usually you will find compression fittings on most fuel systems. Look inside of the other fitting, it should be cone shaped inside, thats a compression fitting and you will need a hex nipple with compression ends.

Short answer - I'm using barbed end fittings & they are tappered but I am securing the hose with clamps. If it was leaking at the hose conncetions, then I'd blame it on this but that's not the case. It's leaking between the fitting & the regulator body. The leaks are coming up the threading.

Thought about putting on some compression gaskets, but there really isn't much lip to play with. Don't know how successfull this would be. Also thought about some copper drain plug washers.

What is a copper gasket maker? Are you saying to make my own copper washers?

[This message has been edited by RTNmsds (edited 05-25-2008).]

Hmm I didnt use anything on my fittings just screwed them in and they havent leaked yet.

Just got the regulator pulled back out & the fitting cleaned up (i.e. remove all teflon tape). You can wiggle these fittings a pretty good bit even when screwed in 80+ % of the way when they are not taped. The fittings were purchased from Advance Auto. Think I'll hit up a different source tomorrow to see if perhaps the AA fittings were just machined down a bit too much. I'm not sure any kind of sealent (other than perhaps JB weld ) really has a good chance of filling all the gaps between these threads. Maybe some permatex thread sealant w/ teflon will be my next attempt.

Jake - Are you using a Holley by-pass regulator? Where did you get your fittings from?

Its a Holley like yours only its a higher pressure bypass. I got the fittings from AutoZone, two straight fittings with barbs and one elbow with a barb for the return line.
They are brass colored if that helps. After a few turnes it got real tight, I turned them one turn after it got snug.

Thanks. I'll stop in there tomorrow.

What a pain... This was supposed to be the easy part of the project.

quote Originally posted by RTNmsds: I just put a new carb setup on the SBC & decided to upgrade the fuel system a bit while I was at it because the old setup used a simple, dead-headed Mr. Gasket pressure regulator to the carb without using a fuel return line. (This was/is an '86 SE, so it's the low pressure pump.) Decided to use a Holley by-pass fuel regulator. I was shocked it didn't come with the 3/8" nipples for the fuel lines and had to make a trip back to pick some up. I have tried to stop the leaks twice now (using teflon tape), but I can't seem to stop it - even with what I would deem an excess of teflon tape on the 2nd attempt (six wraps - guess I'll have to try even more). The leaks are between the nipples & the body of the regulator itself. They (Holley) are using course 3/8" NPT threading & it just flat isn't working. Anybody else had the program and/or got any good ideas how to resolve this (short of using even more teflon tape)?

Ditch the teflon tape and use rtv, copper or black is fine. Had the same problem with my regulator and the rtv did the trick.

Yeah, I was talking about copper rtv. It's all I use.

quote Originally posted by RTNmsds: You can wiggle these fittings a pretty good bit even when screwed in 80+ % of the way when they are not taped.

quote I'm not sure any kind of sealent (other than perhaps JB weld ) really has a good chance of filling all the gaps between these threads.

Take the regulator into the auto parts store so they can match up the right size. Sounds like the other place didn't know what they were doing when they sold you those fittings. The fittings should not wiggle, there should not be any gaps. Did you contact Holly and ask exactly what size they recommend? Hopefully you didn't damage the threads in the regulator attempting to install those loose fittings. Have a fire extinguisher at the ready, pin pulled, at your side when you test that out.

Getting a late start this am on the project. Had a couple things to do first.

All Holley says is 3/8" NPT - no specifics.

Definitely taking the regulator & one of the "bad" fittings with me on my search for something better. Copper RTV, teflon paste, etc will definitely be coming back with me.

This isn't supposed to be that hard. I've had minor fuel leaks messing with carb changes in the past, but this is ridiculous.

P.S. Yes - The fire extinguisher has been sitting out "at the ready" since the first twist of the key.

Thanks to all - will update later today.

I use the Mallory bypass regulator. The return line goes out the bottom and the inlet from the tank and outlet to the carb are on the sides. The beauty of the design is that it regulates the whole system down from 60 psi to 6 psi in my case. You can scarcely hear the pump it virtually idles all the time with next to no pressure in it.

I haven't had it apart in a while, but I am dead certain the 3/8's fittings had tapered thread. When it went in it only got about 1/2 way down the thread before it tightened right up.

Taking the part in to the store is the way to go. Make sure you are getting quality brass fittings for it. Not all suppliers give quality fittings. You may want to visit a plumbing supply house that deals in commercial pressure fittings. They normally sell to hotrodders and will have the better quality parts. Again, take the regulator into the store to ensure the fittings actually "fit".

Good luck on it.

Arn

RTV is not fuel proof, so I wouldn't use it in this area. I know, a lot of people do, but it will eventually leak. I generally smear on some Permatex stuff (I forget the name of it, "form-a-gasket" maybe, but it's the really thick, dark reddish-brown stuff). But you do want to have proper fittings, since you don't want it to fill any appreciable gap.

Rick

Arns & Jake,

Finally got it. Had to drive to the next town over to get to an Auto Zone vs. the Advance Auto that is just 1 mile from me. Not to say the guys in there knew any more at AZ vs AA, but they did let me pilfer around in the back & I was able to find the right piece. I've taken the regulator in with me every time, but AZ had some brass fuel fittings that were exactly what I needed. By hand you could only get them in maybe 1/4 turn, but as you tightened with a wrench the brass moved nicely to fill up the gaps. As Jake had stated with his experience, no tape - no paste - no problem. Issue resolved. (BTW - every fitting I used was sold as 3/8" NPT. There are definately differences.)

Now just need to mount the regulator to the wall properly (gonna have to bush it out just a tad because the filter is so close to the regulator and I don't want to put unnecessary strain on the fuel hose), and need to fix the darn breather.

Thanks to all for the help. Jake, it I could give you another 10 +(s) I would for the advice but you already had mine so I guess a simply THANK YOU will have to do.

Later Dudes...

P.S. Holley should really consider supplying the fittings with the regulator. They definately dropped a notch or two on my confidence meter with this experience. (Not to mention the fact the Holley air filter/breather had to be rigged a bit to fit the new Holley 600 I just put on. Funny that it fit the Edelbrock so nicely, but had to be modified for thier own carb design. Geeze... go figure.)

Glad you got it worked out.

ditto

Arn