Hey guys,
 
With the standard 1.6, their seem to be two fuel lines, one running down the driver chassis rail (i'm guessing the feed?) and one running down the passenger chassis rail (return line?)... Can someone provide an explanation of the two lines and their purpose?
 
For people who have done this conversion, do you keep the original hard plastic fuel lines, divert the feed line to the passenger side rail and run it to the carb using some fuel hose (of suitable diameter) to connect the discrepancy in length? I.e. running both lines on the opposite side of the extractors
 
Thanks in advance
 
 

The 1600 fuel line runs down the drivers side of the car. The one on the passenger side I think you will find is the vapour line to the carbon canister. When I swapped mine over I used the plastic lines (supply, return & vapour) from the 2L shell that I had. It has the brackets that mount them to the inner edge of the chassis rail which then runs up to the mechanical fuel pump near the distributor. You will also need a 2L fuel tank sender or fit a return pipe to the 1600 tank sender that you have already. Hope that helps.
 
Craig.

Hey Craig,
 
Thanks for the reply... Ok, so I only have the supply and vapour lines... making up another line shouldn't be a problem, however, what does it take to fit a return pipe to the 1600 tank sender? I've been under there and where the supply pipe comes out doesn't seem to provide too many possible modifications for a return pipe as well??? Would i be better of sourcing a 2L tank, or a 2L sender..?
 
I know you haven't done this, but have you heard of ways to rig that return pipe up to the 1600 sender?
 
Much appreciated!

2.0 lt cars had 3 lines that run down the LHS chassis rail - 1 fuel, 1 return and a vapour line.  the 2 fuel lines crossed sides at the back over the top of the diff and had a smal heat shield for where it could be close to the ehaust as it was close to the exhaust where it too went over the diff....
 
The 2 1.3lt Mk2 Escorts I have converted originally had their 2 lines running down the RHS chassis rail. 1 fuel and 1 vapour.  Kent Engined cars did not have a fuel return except for the "rare" 2V early 1.6 ghias which like the 2Lt cars had the weber and the return line.  This makes the sender units different too as the amount of fuel lines dictates from what car it was from....
 
Originally they had them running on the opposite side to where the exhaust was.... I have not played with a later 1.6, but I have always assumed they were the same as the early kent versions.

Tim, I'm not sure that the return line is absolutely necessary. I have seen pintos where the fuel return has been blocked at the carby.
If you really wanted to, the 1600 sender could be modified with a piece of pipe and some clever soldering or bronzing. Back in the 70's or 80's (not sure which) there was a plastic fuel filter that had a return built into it so it would feed back into the pump. I thought it was a Valiant but I can't find anything on the ryco filters site. That would save running another fuel line back to the tank.
 
I have 2 senders out of the car that I can take pics of if that helps. I am about to remove the original plastic lines on my car as I need to run high pressure metal lines the length of the car. Also I have 2 panel vans I am wrecking. I could check to see if the sender and lines are any good on them if you like.
 
Craig.

na.charrett thanks for the info.
 
Craig, I am thinking about blocking the return up. I'll definately look into those fuel filters because that would probably be the least dodgy solution other than returning the line...
 
Mate if you could upload a picture of a 2L sender that would be great... I'm not sure if you'd be willing to sell any of that gear but I'd possibly be interested!
 
Thanks again!

Also Craig, you wouldn't happen to have a 2L accelerator cable you want to sell? My 1.6L cable won't make the reach I'm afraid

obsesscort

Mate if you could upload a picture of a 2L sender that would be great... I'm not sure if you'd be willing to sell any of that gear but I'd possibly be interested!

Thanks again!

 
Tim, I took some photos today. Hope they help. The 2L sender is on the left & has the return line fitting. That is the only difference.
Sorry, I don't have a 2L accelerator cable spare though.

Craig.

Craig,
 
Thankyou for your time and persistence with this topic, I really appreciate it! 
 
I understand now where that return line goes... You wouldn't want to sell a 2L sender if you had one spare per chance? If not, no worries, I was thinking maybe linking that return pipe back into the system somewhere in the engine bay and just seeing how it goes.... 
 
Thanks again mate!

Tim, the one on the left I pulled from the 2L panel van yesterday. If it works you can have it for postage cost. I will test it later this week as I have my car in bits at the moment. I don't know if it would be worth sending you the plastic fuel lines & brackets but would certainly make the conversion easier.
 
Let me know what you think, PM me with your details.
 
Craig.