427 engine (part 2) - RHS block - Page 127

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 05:31 PM

OK, I dropped the inspection panel on the driver's side fuel tank, and here's a look there at the hose connections going to the tank and stock pump plate.

This looks like a spliced into wiring harness here coming from the above pictured gas tank area.

Looks like someone put this cable harness a bit too close to the exhaust system here...

Continued...

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 05:34 PM

Over above the gas tank on the passenger side is some connectors and wiring cables..

Here's a mess of cables and braided hoses running over top of the differential.

And last but not least, images of the Aeromotive pump itself.

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 06:53 PM

Oh yeah, looks like I have a minor oil leak here....

What is that thing, and what's needed to remove it? I'm reluctant to just put a wrench on that plastic looking body and tugging....

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 07:23 PM

Forgot the pics of the fuse box itself....

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 07:30 PM

I'm not sure exactly what this is, but one of the red wires running to the fuse box goes to it...

Here'a a little better pic showing the apparently spliced harness going to the stock fuel pump plate.

And another pic of the stock fuel filter..

And two more pics showing the mess underneath the rear end of the car where the Aeromotive fuel pump and the turbos are playing together. Is it a real good idea having that fuel pump so close to the turbos and waste gates like you see here?

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 07:56 PM

So does anyone see any sort of fuel filter on an active fuel line in all of this mess? Or do I need to just assume that Harwood didn't even bother with putting one in?

**Rich Z** · 01-03-2012, 10:30 PM

Well, I've been looking over the install instructions for the Aeromotive a1000 fuel pump. Some things noted there are interesting, to say the least...

Quote:

A high capacity, 100 micron fuel filter must be installed between the fuel tank and pump inlet. We recommend an Aeromotive p/n 12304 filter. Call us for info.

To use this pump in your vehicle’s fuel system, we strongly recommend the following:

A by-pass style fuel pressure regulator must be used in the system.
Utilize AN-10 size high pressure fuel lines, fittings and o-rings for all connections from the fuel tank pickup to the fuel rails in the engine compartment. (Call Aeromotive for availability.)
For long term driving applications where continuous run times exceed 30 minutes and fuel capacity is less then 10 gallons, Aeromotive recommends the installation of a pump voltage control module, Aeromotive p/n 16302.
Gravity feed the pump by mounting it lower than and as close as possible to the fuel tank.
If you are using a stock fuel tank, install a reservoir style sump in the bottom-rear of your fuel tank. Exercise extreme caution and follow all manufacturer’s recommendations when installing a reservoir style sump.
If you choose not to install a reservoir style sump, then you must install a high flow capacity fuel tank pickup.(Installing a high flow pickup instead of a reservoir style sump may shorten the fuel pump life and cause driveability problems. When using a pickup, you should maintain at least ½ tank of fuel in the vehicle at all times, to avoid possible engine &/or fuel pump damage.)

Failure to follow the above recommendations may result in fuel leakage, bursting of the fuel lines, poor vehicle performance and/or decreased fuel pump life! Improper installation will void all warranties for this product!

Note: Failure to mount the pump lower than and close to the fuel tank may cause the pump to run dry, resulting in extreme pump wear! Make sure the pump is located lower than and as close as possible to the fuel tank, so that the pump is always supplied with fuel!

Note: Be sure to route all fuel lines clear of any moving suspension or drivetrain components, and any exhaust components! Protect fuel lines from abrasion and road obstructions or debris.

10. Locate the OEM fuel pump supply wires, located near the OEM fuel pump mounting location. Using that supply wire, connect the Aeromotive fuel pump as shown in the following diagram.

Although I'm not quite experienced enough to be able to easily tell AN line and fitting sizes by eye, it appears to me that there is a -6 line coming into the Aeromotive pump, and a -8 leaving the pump to the fuel rail. As best as I can tell, there is NO fuel filter between the tank and the pump.

If that is REALLY a -6 line coming from the tank to the pump, quite likely that caused the failure of the first unit. Probably wasn't enough fuel flowing into the pump to cool it down sufficiently, plus it just flat out wore out the pump prematurely. Kind of like using a straw that is far too small in diameter when you buy a milkshake. And it quite likely will soon cause the death of this second one that Aaron put in to replace that first failed one. Now one question comes to my mind here. Didn't Aaron read the install instructions to know the hose diameter was all wrong for the pump? And how about noting a fuel filter? I thought Aaron told me that he has installed LOTS of these Aeromotive pumps. So why did those particular details escape his notice?

So, I'm on borrowed time, in my opinion, with this second pump before it too will likely fail.

mickeystoysz16 · 01-04-2012, 05:20 PM

You can measure with existing english wrenches just dont use steel ones on the fittings. THe AN -X is system for Army/Navy specifications. However the numbers actually correspond to 16ths of an inch so a AN-6 is 6/16" or 3/8". AN-8 is 8/16" or 1/2". An AN-10 would be 10/16" or 5/8". Hope this helps to at least measure what you have vs. what is called for.

shakedown067 · 01-04-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeystoysz16

THe AN -X is system for Army/Navy specifications. However the numbers actually correspond to 16ths of an inch so a AN-6 is 6/16" or 3/8". AN-8 is 8/16" or 1/2". An AN-10 would be 10/16" or 5/8".

Cool. I got to learn something new today. Thanks!

**Rich Z** · 01-04-2012, 05:37 PM

I just went out and eyeballed the relative height of the pump compared to the fuel tank and the pump is about level with the TOP of the fuel tank.

Yeah, no wonder the first pump burned up.

While I was out underneath the car, I was looking at the fuel lines keeping in mind heat that would come from the headers and expose those fuel lines to that heat. Sheesh, what a mess I've got on my hands. Some of the fuel lines are running about three inches above the headers, and certainly the heat within the tunnel plate area above the exhaust is going to be pretty darn hot as well. And I also have to do something about that battery cable running down to the starter that is laying directly on a fuel line. I'm sorry, but am just having extreme difficulty comprehending why Aaron let me drive my car home in the shape it was in. And he commented to me that he would have absolutely NO qualms about driving that car all the way to California. Yeah, right.... Somewhere in Louisiana there probably would have been a blue fire ball on the highway noted in the news..

Well, I've really got my work cut out for me getting this mess cleaned up. The Aeromotive pump HAS to go, as it is entirely inappropriate for me car, PLUS installed completely incorrectly. It's as if Harwood didn't even bother reading the install instructions. And Aaron had to have had his eyes closed when he put in the replacement pump not to notice problems and at least make the car safe to drive by getting those hoses away from sources of heat.

And as far as I can tell, there is NO fuel filter anywhere to be found in the fuel system. If there is one, it would have to be up above the tunnel plate, which would make absolutely NO sense, since it would be impossible to replace the filter without removing the exhaust system and the tunnel plate to get to it.

This is just SO damned unbelievable and incomprehensible to me....