Aeromotive Stealth Fuel System - Stealthy Option

15 With the two halves together and placed in a vise, and the electrical tape removed from the end of the hose, a little grease is dabbed on the tool entrance, and the braided hose twisted into the fitting until it won't go any further.

16 The tool is then removed from the vise, split apart, and the hose and fitting removed. The orange spacer is used to ensure the fitting is butted up to the opposite end of the tool, and can be placed in various slots to accommodate fittings of various lengths.

17 Though holding fixtures are available to prevent damaging the anodizing and the fittings themselves, I didn't have any so I used more tape in the vise as protection. The second part of the fitting can now be inserted, again with a little grease. The tapered part goes into the rubber hose inside the braiding, and the threaded part threads into the female part of the fitting.

18 The fitting is now assembled, until the thread won't turn any more. The hose end is now secure and ready for use. I used an air line to blow any debris out of each hose once the ends were fitted. You'd be surprised how many small rubber particles are exhausted!

19 I mentioned ORB ports when discussing the filter. The fuel cell outlet, filter, regulator, and fuel log all use these (ORB is an abbreviation for O-ring Boss). The components have a groove around the port, for which fittings such as these, equipped with O-rings, are required, making a secure seal. On the left is a -6 fitting for the regulator, with the larger fitting on the right required for the fuel log. A similarly O-ring-equipped blanking plug is used at the other end of the log on my system.

20 I had hoped to be able to run a full-flow system (gas entering one end of the fuel log with the return line to the tank exiting the other end) by using these banjo fittings from Fragola to clear the A/C compressor, but there simply wasn't enough clearance. Of course the compressor could be re-mounted, but I'd already run the A/C hoses and didn't want to take a step backward. However, these banjo fittings are way shorter than an ORB adaptor and regular 90-degree fitting if you find yourself in a similar tight situation. The Fragola line is carried by Summit Racing.

21 From this angle you get a good view of the feed and return lines neatly coming through the body support, to and from the regulator, one above the other. Of course if this were a drag car I'd not be permitted to mount the regulator on the firewall owing to flywheel explosion safety rules. It does make a neat installation though, and allows a short length of braided hose to feed the fuel log. Perhaps too short, as there's minimal flex to allow for sideways engine movement. I'll see how much movement there is when I fire the motor, and may possibly change this hose for a longer, but unfortunately more unsightly, version.

22 From this angle you can see the valve cover is still removable with the fuel line routed the way it is. The dual-action adjustable fuel log features ball and socket assemblies on each carburetor inlet allowing plus/minus 20-degree movement, useful for clearance in racing applications around throttle stops or nitrous plates, but useful here to clear the vacuum module on the distributor. With the rear of the log adjusted up and the front downward, I gained the clearance needed. Once the desired position was found, the swiveling assemblies were locked in place. The log also telescopes to fit various carburetors. While the fuel pressure gauge can be mounted on the regulator, I opted to mount it on the log. Both feature 1/8-inch NPT ports for gauges, and are supplied with bungs fitted.

23 Moving to the rear of the car, I drilled these holes in the floor/C-notch bulkhead and fitted thick rubber grommets before installing the braided hoses. The round holesare for the feed and return fuel lines, while the elongated hole is for two fuel cell vent hoses.

24 Double 5/8-inch Kugel line clamps were used to attach the braided feed and return hoses to the crossmember at the front of the C-notch, ensuring they remain well away from the intended exhaust pipe route and any moving parts. Single 5/8-inch clamps locate these hoses en route to the fuel filter ahead of the rearend.

25 The final part of this install was to hook up the fuel cell. The two vents at the rear of the tank contain rollover valves, and as the fittings place the hoses almost 3 inches above the tank, I was confident in routing them downward through the floor. The fuel pump is located toward the rear of the car (nearest the camera), its braided hose running forward parallel with the return line and through the bulkhead. These will both be clamped to one of a pair of steel straps which will secure the fuel cell, but which I have yet to make. Hey, I've been busy!