1972 fuel line / system

[DutchGuy]

Hello,

We've been rebuilding my wife's 1972 Charger SE. bodywork, interior is complete and we redid the entire wiring harness. The car runs but smells of gas after it's run for a couple of minutes. The previous owner did some creative things with the fuel/ evaporative lines. Essentially the only thing intact is the main fuel line from the tank to the engine compartment. The return line is not connected. Same goes for the four lines coming out of the side of the fuel tank. Three of the lines are are blocked off, the last one is running to what seems to be an evaporation tank behind the driver side rear wheel, which has rust holes in it (gas smell source). The filter canister (?) under the hood is present but nothing is connected to it.

In short, it's a mess. While I'm not opposed to trying to restore the fuel system to stock, this is her fun driver so It needs to be safe and reliable but I'm ok with cutting some corners here. If the expansion tank is absolutely required I'll need to go find one since the existing one is gone. I read somewhere that with a vented gas cap I could do without.

Could anyone give me some pointers to what would make up a minimal, safe fuel system?

thanks

W

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

The early ’72 & ’71 ECS fuel tank vapor separator in the driver’s side rear wheel well is harder to find these days in good shape but I would try to find one and restore the system. Alternatively, with a little more work you could convert to the late ’72, and on, ECS system. The smaller fuel tank separator that mounts to the shock crossover, are easier to find, contact moparmarks. Will require changing out the fuel tank however, as the vent nipples are on the front of the tank. There are some other considerations necessary to get the charcoal canister functional. The correct ’72 canister will plum to any carburetor however.
You mention a return line, are you sure that’s not the ECS vent line? Would be 5/16” and run from the fuel tank separator to the charcoal canister.

 

[DutchGuy]

Thank you for the info. I dropped the fuel tank today and noticed the previous owner hit it with a sanding wheel or something similar so I'm going to replace it either way so the late '72 conversion is definitely an option. Either of the tanks seems easy to find. Fuel lines are easy too, I'll replace both with SS.

I'm sure you're right that the second line is the ECS vent line, it's just hard to work out with neither side connected to anything. I'm having a hard time finding either version of the fuel tank vapor separator or a diagram of the complete system for that matter.

Thanks,

W

This is my "learning car" so I'm learning as I go. Bought it cheap with lots to do. I'll try to do the next one right

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

early;

Check with member moparmarks, I’ve purchases a couple of the later separators from him in recent years. They were used on many other models and years.

 

[318 Six Pack]

Problem: I really want to change my 1972 Charger fuel tank from a four vent tube system to a one vent tube system. On this topic, I was reading this http://www.allpar.com/fix/fuel/evaporation-control.html and in the section titled "The modern era begins in 1972" it sounds like the domed tanks with one vent started in later 1972.

Thing is, all the resto-parts shops show different variants of the four vent tanks all the way into 1974. For 1972, they have tanks with four vents on the side, or four vents in the front. In 1974 there are tanks with a dome and one vent, but I don't see how that one would fit a '72 Charger, unless I am looking at it wrong.

The kicker, I saw one of the Hot Rod magazine YouTube shows where a guy switched tanks, but I forgot which body/year he was working on.

Any ideas how to make this work?

 

[Bb70charger500]

There all 4 vent except I believe even the 74 tank it's just a matter of where the lines go .
This venting system is not needed I make a special bypass block and run the hoses to the rear of the car wheel well area and make it so gas' can escape and water can't get in .
I never have any problems out of my cars with fumes.
I don't have any finished ones right now to show but it's very simple.
Also the vented gas cap will help a lot.
Blocking the lines off will cause smells as the gas' have no where to vent .
The 1974 tank will only fit into a 74 model unless you change the trunk pan to a 74 pan but again the tanks are the same for the most part a lot of people use 71-73 tanks in 74's because there much cheaper buy about $300 or so .
I have a mint charcoal can for a late 72 if your interested I'm not going to be using it
Pm with any ?'s or for needed parts I have tons

 

[318 Six Pack]

There all 4 vent except I believe even the 74 tank it's just a matter of where the lines go .
This venting system is not needed I make a special bypass block and run the hoses to the rear of the car wheel well area and make it so gas' can escape and water can't get in .
I never have any problems out of my cars with fumes.
I don't have any finished ones right now to show but it's very simple.
Also the vented gas cap will help a lot.
Blocking the lines off will cause smells as the gas' have no where to vent .
The 1974 tank will only fit into a 74 model unless you change the trunk pan to a 74 pan but again the tanks are the same for the most part a lot of people use 71-73 tanks in 74's because there much cheaper buy about $300 or so .
I have a mint charcoal can for a late 72 if your interested I'm not going to be using it
Pm with any ?'s or for needed parts I have tons

Still will be a while before I get this fuel line cleaned out and then check what else I need to fuss with fuel system wise, so don't know when/if I'll need a canister for a while. Will check back in if I do need it for sure.

 

[dodge1972]

A word of caution. The fuel line to the canister must be terminated. Gas fumes are a hazard. I've seen burn hoods because the 1/4 line was left open under the hood. stay with the expansion tank. Mother Mopar designed your fuel tank to be safe. Better safe then sorry

 

[Bruzilla]

I'm not getting why someone wouldn't want a whif of gas fumes in the cabin. A little gas, a little scorched oil, a little mold... that's the smell of an old Mopar.