3/16" fuel lines on a '90?

saburai

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2016
Posts
2,201
Reaction score
983
Location
Bokeelia Florida/Catskill mountains NY
My truck is a '90 and everything I've read says that the fuel return lines should be 1/4" 7mm but the lines on there are 3/16" 5mm. Did some 7.3s, maybe early IDK, come with the small lines? Should I swap out to the 1/4" when I put the new pump in?
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
I believe those were on 87 and below trucks, mostly 6.9s. It will work on your truck fine but the update design uses different style caps and 1/4” lines as you said
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
It could have been a roadside repair and that’s all the parts store had, I would replace it with the injectors. I believe Mel includes his return kit with every set of injectors
 

OLDBULL8

Good Morning Ya'll.
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Posts
9,923
Reaction score
338
Location
Delphos , Ohio
The return line fitting on the filter cap and top of IP could be either 3/16" or 1/4", use the size whatever size those are. If you go to 1/4", you'll have to change those two fittings or they will leak or air intrusion, can't clamp tight enough.
 

icanfixall

Official GMM hand model
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Posts
25,858
Reaction score
672
Location
West coast
No real reason to change to the larger return lines. Both sizes will flow return fuel fine. As posted above. There are several fittings you MUST change if you are going to change the line size.. You can't mix and match sizes. the smaller lines wont fit the larger fittings and sure nuff the larger lines will leak on the smaller fittings. Easy way to determine what size you have is the smaller size line caps have the connections in the center of the caps. the larger size has the connections offset on the caps.
 

Macrobb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Posts
2,380
Reaction score
1,234
Location
North Idaho
88's seemed to come with the 3/16 kit stock - I've seen multiple this way and none with the 1/4 line
 

chillman88

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2017
Posts
6,022
Reaction score
6,152
Location
Central NY
Though I can't say how "stock" it might be. My 91 also had the smaller, 3/16 lines on it.
 
Top