Removing Fuel Rail and Intakes

I have started the project to fix the vapor lock problem.

The first step when working on the fuel system is to depressurize the fuel line.  The orange wire on terminal 85 of the fuel pump relay is disconnected and the engine is started without the fuel pump running to take the pressure down

I then disconnected the hoses and electrical connectors and was able to pull the rail out as a complete assembly

All of those hoses and fuel lines will be replaced with a much simpler and larger diameter rail

The fuel rail and two air pipes are now getting re-plated and should be ready in about a week.

Since I have good access to other areas, I will take the opportunity to remove and clean the intakes, do a general clean up and some other items.  Here are the intake manifolds right after removal

And here they are with all of the auxiliaries removed

And finally….degreased and ready to get bead blasted

I plan to have the intakes cleaned by glass bead blasting next week.  Have decided to add a coating after they are cleaned as the unfinished aluminium picks up dirt and grease quickly and is difficult to keep clean.  Still considering options for the coating:

Leaning toward clear powder coating as it is supposed to be durable and has pretty good resistance to yellowing and getting stained by fuel

Also considering spraying with a VHT clear coat.  Some have had luck with this but others get yellowing and fuel seems to stain that finish.  These seem to be problems more with carbureted engines with high temp heat risers and in situations where carbs spill fuel on the intake.  Neither of these conditions should be a problem for me.

Another interesting idea that has had mixed review is Eastwood’s Exo-Armour.  It doesn’t seem to yellow, is more resistant to fuel than the other options and goes on really thin so it should keep the natural aluminum finish look.  My biggest concern here is there are reports that it can look streaky if not applied evenly with single strokes and the ridges on top of the manifold may make it difficult to get it evenly applied with sponge head paint brush.

Now comes the most difficult part of any project…….the waiting.  It will take a while to find and order gaskets, fittings, hoses etc.  In the meantime, I will clean areas I have access to, and do some other small projects.