[aaronspnc]

I was told today that my 1956 Chevrolet 2 door Hardtop may originally have had a Powerpak 265 Engine if the fuel line is 3/8inch in diameter.

I was told there were 2 different sizes of fuel lines 5/16 or 3/8 inch. If the fuel line is 3/8 inch that meant it originally had a Powerpak 265.

Does anyone know if the size of fuel line determined what size engine originally came with the car and if that is true?

My car has a 1956 numbers matching 265 engine but perhaps it was swapped out and originally had a Powerpak 265. Would the fuel line size answer my question?

Thanks,

Aaron

 

[Rick_L]

I think only the 57 models with 270 hp (dual 4bbl carbs) or the 283 hp FI engines had the 3/8" fuel line. All others had 5/16" lines.

What is different is the routing of the lines. Cars with dual exhaust had the fuel and brake lines run outboard of the frame rail. All others were inboard of the frame rail. This is to get away from the heat of the muffler. This would apply to any 55-57 factory dual exhaust car.

 

[Gary Blake]

Welcome to you and your fuel lines.

 

[pistoncan]

I believe Rick is correct. Only the dual quad engines (56 and 57) and the 57 FI had the 3/8 fuel lines.

 

[Chevynut]

I think only the 57 models with 270 hp (dual 4bbl carbs) or the 283 hp FI engines had the 3/8" fuel line.

As if they really needed 3/8" lines for 283 horsepower. LOL!

 

[TheHotrodHandyman]

I was told today that my 1956 Chevrolet 2 door Hardtop may originally have had a Powerpak 265 Engine if the fuel line is 3/8inch in diameter.

I was told there were 2 different sizes of fuel lines 5/16 or 3/8 inch. If the fuel line is 3/8 inch that meant it originally had a Powerpak 265.

Does anyone know if the size of fuel line determined what size engine originally came with the car and if that is true?

My car has a 1956 numbers matching 265 engine but perhaps it was swapped out and originally had a Powerpak 265. Would the fuel line size answer my question?

Thanks,

Aaron

Aaron, Both the 265 powerpak (4 barrel carb) and the 2 barrel carb 265 had 5/16" fuel lines. The 2 bbl cars had the line running on the inside (driveshaft side) of the right frame rail. The powerpak cars had the line on the outside (rocker panel side) of the right frame rail. This was to keep it away from the heat on the dual exhaust that all powerpak cars had. The 2 bbl cars came with single exhaust running down the left side of the car. The front to rear brake line also runs with the fuel line in either case. I hope this helps answer your question. :anim_25:
-Bruce

 

[Picker70]

It was all power pack motors that had the fuel lines run to the outside with dual exhaust. 2x4 and fuelie's had the 3/8" line and was always on the outside of frame, but 5/16" lines were also run on the outside with dual exhaust, as I understand it to prevent vapor lock by being to close to the exhaust. There's a bracket by the emergency cable that directed the line to the outside of the frame, that's how I tell if it was originally a power pack, and the size of the line tells you whether it was power pack or High Performance. That's what I've read and been told, hope that helps, Bob H

 

[aaronspnc]

Checked out where the fuel line ran on the frame.

Thanks for everyones help in figuring out if my "56" was originally a powerpak.

I checked out the fuel line and it is running on the outside of the frame and meaures 3/8 inch which I assume means the car was originally a powerpak! I bought it on EBAY 2 years ago and did not know what I was getting. I am now restoring to original.

Aaron

 

[Chevynut]

I checked out the fuel line and it is running on the outside of the frame and meaures 3/8 inch which I assume means the car was originally a powerpak!

Did you read any of the replies?

*I think only the 57 models with 270 hp (dual 4bbl carbs) or the 283 hp FI engines had the 3/8" fuel line. All others had 5/16" lines.

*Only the dual quad engines (56 and 57) and the 57 FI had the 3/8 fuel lines.

*Both the 265 powerpak (4 barrel carb) and the 2 barrel carb 265 had 5/16" fuel lines.

Oh, and Welcome to TriFive!!

 

[aaronspnc]

5/16 and 3/8inch are VERY close in measurement. Do you go by inside diameter or outside diameter of the fuel line? If it is 3/8inch, then I can assume it was a dual quad car?

Whatever the case, the fuel line is running on the outside of the frame and the dual exhausts look original to the car.

 

[Rick_L]

"If it is 3/8inch, then I can assume it was a dual quad car?"

The tubing is measured by the outside diameter.

Since the tubing could have been replaced, I don't think I'd jump to the conclusion of it being a dual quad equipped car. They were not numerous.

 

[aaronspnc]

Original fuel tubing

Thanks Rick,

It is 3/8 inch in diameter. The fuel line is just as rusty or weathered looking as the frame and looks as though it has NEVER been touched or replaced. In fact the fuel line, as it runs and is clipped along the frame of the car, is covered by some kind of sleeve that looks factory installed and weathered looking as the rest of the frame on the car.

Thanks for your comments,

Aaron

 

[CJS57]

It probably was a high hp car. But without other documentation, like a correct engine, trans or paper work from the old days, well, it will be hard to prove.