I'm a little concerned about the size of some of the components and fittings in my RF's fuel system. The low pressure fittings are, I believe, 1/4" BSPT at the tanks with barbs for 5/16" ID fuel hose. Fair enough, I thought, as the low pressure system is constantly feeding the swirl pot and fuel consumption is at a maximum only for short periods of full-throttle operation. But my most recent (and probably last /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif ) shipment from RF contained the two solenoids that are supposed to be put in front of the LP pumps to prevent backflow through whichever pump is not selected. Now the fittings in these things are even smaller - the barbs are for 1/4" ID hose and the size of the solenoid fitting looks to be less than 1/4". So I need to step down from 5/16' hose from the tanks to 1/4" hose at the solenoids, then back up to 5/16" to the LP pumps. This leads me to wonder if these solenoids will be overly restrictive to fuel flow on the LP side of my system. Anyone have a source for larger solenoids I can use?
On the high-pressure side, the limiting factor seems to be the barb for 5/16" ID hose on the outlet of the pump - the ID of the outlet is more like 3/16". I wonder if that's enough to supply my 347 stroker. Also, the filter downstream of the HP pump takes 5/16" ID hose on both ends, and needs to transition to 1/2" at the bulkhead barb fitting.
So here's my question - what is a practical upper limit to horsepower that my stock RF fuel system (modified to include the solenoids) can handle? My 347 should make north of 425 hp at the crank, and I have a feeling that it wouldn't take much more engine to overwhelm the stock fuel system. I wonder if I should try to find solenoids with larger fittings and if I should look for a bigger HP pump.
Thank you in advance for your help.
On the high-pressure side, the limiting factor seems to be the barb for 5/16" ID hose on the outlet of the pump - the ID of the outlet is more like 3/16". I wonder if that's enough to supply my 347 stroker. Also, the filter downstream of the HP pump takes 5/16" ID hose on both ends, and needs to transition to 1/2" at the bulkhead barb fitting.
So here's my question - what is a practical upper limit to horsepower that my stock RF fuel system (modified to include the solenoids) can handle? My 347 should make north of 425 hp at the crank, and I have a feeling that it wouldn't take much more engine to overwhelm the stock fuel system. I wonder if I should try to find solenoids with larger fittings and if I should look for a bigger HP pump.
Thank you in advance for your help.