Hey guys, I ran into a problem yesterday while re-installing my fuel rail. I put the secondary on back on and screwed it on no problem. The primary rail was a whole different story. I started to screw in the screws, but they just wouldn't screw in. They would latch onto the thread, spin about a half a turn, get super tight, and then just come off again. I tried screwing in the bolts somewhere else, and the same thing happened. My solution to this would be to just get 2 new bolts from OSH or Home Depot.

If anyone has any advice, or if I may be facing a much larger problem than I think, any input is appreciated.

Thanks!
-Daniel

 

Did you get a chance to examine the threads on both the bolts and the block? I know the primary rail bolts on at a slight angle, but it sounds like the threads may be stripped. Try a pair of replacement bolts and a run a metric tap to clean up the threads.

 

Thanks. I know the rail threads are fine because a different bolt went in fine. Would this problem arise from the bolts being over tightened before?

 

only if they were REALLY over tightened

 

Do you have the plastic spacer between the primary rail and the block? Without that the rail would sit at an angle and you would be trying to cross thread the bolts on installation.

That spacer is a Good Idea, it's a phenolic spacer that keeps the hot cast iron away from the aluminum fuel rail.

Dale

 

Dale, I do have the spacer. Its 1/2 - 1 in thick. Like I said, to make sure that the threads in the rail were ok, I tried using the bolts from the secondary rail, which were longer, and screwed them into the primary rail. They went in fine, so its not about the angle or the threads being worn out.

Thanks for your suggestions guys, I'm open to others until I get some fresh bolts tomorrow.

 

I'm in search of that spacer mine went missing during my engine rebuild, anyone have an extra? I ran into the same issue with the bolts. Double check the threads and put a dot of lube on them when you put them in. Mine locked up on the first two rotations then spin right run. Don't force it and strip an iron.

also if anyone has that spacer out, can you accurately measure the thickness and post it up. I could build a spa er off of that.

 

FFE sells them^ here.