I was wondering what size of fuel line I should be using now that I got the 496. 3/8" or 1/2".

I run 1/2 inch solid aluminum tubing to the motor and a 3/8th inch return line also solid aluminum tubing. I use SAE NPT brass fittings were I can instead of the more expensive AN and stainless steel braided hose because my fuel line is only pressurized to 15 psi, not the 650 psi that it is rated to (it is designed to be return hydraulic tubing for use on an airplane). Under the hood were it shows I use AN fittings and nylon lined high pressure stainless steel braided hose because the alcohol content will rot the natural gum rubber of the regular lines (they are designed to have hydraulic fluid running through them not gasoline or alcohol). I use a Barry Grant adjustable return regulator and a cheap HP 110 gallon per hour no load electric fuel pump (Black). I have an entirely separate gasoline system (fuel cell and plumbing) for the nitrous system which is segregated because I only run racing fuel in it.

Big Dave

how much pressure should I be running to the engine? the bypass regulator I have is the holley 12-083bp set to 7 psi, but adjustable up to 9psi. I am also using a holley black electric fuel pump.
No nitrous or anything will ever see this engine. It is just a 9.5:1 Compression big block.

You got any suggestions on where to get the line and npt fittings?

Motor needs only about 4 psi to a max of 7 psi.

The motor will run all day long at WOT with only 1/2 psi gauge pressure at the float needle and seat if the fuel lines are large enough. You are looking for volume of fuel, not pressure, to fill the bowls and keep the jets covered in fuel without aerating it. Pressure is needed to overcome fluid friction in the fuel line (which decreases as the diameter of the line increases) and the forces of acceleration as the car goes down the track.

Also bear in mind that AN lines are measures of their ID (AN-6 = 3/8th inch ID), but that the AN fittings themselves are very, very restrictive. Use the next size bigger line if you are going to put more than one fitting on each end (an AN-6 fitting has the through put of a 1/4 inch line). AN fittings are designed to seal high pressure hydraulic lines, not pump fuel around. When you are running several hundred psi a momentary restriction will not effect pressure through out the hydraulic system, so they designed them with positive sealing as being of primary importance.

Big Dave

Im not gonna use AN line.
I don't really understand it's sizes, it's very costly, and I understand it can be difficult to get the ends to clamp properly on the end of the braided line.
Sure it looks great, but armor all on a rubber line looks nice too.

Sometimes you have no choice. NHRA rules limit you to exactly six inches of neoprene rubber hose total on your car (the factory uses two inches from the tank to the line, two inches from the line to the motor and two inches to hook up the carb). If you have more than that you don't get to play in their sand box because they say so (they tell you it is because it's their ball but don't let them fool you; it is the insurance company that underwrites sanctioned events that owns the ball).

Big Dave

Great. One more headache.
Anyone wanna buy a nova?:angry:

1/2" aluminum line is about $25, AN fittings (-8) are going to run about $30-$50 for what you'll need.
AN size is in 16ths (-8 = 1/2"...-6 = 3/8"...-10 = 5/8"... you'll get the picture)