1987 Silverado 454 TBI to carb fuel return line, can I cap it off?

[Indianoutlaw454]

Hey guys, I got an 87 R20 Silverado with a 454. I was giving a carb for free and it turned out to be a Holley 2300. I'm trying to do this as absolutely dirt cheap as I can. I grabbed an adapter plate and slapped it all on but when I got to the fuel lines it stumped me on what to do with the return line. The factory pump went out and I don't have the means to drop the tank so I put a low pressure inline pump in so I'm running factory fuel lines without a regulator. Any and all advice is welcome!

 

[nvrenuf]

A return line will extend the life of an electric pump because dead heading it will make it work harder (pushing against back pressure). A regulator is the best set up to be sure you aren’t pushing too much at the carb, without it you’re just guessing.

 

[Ricko1966]

Use a fuel filter for a 1969 camaro big block car,it has in out and return. A wix 33041 has one also if you can find 1. You could use a tee fitting instead of the fuel filter,straight side to the carbureator,side shoot to the return line,you will have to put a restrictor in that line a piece of brass with a .070 hole in it or a small engine fuel shut off valve. That,you'll have to play with to find the right amount of open to supply the carb,but bleed excess back to the tank. Here's a pic of the Camaro fuel filter,the line with the U shape is the return. It mounts on a bracket mounted off the water pump. I found a super cheap newer version. I'll try to find the part number. It's the second pic,you will have to make sure it has a restrictor.

 

[Ricko1966]

I don't know how you have your pump wired, but if you use a 4 prong relay terminal 30 to battery,terminal 87 to fuel pump, terminal 85 to starter solenoid signal wire, number 86 to ground. Use a 2 prong normally open oil pressure switch 1 side connected to terminal 30 the other side connected to terminal 87. The fuel pump will run when the starter is cranked and continue to run as long as you have oil pressure. The pump will turn off if the engine dies or you just have the key in the run position.