Need help removing the fuel rail!
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 62
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From: Germantown, MD, USA
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Auto
Need help removing the fuel rail!
I am currently in the process of replacing the stock fuel injectors of my '89 IROC. I am not the most skilled mechanic and I don't have all the most convenient tools out there, but I have the desire and determination to get this done myself and save about one grand from what the auto shop wanted to do this. I am only using a Haynes manual to assist me with this. Unfortunately, it appears that Haynes used the 5.0L engine in their description and pictures under the section for "V8 Models". The 5.7L doesn't have a cold start injector and the fuel line fittings and bracket are not the same either.
I am currently at the point where I need to remove the fuel line fittings from their sleeves and remove the bracket that holds the sleeves from the engine block. The problem is that I can't remove the 9/16" bracket bolt completely without removing the 5/8" fuel line fittings completely from their sleeves. I have unscrewed the fittings as much as possible but can't get them completely out of their sleeves. With the fuel lines being so rigid, the sleeves being welded to the bracket and the bracket still bolted into the engine, there isn't any play whatsoever so that I can completely disconnect them and thus pull the entire fuel rail off the car.
I was thinking about prying up the injectors and trying to lift the fuel rail up a bit to get some more clearance but I don't want to cause any damage anywhere and make things worse for myself.
I know there has to be a better way to do this and it is probably rather obvious but I am just not sure how to proceed. The photo I have included shows the unscrewed fuel line fittings and the the bracket bolt unscrewed as much as possible behind the left fuel line. I would really appreciate some advice on the best way to finally get this fuel rail off the car. This has been more time consuming than I imagined it would be after reading the Haynes manual before starting this project.
I am currently at the point where I need to remove the fuel line fittings from their sleeves and remove the bracket that holds the sleeves from the engine block. The problem is that I can't remove the 9/16" bracket bolt completely without removing the 5/8" fuel line fittings completely from their sleeves. I have unscrewed the fittings as much as possible but can't get them completely out of their sleeves. With the fuel lines being so rigid, the sleeves being welded to the bracket and the bracket still bolted into the engine, there isn't any play whatsoever so that I can completely disconnect them and thus pull the entire fuel rail off the car.
I was thinking about prying up the injectors and trying to lift the fuel rail up a bit to get some more clearance but I don't want to cause any damage anywhere and make things worse for myself.I know there has to be a better way to do this and it is probably rather obvious but I am just not sure how to proceed. The photo I have included shows the unscrewed fuel line fittings and the the bracket bolt unscrewed as much as possible behind the left fuel line. I would really appreciate some advice on the best way to finally get this fuel rail off the car. This has been more time consuming than I imagined it would be after reading the Haynes manual before starting this project.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 3
From: Arab, Alabama
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 4BBL
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Need help removing the fuel rail!
At the other end of the tubes that you have unbolted is a bracket clamp shown below. Remove it and you can wiggle out the tubes one at a time.
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