2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Vulcan Draw Straw Installed

[Joe Mc]

Fun project. For those considering the larger diameter draw tube to complement the big lines and high psi/vol pumps see the "Pictures and Verbiage" from when I recently did mine in the link below. Although the reason I did the upgrade was due to a fuel line leak, which I caused by disconnecting the old dorman connector too many times to install hose to LP relocate and then later the GFS-392 upgrade, complicated by rusty old lines on the tank module. Enjoy.

Vulcan Draw Straw Install

Please let me know if the link above work's now - thanks.
​

 

[Alphacowboy]

link no worky. .

 

[Joe Mc]

Anyone tried the fix I made to the link yet? Please let me know if it is or isn't working. Thanks.

 

[UP N MTNS]

Anyone tried the fix I made to the link yet? Please let me know if it is or isn't working. Thanks.

It works for me. .

 

[Joe Mc]

Thanks. . . . . . .

 

[Mishkaya]

Joe Mc

Awesome write-up. This is a project on my list of to do's in the next couple of months. Thanks

Mishkaya

 

[Joe Mc]

Just bumping this back up so if anyone is in need to drop tank, install new module or do the draw straw install.

 

[XJJoe01]

Good Job!!!



Did you notice if your fuel pressure changed any and do you have any problems running the tank low on fuel?



Thanks,



Joe

 

[kelly4463]

Joe Mc still did not get my draw straw kit it should have been here thu or fri

still waiting on the big brown truck

I put back brakes on the truck to day it went well Oo.

 

[Joe Mc]

Thanks.
Since I installed the GFS-392 (see link in sig) kit I've been @ 20# idle and no lower than 17 @ WOT, comp on 5-5:-laf. After the draw straw install I didn't see any change in pressure, but knowing the straw is 1/2" versus the stock 1/4" (or whatever) gives me a satisfied feeling that the fuel supply "volume" is enough to keep the GFS pump and the VP happy. I had to uinstall the draw straw because I cracked the old rusty stock line to the module, it was either the $50 draw straw kit or god knows how much for a stock replacement module unit (I've heard they're about $3-4 hundered from the dealer).

As far as capacity/usefull fuel in tank - I just fueled up from "bone" empty today (finally used 1st tank full since install) and I ran it down to under "E" :--). Not sure how many gallons it took as I fuel up from my (eh) own (pinky stuff) fuel tank. However, I usually only get about 385+/- miles per tank (mainly stop go - I mean stop & "Punch" it:-laf driving) and the trip OD read 420 after I filled it. So I ran it pretty low. When you do the install determining the length to cut the straw to is kind of tricky (long explanation / instruction following, but definitly worth the minute read time).

After the module was prepped to receive the new straw, before I "final" cut it for length, I flat cut the bottom of the straw with a PVC tube cutter tool, then installed it into the bottom of the modulre so the billet piece was sticking out the top of the module, roughly 1-1/2 - 2". I then installed the module, new module to tank gasket (for ten bucks don't bother trying to use the old one) in place, tighten the ring by hand, then measured the difference from the top of the module to the bottom of the billet piece and final cut the straw, a "red heads _ hair" longer, at a very slight degree angle. If I could design the straw any different that it is I'd make it so it had a "loop" that fits inside the module, like the stock tube - this way there's a bit of movement if necessary. May not make sense until you look at the spare parts picture at the end of the link. But, so far "it's all good".

Joe Mc

 

[MJaynes]

module to tank gasket

getting parts together for 1/2" from tank to vp. you mentioned a new gasket do you know the part #? also,is it a dodge only part?

thanks,mike

 

[Graphic man]

nice job !!!!!!!!!

 

[Joe Mc]

Mike - I would think it's a DC only part. Just have you VIN when you call as everything goes off of that. Sorry I don't have teh bag it came in - it's a less than $20. 00 part and usually is in stock. Just ask the dealer to check stock and if they don't have it ask them to locate the nearest dealer that does for you.

Thanks G-Man.

 

[MJaynes]

gasket

i'll give 'em a call... great write up. thanks,mike

 

[rweis]

Do you think you could put 2 Draw Straws in a tank? 1 for the RASP (FASS etc) 1 for the lp backup for seperate draws for each one. (I dump my fuel return into the tank filler vent)



Bob Weis

 

[WTBurke]

Joe... thank you for the write up. I just received my Vulcan Draw Straw kit Monday and I will be doing the drop-the-tank procedure on Friday.



Bob, The main 'feed tube' is larger than the return port, but I see no reason why you couldn't fabricate the 'return port' to supply your back-up system.



I noted the black colored 'pipe-dope' used by Vulcan to seal the threads on the 'draw-straw' fitting to be slopped on the blue anodized aluminium head to flake off with just your finger nail scraping the surface. I mention this only because I will clean this off entirely before mounting it so as to prevent this from entering into the diesel fuel. It's not a big deal and just a reminder to those who might be considering this project.



Again Joe, thank you your photos and explanation. It gives me courage to face this project with only one six pack



William

 

[darom]

Joe, thanks for the write-up. Pictures do help a lot.



I noticed in your "Shot of the Lines Between Tank & Rail" image, you installed an inline fuel filter along with the shut-off valve (feeding line?). Are you using it as a simple theft deterrent or for something else?



Thanks!

Den

 

[Joe Mc]

Bob - If I had a "back-up" pump I'd probably use the aux connection to feed it. Although I don't think the tube on the aux goes completely to the tank bottom - so the back-up would only be effective if the tank was full enough to hit the bottome of the tube.

Den - It's a deceiving angle. The thing that looks like a filter in the shot of the lines between the tank & rail is actually the Walbro pump - see GFS-392 link in my signature. And the reason for the ball valve is - I had relocated the stock filter canister when I originally relocated the POS Carter some time back and installed a 2 micron spin on filter when I did the big line & GFS-392 system from Glacier - so the ball valve makes it easy when changing filters (no diesel bath during change out - just open H2O drain on stock filter until fuel flow stops and away you go) it also doubles as a theft deterrent.

 

[VolsFan]

Thanks for the write-up! I got my vulcan draw straw in this week from genos earlier this week(fast shipping as always,ordered sat night, received it tuesday, ga to pa) wanted to put it in today but got strep throat, plus my wife would be ticked off if I put it in since my illness got me out of going to her cousins wedding! Have you had any trouble with sucking air at 1/4 tank or below as I have been seeing posted? I want to figure something out to prevent this before I do the install. I raised the bed on mine, only because I wanted to take care of surface rust issues on the frame. If I ever have to do this again I am dropping the tank.

 

[rweis]

I have been running the DrawStraw for probably 4 years with zero problems. I do live in flat florida however. I would just keep a safe margin of fuel in the tank. I put in a 50 gal bed tank and run until the main is 50% then get about 65 gallons.



You could put in a 15 gallon bed tank and go to 50% and get 30 gallons.