I'm in the process of pulling a motor from a 99 and can't figure out how to disconnect the fuel line from the regulator. Do I need a special fuel line removal tool or is there a way to do it manually without damaging it?

 

iirc, you need one of those ford fuel line tools...

 

I've heard of some people who use 2 small screwdrivers, but for a few bucks I'd do it right with the little plastic tool you get from Autozone. A 3 pack assortment is like 5 bucks.

 

Thanks. I told my wife I'd have my answer by the time I finished lunch!

 

I used a little flat blade screwdriver. If you pry one side up and hold it at an angle you can pry the other side up. You just need to get the tab over the retainer ring.

Frank

 

autozone sells a nice kit of anodized aluminum tools for those fittings... I think it cost me $12 and I have yet to see a vehicle that one in the set will not fit.

 

I have a cheap set of plastic tools for those, available at any parts store.
I wouldnt do the screwdriver trick. Thats a good way to break stuff.

 

Just use a screw driver, I have never used the tool and have also never damaged a fuel line from doing so.. But the tool does look easier. Its not like you have to pry on anything, push one tab in and pull the connector sideways so that tap goes past the lip, then push the opposite side while keeping the other off the lip. 2 minutes max

 

Use the proper tool, takes about two seconds. You'll bitch more when you screw up the fittings and wont be able to remove the line. Cant see why someone would hack this one when the tool is so cheap. Mine was about $5 in 1999 and Ive probably cracked open 100+ fuel lines with them.

 

I don't see how its hacking if you do it without damaging anything for free lol. oh well

 

If the white inserts are brittle enough to break with a screwdriver, you didn't want them retaining your fuel lines anyway. They should be replaced.

Frank

 

OK, I just cut the hard line before the line that goes to the regulator, because it's a part-out car and I wanted to get the motor out. Out here, we have to "go to town" to get to an auto parts store. I did get the nice anodized tools today and they do work great. I tried them out after I got home on the stub that I cut off. Thanks for the help.

 

lol. thats one way to do it.