The Diesel Stop banner

Fuel Regulator Upgrade w/ Pictures

227K views 172 replies 81 participants last post by  Ford06 
#1 · (Edited)
Yesterday I swapped out the stock regulator spring for the Ford "Blue Spring" upgrade (Motorcraft Part # 3C3Z-9T517-AG).

The truck jumps right off the line now. Very little lag when you jump on the accelerator. Haven't hooked up a Fuel Pressure Gauge yet so I don't know what the pressure was and as soon as I get some extra coin I'm going to get one. I figured it can't hurt to do the upgrade nonetheless.

First thing I did was remove the 3/8" return hose to the degas bottle ( if the engine is warm/hot first release the pressure by unscrewing the cap slooooowly ), then take out the air filter and connection to the turbo which also requires the disconnection of the electrical connector.

Then I disconnected the black plastic Intake Tube and loosened the bottom clamp and swung it up out of the way. Best to do this when the engine is warm so the plastic tube pulls away from the intake elbow a lot easier. Otherwise its tight and you may have to heat it with a hair dryer.

Then rather than disconnect the upper radiator hose, I wrapped a piece of cord around it and dropped it down the engine compartment to the ground. I pulled the hose down out of the way and tied it off to the front receiver. I would have tied it to the tow hook but the Bodiak front receiver is bolted to it.

Now I had clear and easy access to the side of the Secondary Fuel Filter Housing. Remove the fuel filter cap and secondary fuel filter. Get a clean turkey baster and remove as much of the fuel as you can from inside the secondary fuel filter housing. Then disconnect the fuel return line from the regulator cap.

Note: some kits do not contain a new Regulator Cap.

You're gonna need a Torx T27 socket wrench to get the (4) bolts off the side of the secondary fuel filter housing to remove the regulator cap and keep your thumb on it as the spring inside is under tension by the cap. Keep this in mind when you re-install the new regulator cap. Oh yeah, Put a rag under the cap as you remove it as there will be some fuel that will spill out.

Once you get the regulator cap off the side of the secondary fuel filter housing you'll need to put it in a vice to get the threaded fuel line connector off it. Replace the o-ring on the fuel line connector. Remember: Some kits do not contain a new Regulator Cap. You may not have to disconnect the return fuel line to the Regulator Cap to replace the keyhole shaped O-ring. There should be enough play in the line to swing the Regulator Cap away from the Secondary Fuel Filter Housing to get at all the parts.

Once you have installed the new blue spring and brass cup and puppet valve into the side of the secondary fuel filter housing, install the new or the original regulator cap use your thumb to depress the spring tension and tighten the torx bolts (don't tighten the torx bolts too much or they'll snap and you'll have a real big problem on your hands).

Then install the fuel line connector on the side of the new regulator cap. Again, I applied a light coat of clean engine oil to all the o-rings used.

Reverse the dis-assembly process by installing the black plastic intake tube and torque upper and lower clamps to spec, re-install the air filter and related parts and electrical connector, release cord from upper radiator hose, etc. Double check everything.

Cycle the ignition 3 times before you crank it over to make sure you prime the fuel system.

Turned out to be a pretty easy project. Took a couple of hours. Plus I was interrupted by a long phone call (Mom Called). But it was a nice day and the beers were nice and cold. Now the truck runs great. Not that it didn't before but I definitely notice a big difference when I jump on the GO peddle.

On Edit: After installation of a Fuel Pressure Gauge I'm running 70-74Psi at idle and 65-68Psi WOT.

Comments below each photo.


Fuel Regulator Kit 3C3Z-9T517-AG ($51.70 + $9 Shipping from Tousley Ford)
Regulator Kit International Part # 1843065C98
Note: For some reason the new brass cup is not in this picture. Must have been under the bag or the piece of paper.



3/8" Return Line to Degas Bottle Disconnected, Air Filter Removed, Intake Tube Disconnected and Upper Radiator Hose Pulled Down.



Secondary Fuel Filter Housing. Filter Housing Cap Removed, Secondary Filter & Fuel Removed. Return Fuel Line Disconnected.



Regulator Cap Removed, Stock Spring, Brass Cup that the Spring goes into and other nylon part (puppet valve?) with an o-ring on the back side of it to be removed.


Parts to be replaced have been removed from swcondary fuel filter housing. Make sure you replace the brass cup that goes into the fuel filter housing that the blue spring goes into.


Old regulator cap with fuel filter connector removed. You need to put the regulator cap in a vice and remove the connector with a socket wrench. Then replace the o-ring with the one that came with the kit. Coat the new o-ring with some clean engine oil. Remeber: Some kits do not contain a new Regulator Cap. If this is your case by pass this step.


New "Blue Spring" & Stock Spring Side By Side and the old brass cup.



New Regulator Cap Installed with other new internal parts. Install the return fuel line connector with new o-ring at this point and reconnect return fuel line. Reverse the process now by reinstalling the secondary fuel filter, cover, plastic intake tube (torque to specs), air filter, etc. and remove cord from radiator hose. Double/Triple check everything then Cycle ignition 3 times to prime fuel system before cranking engine.



Old Parts Removed



Now get out there and do it


.
 
See less See more
10
#2 ·
Great post and good pics:thup:, (are you ever going to pull in that fish):lol:
2 stroker:ford:
 
#7 ·
Thanks guys. It's running great. I just wanted to give back something to the site in return for all the great info that others have posted.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I put some clear nail polish on the threads of the new bolts (i couldn't find my tube of loc-tite). I noticed that International put some on the end of the factory bolt threads when i pulled them out. So it's probably a good idea to put a bit of either on the threads of the new bolts when you re-install them.

I had my little wife do that for me while I held my thumb on the cup during the re-install. I told her, "See honey there IS actually a good use for that stuff"

:lol:


.
 
#8 ·
great write up...is this the only spring upgrade or is there an aftermarket? also, did any of the trucks come with this kit factory. mine is a 2007 and I would hate to buy a kit only to notice the spring coming out was blue too.
 
#9 ·
Very very nice Band_Member! This will help alot of people with that task.

Boost_Freak: I am pretty sure that this is a newer release than the 2007 model year. It is to correct/better maintain fuel pressure as compared to the stock spring that will fatigue over time, some of them have allowed the fuel pressure to fall dangerously low. Thats not to say that this spring will not fatigue, but it is set to a higher pressure to start off with and my GUESS would be that it probably would not allow the pressure to drop below the 45lb threshold. Thats my theory and I'm sticking to it.
 
#10 ·
"Once you get the side cup off you'll need to put it in a vice to get the threaded fuel line connector out. Replace the o-ring and install it in the new cup. I applied a light coat of clean engine oil to all the o-rings used."

Great write up and pics! I wanted to ask why it is necessary to remove the threaded fuel line connector off?
 
#11 · (Edited)
To be able to connect the fuel line to the new regulator cover.
To be more descriptive, look at the cover in the second pic, it shows the fuel line connected to the cover you remove, the third pic shows all fuel lines disconnected, in the fourth pic the fuel line that connects to the new cover is furthest to the right, the sixth pic shows the fuel line and you can tell where that fitting needs to go to connect the line to the cover.
 
#13 ·
Oh, for sure there are aftermarket kits. Some of which will boost the fuel pressure higher than what it should be, potentially causing harm to your injectors. Your pressure should not be much more than 70-72 with this kit, which is on the high end of the scale, but since Ford (although its probably really an International part) recommends and sells this kit. One would believe that there is little chance of over pressure, if installed correctly. Its pretty tough to screw this up and it is very straight forward. The kit even comes with the diagram showing which part goes where, you can see it in the first pic.
 
#14 ·
Could I please ask why did you have to replace the regulator cover? I thought, maybe incorrectly, I read the old cover was reused and only the fuel line needed to be removed. I will be doing this soon so if I need to be corrected that will be fair. Thanks in advance.
 
#16 ·
Thats a good question, one that I am not fully prepared to answer.
I had the whole oil/fuel filter housing off my truck for other purposes when I did this. I used the new cover solely because it was new and I figured I paid for it, why not use it. I don't see where it would make much of a difference, really. They look to be identical. Ensure to replace the rubber "keyhole" o-ring and my guess is that it would be fine.
 
#17 ·
Can anyone tell me the part # for the blue spring kit from IH.I am having a hard time finding it any where.
 
#21 ·
Thanks ex mounty,I phoned my nearby International Dealer and they could not find a cross part #.So after hearing $78 + change from the local Ford Dealer I went and placed my order with Tousley Ford.
 
#20 ·
Ok, thanks, I didn't realize the kit included a new cover. Just ordered mine from Tousley Ford. Here is the part # for those of you that don't have it:3C3Z-9T517-AG
 
#22 · (Edited)
Regarding the regulator cover there could be a minute difference with it as opposed to the original one. It's a good question but I really don't have an answer.

It comes with the kit so there must be a reason for it. Only takes a few extra minutes to swap it out. So why not do it ?

Btw, went for a trip inland today and noticed a big difference in responsiveness on the GO peddle. Not much lag. The roads were wet so I really couldn't get on it but the truck seems to run much, much better.
 
#23 ·
great write up !... I have spent the entire morning searching all the forums and this thread is by far the best one i've read.

I noticed a leak under my 06 F250 at lunchtime yesterday. Unfortunately I made the decision to drop the truck off at the dealership and have them repair what it was that causing the fuel leak. Had I known what i know now last night, i would have repaired this myself.

Again, GREAT WRITE UP !
 
#24 ·
MY blue spring kit came today.Quick question,does the blue O ring in the kit slide on to the brass cup.I'll know when I remove it from the fuel regulator and exchange out everything.I just can't tell for sure just looking at the kit instructions.There is a small black O ring already on the brass cup.
 
#26 ·
Yup.The photo shows it plain as day.The instructions do not.All though the kit does say to refer to engine service manual for assembly instructions.Thanks for the quick reply.
 
#27 ·
Thank You for taking the time to take pictures and write this up!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
#28 ·
Great thread, I just installed mine today and your pictures told me everything I needed to expect!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top