Plastic fuel lines, Keep or ditch Options

[930cabman]

I see a few companies are selling new stainless steel fuel lines, new fuel lines on our 50 years old cars is generally not a bad idea, but how about if they appear to be in good condition? The feed line on our car is about 10mm OD with a 1mm wall. While we are in there should they be replaced for good measure.

Thanks

[ClayPerrine]

I see a few companies are selling new stainless steel fuel lines, new fuel lines on our 50 years old cars is generally not a bad idea, but how about if they appear to be in good condition? The feed line on our car is about 10mm OD with a 1mm wall. While we are in there should they be replaced for good measure.

Thanks

The plastic fuel lines grow brittle with age. When they rupture, you get an engine fire.

Been there, done that. Don't want to have another engine fire.

Replace them with the Tangerine racing kit. It fits well and works great.

Clay

[Mark Henry]

Bit of two sides of the fence for this question, some like Capt Crusty (rip) and myself believe if the lines are in good condition, in a good condition car, then they are fine to leave alone.
But in your case extensive strucual metal repairs and the lines have been removed or molested I agree that replacement is prudent.

[930cabman]

From what I can tell everything appears ok, but for a hundred or so dollars why risk a chance for a fuel leak. I salvaged a short piece from the engine compartment and seems fine, but who knows what has happened inside the tunnel or at the ends where the lines enter/leave the tunnel. By nature I am a risk taker, but not with pressurized fuel.

[914Sixer]

The 75-76 cars had a completely different material and are less prone to failure. With that being said my 75 lines were good through tunnel BUT brittle from the firewall turn to engine shelf. The fuel pressure is 28-30 lbs and you are correct, there is a chance of failure.

[Mark Henry]

From what I can tell everything appears ok, but for a hundred or so dollars why risk a chance for a fuel leak. I salvaged a short piece from the engine compartment and seems fine, but who knows what has happened inside the tunnel or at the ends where the lines enter/leave the tunnel. By nature I am a risk taker, but not with pressurized fuel.

If you moved your pump to the front then yes one line has 30psi pressure. If your pump is still in the engine bay then the the tank lines front to rear are not pressurized. FI systems are only pressurized from the pump to the regulator, the feed and return lines are not pressurized.

Other points:
Only use FI hose clamps.
Use only FI rated hose, I used to say you can use low pressure hose on the low pressure parts of the system and you could, but I just use FI hose throughout now.
Use proper grommets wherever tube or hose passes through drilled holes in chassis metal.

[BillJ]

I just refreshed the whole system from tank to engine. When i pulled the lines (75) they looked fine so that was a comfort but it is cheap insurance when you are investing time already in the car. Why risk it? I considered selling the lines with how great they looked but no way i would want someone to trust their car to old lines.

[930cabman]

I just refreshed the whole system from tank to engine. When i pulled the lines (75) they looked fine so that was a comfort but it is cheap insurance when you are investing time already in the car. Why risk it? I considered selling the lines with how great they looked but no way i would want someone to trust their car to old lines.

It sounds simple/safe/smart, but looks like a pita job. The lines appear pre bent and how do we snake these through the tunnel?

Whose new lines are preferable? Pelican, Tangerine, 914 Rubber? car will be probably running D or L jet

[BillJ]

I had a second pair of hands so that helped for sure. Install from the engine bay side and guide them through center tunnel. Just take your time. Took us about 10 minutes all together taking it slow.

[windforfun]

Bit of two sides of the fence for this question, some like Capt Crusty (rip) and myself believe if the lines are in good condition, in a good condition car, then they are fine to leave alone.
But in your case extensive structural metal repairs and the lines have been removed or molested I agree that replacement is prudent.

"73 1.7 & mine are still soft & pliable.

[Amphicar770]

I just refreshed the whole system from tank to engine. When i pulled the lines (75) they looked fine so that was a comfort but it is cheap insurance when you are investing time already in the car. Why risk it? I considered selling the lines with how great they looked but no way i would want someone to trust their car to old lines.

It sounds simple/safe/smart, but looks like a pita job. The lines appear pre bent and how do we snake these through the tunnel?

Whose new lines are preferable? Pelican, Tangerine, 914 Rubber? car will be probably running D or L jet

Mine came from Tangerine.

I had same concern but, like others it was a 10 minute job without help. Once you have the orientation right they kind of navigate themselves.

I am not sure if this was the 914 or another vehicle but, I have vague recollection of tying a long string to end of original line and then attaching that to same end of new line to help guide through the grommets.

For me, the hardest part was getting the tank back in without crimping the fuel hose.

[930cabman]

I just refreshed the whole system from tank to engine. When i pulled the lines (75) they looked fine so that was a comfort but it is cheap insurance when you are investing time already in the car. Why risk it? I considered selling the lines with how great they looked but no way i would want someone to trust their car to old lines.

It sounds simple/safe/smart, but looks like a pita job. The lines appear pre bent and how do we snake these through the tunnel?

Whose new lines are preferable? Pelican, Tangerine, 914 Rubber? car will be probably running D or L jet

Mine came from Tangerine.

I had same concern but, like others it was a 10 minute job without help. Once you have the orientation right they kind of navigate themselves.

I am not sure if this was the 914 or another vehicle but, I have vague recollection of tying a long string to end of original line and then attaching that to same end of new line to help guide through the grommets.

For me, the hardest part was getting the tank back in without crimping the fuel hose.

Thanks, after looking into it a little and then feedback I will order the kit from Tangerine.
I can recall years ago when an Amphicar could be had on the cheap, but what wasn't?

[mepstein]

If you lube the stainless line so it slips through the rubber grommet at the firewall (wd40 is fine) and have a spotter in the cabin with a flashlight, it's an easy 5 minute job.

[bbrock]

As usual, @iankarr has a nice video on the installation. It really is an easy task even if done solo. BTW, I got my SS lines from member @Rotary914


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFsZoI_W3g

[930cabman]

As usual, @iankarr has a nice video on the installation. It really is an easy task even if done solo. BTW, I got my SS lines from member @Rotary914


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFsZoI_W3g

Watched it last night, placed an order for the kit from Tangerine this morning. Simple

We have a few other older sporting cars in the stable, it has been on my list for years to change out all the fuel and brake lines ....

[jhynesrockmtn]

As usual, @iankarr has a nice video on the installation. It really is an easy task even if done solo. BTW, I got my SS lines from member @Rotary914


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFsZoI_W3g

Watched it last night, placed an order for the kit from Tangerine this morning. Simple

We have a few other older sporting cars in the stable, it has been on my list for years to change out all the fuel and brake lines ....

I just did this on my 1970. Had the tank re-done, new SS lines from Tangerine and all new rubber lines everywhere including engine compartment. It was time consuming but not bad. I did the tank to firewall lines by myself with a lift. It took a bit to get them through there but not terrible. You do have to take quite a bit of stuff apart. I'm a pro now at removing my seat, pedal board, steering wheel, etc. :-) My biggest issue was dealing with the plumbing from tank to pump (re-located to front by PO) to avoid kinking the hose. I put a new two port pump in. The PO had someone re-locate the 3 port and it was literally zip tied to the steering rack. Tangerine sells a proper two port pump mount. For me having seen my rubber injector hoses leak and knowing how old the car is, it was a no brainer. Cheap insurance in my opinion.

[Mr.Nobody]

If you like your car, replace them. Cheap insurance to avoid catastrophe.

https://youtu.be/Oq8OyuQAg7k

[preach]

That is a plastic fuel Y on a 13yo Cayman that cracked due to age. That Y happens to be directly over my header on the drivers side.

I got lucky.

Imagine your plastic at 50yo...

[ctc911ctc]

Don't even think about this - go stainless now!

[930cabman]

Don't even think about this - go stainless now!

Done, a new kit from Tangerine is on the way.