Engine bay fuel line clamps, what type Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

In the refurbishing of the engine bay, I began wondering about the clamps on the fuel lines. The originals, as I recall, were what I call "tension" clamps, sort of "spring loaded" by virue of their shape. I have something similar on my old motorcycle fuel petcock. What they have been replaced with over the years are the typical screwdriver-tightened "hose clamp". The P+A dealer sez the hose clamp is definitely better as they can be "tightened" and don't loose "tension" like the OEM do/did. I don't ever remember the originals getting "weak", as I remember it, they were a nuisance to get off in the first place because they were both so tight, and awkward to access to release the tension they held on the hose.

I'm assuming that the old syle clamps can still be gotten somewhere.

I know what's original here, I'm wondering what's better.

[euro911]

Sorry Tom, I can't provide you with any recommendations for repair facilities.

I typically do my own work, mainly because I don't trust any VW dealership's mechanics any further than I can throw them ... they destroyed my wife's 1999 Beetle before it hit 34k miles.


Except for the injector elbows, all the engine bay's top-side hoses on my wife's 71 appear to have been replaced with 'ribbed' rubber hoses. I'm currently replacing what appear to be the original cloth-covered fuel tank and pump hoses, and installing a new tank screen.


As for a VW dealership providing service for a recall that long ago ... all I can say is good luck. They could probably do it, but I'll bet they'll charge you up the arse.

I'm sure someone from the OC area will pop in and recommend some independent repair shops that can do the job for a reasonable price if you don't plan to do it yourself.