Steel fuel lines, could these be original Options

[swl]

OK folks I've had a blonde moment here and got myself in a situation where I may have to replace the return fuel line. I've been staring at it scratching my head when I realized that the lines in the engine bay are the normal nylon but by the time we get to the front trunk they are steel. If the joint between the two of them is accessible I may be able to fix our blunder. Everything I've read and seen here says the plastic goes all the way to the front. I've had a look with an inspection mirror but can't see where the joint might be.

#1. Is this a stock config? I've owned this car since 74 and can assure you that I haven't replaced the lines. Perhap the original owner did but it seem a little far fetched to do it on a new car.

#2. If this is a familiar setup can you tell me where to look for the joint. I would suspect the firewall but don't see anything there.

#3. Just in case. The front rubber grommet - how does it come out. It looks like it wants to push out from the inside. Any hints on how to do this without buggering up the grommet.

Steve

[swl]

I'm truly in awe of what you and some of the others have done. I must admit that you guys have given me a real strong desire to do this thing right - strip it down to the bare tub. Fix every bit of rust. POR the crap out of it and send it to the best paint shop in town. Redo all the rubber - the whole enchillada.

But then reality sets in. I have a very small garage. We are working outside now so it is comfortable but soon we'll have to move inside and there is no room to do rustoration in the garage - basic work only. I have no welding equipment or experience. No compressor. We are also working on a bit time line. My son and I have talked it over and what we have agreed on goes something like this.

First priortity is to get it running. If the engine blows up then the project is dead and we pass the car on to someone with more resources. All we have done back there is fuel pump, lower fuel lines and all the air hoses.

Second priority it to get it safe. We've started doing the brakes - rebuilding calipers, new rotors, flex lines. Maybe master cylinder - haven't got that far yet. Going to need shocks/strut cartridges too - still have the originals on.

Third priority - stop the rust. Even if we run out of money with the project the car is really worth saving. We are going to get all the old sound deadening material off and POR everything we can see rust or possibility of rust on.

This winter we want to send the tub down to Mikes 914s and have him do the type of metal repair you have done. We'll do all the prep work to keep the cost down. I've spoken to a couple of guys who have used him and they all rave about his work. We'll get a paint job done, then reassemble and put her on the road this spring.

Thanks for the help with the fuel line. What we really need here is the worlds smallest rotorooter! Devon had already got about an inch of movement when he twisted the wire off so it has to be just about out. Never the less I think I'm going to bite the bullet and take the line out. Probably be less agro in the long run.

Cover me - I'm going in. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ar15.gif)