General Questions, First time owner needs some help. Options

[golfcart]

I'm popping my cherry on this post! After lurking on this forum and watching many used car sites, I finally found and purchased my first 914. I must say that that the information and help found on this, and related sites, gave me the confidence at least to think I'll be able to keep a 36 year old car running. Like many of you, I hope to perform most of the maintenance and repairs myself ... short of engine/transaxle re-builds and significant body work.

As I've come to realize, most of you are interested in the car itself. It's a 1971 1.7L, Canary Yellow. I've registered it on this site. Purchased for $4,000 and I already have an additional $500.00 in it for spares, tools, trim, etc. The car spent most of its life in Florida (til 1989) moved to Michigan, PA, MD, and is now in PA. Yeah, I know ... no pics today.

The good: fairly complete w/fuel injection, only surface rust from what I can tell except for two holes in the hell hole, 50 cent piece size. Pulled the original steel rockers and I was amazed ... hardly any surface rust, let alone any through holes. Runs strong and drives well compared to others I drove (I'm sure I have not driven the best).

The bad: not the best cosmetics, paint, interior, wheels (original chrome steel with some surface rust). Needs rear springs (rear sag) and probably rear rotors and caliper rebuilds. Oil leaks! I leave my mark where I stop! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif)

My goal is to have a reliable weekend car. Budget is limitted. Does not have to be the prettiest, but must run and drive well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

So here's the help I need today.

I had a rubber fuel line split on me, luckily it was when I started the car to check something. Scary! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) I replaced the one that split and now I want to tackle the others. What's the deal with the the clear fuel lines? Can I just replace them with rubber lines? I have clear lines going into rubber lines with clamps. Are these clamped line to line, or is there some sort of metal sleeve in there?

I have a brown wire and a green wire with spade connectors in the engine compartment that go no where. They come off of the wiring harness for the distributer. I don't have a heater fan. I think the green fed the heater fan ... correct? How about the brown one?

Finally, the rubber sheath on a section of the steering wheel has delaminated from the steel rim. Anyone ever restore this? I'm thinking of using a syringe to inject an adhesive in there. Anyone ever do this? Suggested adhesive? Any other suggestions for repairing this.

[SirAndy]

So here's the help I need today.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

- check the plastic fuel lines and see if the ends are hard and brittle. the plastic should still be somewhat plyable. if not, cut them back or replace the lines with a set of stainless steel lines. (see the member vendors section).
*ONLY* use the correct fuel injection rubber hose for your fuel lines on the engine! get the correct metric sizes at your local VW shop. and make sure you get the correct fuel injection hose clamps as well.
don't cheap out on this, a burning car is no fun to watch ...

- green and brown out of the engine harness is power (green) and ground (brown) for the heater blower fan.
if you don't have a fan, just make sure the two don't shorten out anywhere.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy

[golfcart]

So here's the help I need today.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

*ONLY* use the correct fuel injection rubber hose for your fuel lines on the engine! get the correct metric sizes at your local VW shop. and make sure you get the correct fuel injection hose clamps as well.
don't cheap out on this, a burning car is no fun to watch ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy

Thanks for everyone'e reply. I went to the local AutoZone and purchased their standard rubber fuel line. It appeared to be re-inforced and heavier walled than the one I removed. No good? I did use fuel injection clamps. What material are the clear fuel lines made out of? Are they still available?

No one has addressed my question about how the two fuel (rubber to clear) lines are fastened together.

A note to Zach, we've "spoken" before. I sent an e:mail to your office address ... let me know if you need help sanding.

Thanks again.

[Gint]

Thanks for everyone'e reply. I went to the local AutoZone and purchased their standard rubber fuel line. It appeared to be re-inforced and heavier walled than the one I removed. No good? I did use fuel injection clamps. What material are the clear fuel lines made out of? Are they still available?

No one has addressed my question about how the two fuel (rubber to clear) lines are fastened together.

A note to Zach, we've "spoken" before. I sent an e:mail to your office address ... let me know if you need help sanding.

Thanks again.

If it's FI rubber hose line it's fine. Provided it's the correct metric size of course.

Hose clamp junction rubber to plastic. It's just a hose clamp. With fresh rubber FI line and pliable plastic line in decent condition, you'll find that the rubber line is a little bit of a chore to put on the plastic line and a snugged up hose clamp is more than enough to hold the required pressure.

I don't believe the plastic lines are available. A member here named "Racer Chris" sells replacement lines in steel. Do a search for "+fuel +lines" and you'll find lots of information.

Here's an example of a search:

Search results for "+fuel +line*" in subject only.

Here's a link to Racer Chris' resource forum thread for replacement fuel lines.