I need to replace the short fuel lines which connect on one end to the lines that run through the tunnel, and to the fuel tank on the other end. Thought I'd ask here before calling/driving all of the place. Would my FLAPS have them?

Thanks

7mm and 8mm - go to a VW parts house locally

Otherwise, the usual suspects ... AA, Pelican Parts, GPR, etc .

Perfect, thanks!

Actually, it's 7.5mm and 9mm. The Cap'n

Just my $.02, but I'd go with rubber lines rather than the cloth covered ones as many people here (including myself) have reported that they weep gas, and the fumes that go with it.

Hmmm....who to believe, who to believe?


I was just thinking about that, actually. Would such hoses be more readily available? Would they be more prone to kinking?

Yes, readily available at any parts house.

Note there is an important difference between fuel line sufficient for carbs (low pressure) versus what you need for FI (high pressure).

Ahhhh, interesting. Thanks for mentioning that, I didn't realize that was the case. My car's got he stock FI, so I'll ask for high pressure at my FLAPS. Do you happen to know rating numbers? I'll check my Haynes manual too.

BTW, saw your sig ~ I will soon be parting with the stock HEs and muffler from my '74. PM me if you're interested. I'm in Bend ~ nearer Seattle than most, right?

I don't. But when I replaced all mine there were only two options for fuel line at my local parts house - High pressure FI, or not. Brace yourself though - the high pressure stuff is WAY more expensive!

Where is your fuel pump? If it hasn't been relocated up front (if the fuel pump is still located in the engine compartment), then you don't need the high pressure lines between the tank and the pump.

Given that a '74 is over 30 years old, I would recommend replacing the lines in the tunnel. The plastic parts get hard and brittle and the peace of mind of new fuel lines is priceless.

Who to believe? Me, because: (A) I know of what I speak, and ( Because the hose is hanging on the wall behind me and I double checked the size tags.

IME, it's difficult to find true 7 or 7.5 mm hose, not to mention 9mm, in most FLAPS. They'll have 8mm, which is too loose, and 3/8ths, which is wrong.

If your plastic lines are OK to the rear of the tunnel, where they turn to the right, they're VERY likely to be fine inside the tunnel. They only get brittle in the heat of the engine compartment environment.

The Cap'n

Listen to the Cap'n.

My personal experience: When I replaced my fuel lines (the rubber, not the tunnel lines) I took pieces of the old stuff to my FLAPS and they had FI line in stock that matched sizes. Maybe I was just lucky.

Just to put some precision on the american sizes.
3/8=9.52
5/16=7.94
1/4=6.35

Those aren't very close to anything we need - expectially on the high pressure side.

Loud and clear guys, thanks again!

That's my understanding as well, can someone else confirm this? (no offense Ken)

Exactly right. No FLAPS had metric at all. Finally found a VW mechanic who had both in bulk and was able to cut me just the lengths I need. Now I'd just like to confirm that first point up there before I install, since I didn't buy the high-pressure stuff. I'm pretty sure it'll be fine though, looks just like what I pulled from the car.

Thanks again

OE style VW hose is fine. Probably good to twice what you need, which is what it should be. The Cap'n

I've heard this before (several times) & have to take issue with it.

My first lines went almost 20 years without changing. I've since realized that wasn't th smartest thing to do. So, I change them every 5 years now.

In the 35 years I've owned this 914, I've NEVER had a problem with "weeping". Quite frankly, if you have such a problem, you probably need to tighten some clamps. Taliking about fuel ines here, not injector weeping (diffrent story).

If you MAINTAIN these lines, like evrything else, you should never had a problem.

If you disregard them, you're setting yourself up to watch your 914 go up in flames!