Fuel line in tunnel replacement!??

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:42 am

I removed the original fuel line from the tunnel of my 1970 pan/beach buggy project. Now I need to repalce it with something better. Can I use a regular rubber fuel hose all the way from the tank in front to the engine passing thru the tunnel? Ideas?

jr_vw2 · Post by **jr_vw2** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:48 am

I guess you could use rubber hose but i think oyu would be asking for trouble. I would run steel 3/8" brake line all the way back. you can feed it through the shift rod access hole on the front of the pan head. Put a 90 degree bend on one end of it so you can it it through the original fuel line hole in the tunnel. It is a PAIN but it can be done.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:49 am

I used 1/4" steel line from NAPPA. wasnt as hard as I thought to run it thru a finished pan, tubing bender helps...

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:07 am

If you going to put it back in the tunnel. Don't use steel, get copper like vw used. In afew years that steel will rust out

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:12 am

I disagree with sandtowd. VW changed over to steel form copper. Copper is too soft and will corrode alot faster than steel...:2cents:

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:09 am

I would get some 1/4" stainless tubing and put some 1/4" fuel hose over it to keep it from chafing or rattling in the tunnel.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:59 am

i would also use stainless because it doesnt rust

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:35 am

I don't know what to say, Vw used copper, I go through alot cars each year the only lines I see screwed up, Has been from owner error, There sure is alot of rusted out brake lines

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:01 am

what about a braided fuel hose with a fitting at the frame head and another at the rear in the first half of the frame horn. Then run lines from there.

shaihulud · Post by **shaihulud** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 2:08 pm

I have just finished putting two extra steel fuel lines into the tunnel of my SR, because I am going to fit an EFI engine and I need 3 lines. The original line will be for the charcoal cannister and the new lines are 3/8 for the supply line and 5/16 for the return line. I drilled 2 new holes in the little steel plate at the front, routed the original line through a new hole, fitted the 3/8 line through the original hole and the 5/16 through the other. I fed the 2 new lines through the flange at the end RH side of the rear of tunnel opposite the accelerator and clutch cable tubes. I gave up trying to fit grommets to some of the lines and I have used good quality fuel line held in place with a small hose clamp. The new lines are inside plastic tubing to stop rattles and chafing. After several dummy spits and walkings of the dog to cool down, I got it done. It was one of the most frustration jobs that I have done on the car so far.

DIESELDOOG · Post by **DIESELDOOG** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:10 pm

I know for a fact that one of the Manxters is running braided stainles for the there supply and the factory steel line for the return on the EFI engine.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:27 pm

I guess i went the simple way and mounted braided line to the outside of the tunnel on the passenger side. I can see it and will know if there is a problem. for the most part. there are some nice chrome clips to mount them with .

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:20 am

There was a letter from a reader in the Jan 2006 Hot VW mag about using copper for fuel line replacement. Their comment was that copper tubing does NOT meet DOT standards. It can fatique and crack and then you've got some serious issues, especially if you're running EFI. I think what VW used at one time was copper plated steel, not pure copper, hence the confusion. Stainless would be best for replacement, but what a pain to bend. Good ol' steel fuel line from your FLAPS will probably last the life of the project car. Good luck!

DIESELDOOG · Post by **DIESELDOOG** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 3:00 pm

I am using Stainles in mine but the stuff is about $5.00 a foot plus shipping.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:13 pm

This is where I buy my stainless fuel and brake line tubing http://www.inlinetube.com/ Stainless tubing Description CS-3/16 3/16" stainless tube - 6 feet long $17.70 CS-1/4 1/4" stainless tube - 6 feet long $17.70 CS-5/16 5/16" stainless tube - 6 feet long $17.70 CS-3/8 3/8" stainless tube - 6 feet long $17.70 (For Stainless tube please put an "s" in front of the part number)