Chuck Schreiber

Finally got around to finishing the last (hopefully) fuel line on the 79 this past weekend. The car had been sitting in the garage since May and It was time to get her up and running. Trying to Document as best I can (Trying to live up to the Great Dwayne writeups) I've posted and documented the process.

I originally had all the fuel lines rebuilt by classic tube. Of the 4 I had done, 2 sprang leaks in less than 2 years. I had one rebuilt at their expense, but when the second one gave out, I decided to use Roger's method of using high pressure EFI line and clamps. According to Roger, the line and clamps are good to somewhere close to 180 psi operating range (Roger Correct me if I'm way off) which is well north of the pressure the CIS system will deliver. The line that I rebuilt is the external pump to the accumulator. Even early OBs differ greatly so 78s and later model 79s will be different. (My 928 is a 1979 -car#70 off the line)

The following will be the pic of the fuel line which has a banjo fitting at the pump (external) connected to a rubber line that goes up and over the pass side rear wheel well. This is covered by a thick foam tube that was pretty much toast. The rubber line terminates into a pre-bent hard line that connects to the accumulator/filter assembly.

Here's a pic of the line.

Chuck Schreiber

The first thing to do was to remove the 2 hard lines from the old rubber line.
The dremmel is pretty fast as it took about 1 minute per side. I did the banjo bolt side (pump side) first, followed by the accumulator side. Start by slicing into the crimp and repeat a few millimeters lateral and pull back the first strip. Repeat again and the bend back the metal tabs you've created until they fatigue and break off. Slit the hose and pull out the hard line. Again, took about a minute a side. Make sure not to go too deep as you will damage your hardline!!

Chuck Schreiber

Next,
I reinstalled the hardline for the accumulator/filter assembly. I use teflon tape. Some folks poo poo it, but I've had great luck with it. Keeps everything from leaking and its a snap to get the threads apart later. I used it the last 2 times on the fuel filter and it went several years between changes. Stopped the fuel leaks at the threads and was still easy to get off when time to change. Anyhoo, here is assembly going back in the pass side rear wheel well. Then all buttoned up and ready for the new line.

Chuck Schreiber

Next thing to do is run the hose itself. (Pictured is the EFI hose) As I mentioned earlier the 79 had a foam type of cusion around the fuel line all the way around the wheel well to keep it from getting damaged by flying debris, etc. As this was no longer available I had to find something else that would do.
I happened across some insulation for the pipes on hot water heaters at Home Depot and grabbed the smallest diameter that had. I snaked the fuel line down the inside of the foam sheath and got it ready to run from the pump to the accumulator. I didn't capture it, but I had to trim about half an inch off the diameter of the foam to get it to fit snuggly around the fuel line. Here's pics of line and foam.

Chuck Schreiber

Ok,
Homestretch, now to run and connect the actual fuel line. I started from the tank side. On my particular setup, you need to snake the fuel line (with cushioned outer sheath) up and around the fenderwell, through some metal loops and finally attach to accumulator line. I also used some padded clamps to hold the line in place toward the rear of the fenderwell near the tank. The loops pretty much held everything in place pretty tight, but I used some heavy duty zip ties to hold together some of the areas that seemed to want to come apart. Clamps are the EFI stainless series. Attached hose and clamp to pump and that's pretty much it.

One important thing I failed to mention. I had to unbolt 3 of the 4 tank straps to get the strap to come down far enough to get access to the the line and remove the line. It actually snakes up a channel from the pump to the fenderwell. Once everything was lined up, just bolted everything back together.

Chuck Schreiber

Last but not least, I checked for leaks. I let the car run for about 15 minutes before puting the service cover and fenderwell cover back on. I then drove around for about 1/2 hr making sure again that there were no leaks. Nothing under car the next day either.

I really need to get the car out and run it now and will probably get a chance to do it this coming weekend. (Hopefully make the DFW breakfast??!!) I will eventually finish the other lines the same way as I did this one even though they are not that old.

Finally, the SilverBulit sees the light of day after almost 9 months in hibernation.

SharkSkin

Wow Chuck, that car is pristine! I need to go back to my writeup and photoshop some cad plating onto the hardware!

I'm glad it worked out for you. Almost too easy.

soontobered84

Nice writeup Chuck!

WallyP

Super job, super documentation, and a beautiful car!

V-Fib

Outfreakingstanding!

Tony

Looks good Chuck...

Instead of the foam, perhaps get some rubber hose whose inside diamter is just a bit bigger than the OD of the fuel line? Probably will provide better protection?

Ive rebuilt just about every one of my lines on my car so far..
Tranny cooler lines...oil cooler...not hard to do. Just get good rated hose ...take them to a shop if you can to be crimped on. If not use good clamps and a dab of blue loctite to secure the threads on the clamps. (dont use the worm type)

get some GTS mirrors for that bad boy!

SeanR

Nice write up Chuckles. Well done.

Chris

Great article, nice work !

Chris

LT Texan

great write up Chuck. What size EFI hose did you use?

docmirror

Aircraft grade work. Well done. BTW, I think the working pressure of the hose is 180-ish. the burst pressure is prolly around 400PSI.

Suh-weet.