Hey to the board! I am preparing to replace the metal fuel lines from the gas tank to the engine and the return line also. I have not even been under the car yet. I wondered if anyone could tell me if I will have to drop the tank to do this work. Also, is there any need to consider replacing the tank straps. The car came from northern ohio, and has a good deal of surface rust on everything underneath. I it is normal to replace the straps, I need to go ahead and order some. I understand there is also a metal return 'vapor' line to the tank also. Can anyone tell me if it is worth replacing it too? How important is it? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

You shouldn't have to drop the tank to swap the fuel lines out. Why are you changing them?

As for the fuel tank, I'd be more worried about the condition inside than outside.

 

Well, the car is an 85 T/A, with about 95k miles on it. It has been driven fairly regularly. I have replaced the fuel filter, and rechecked it, and it looks really clean, so I think the tank is okay. I haven't had any fuel delivery trouble, so at this time I don't have any reason to have any doubts about the tank.

As for the reason for replacing the 'hard' lines, well, it all started when I had a metal brake line blow out underneath the car. I crawled under the car and saw than the brake line runs in a 'bunch' with the fuel lines from front to back of car. All of the lines were very, very scaley with rust. I bought new brake lines and let the shop put them on for me. When I got the car back, I noticed that one of the metal lines to or from the gas tank was leaking gas. I could see that it was from where the shop had removed the lines from their mounting clips to get to the brake line when they replaced it. So I know these lines are in bad shape. I just don't know how they are attached to the tank, and how hard they will be to get to.

 

Gotta love it when one fix creates another problem..Id say while ur under there just replace it all if its economically reasonable for ya...the tank straps though...only if they are really bad..if they just need to be sanded down and painted that could work too

 

you can buy all the lines from places like classic industries, classic tube, finelines. ect I would HIGHLY recommend spending the extra money and getting stainless lines. What induction does the car have ? carb or FI. My 86 was carb so 2 fuel lines ran over top of the trans and over to the passengerside, they would be very hard to replace with the drivetrain still in the car.

 

Oh man!!! I didn't realize that the lines went over the trans!!! That is gonna suck!! I guess I'll take it and have them put on somewhere. I don't have my garage built yet, and I just don't think I wanna fool with all that in the gravel drive. The brake lines I bought were stainless, but I'm not sure if I'll put stainless fuel lines on or not. I have about decided to get this car back dependably roadworthy and buy a tpi car. My current car is a low option car with t-tops and A/C, but the A/C is currently in-op, and the exterior and interior need a total redo. I'm just afraid I will put way too much in a car that will never be a valuable car. So I thought that maybe I'd just do the regular fuel lines to save a little cash...and save my money for my next tpi car. As far as the straps go, I will only consider replacing them if I have to remove the tank to replace the fuel lines. If the tank can stay on, I will not worry about the straps. I was just afraid I'd have to take the tank off and have trouble with 'rusty' straps.