Duh!

[Project560]

So I am removing the intake to replace AOS seals and replace rotted vacuum lines on my early NA. Another rookie move - I thought that I should remove the fuel line connected to the fuel rail. It wouldn't budge and started to twist. I stopped and realized that I didn't even need to remove it. I hope that I didn't screw it up, but I guess I will find out later.



As expected all of the hoses are cracked. I also noticed a bit of fuel pooling on top of the intake valve. It could be injector problems, but I also found that the thin vacuum line for the fuel regulator and damper was melted. I am sure that this doesn't help my rough running issue.


Not surprisingly, everything is old and crapped up, so it is hard to resist just replacing everything. I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't buy it as an investment...

[v2rocket_aka944]

Now is the time to replace the fuel lines, have your fuel rail sand blasted and crack-checked, and send the injectors out for cleaning/flow matching.

And vacuum lines.

[mytrplseven]

The uglier it is will make it that much sweeter when you rebuild it.

[jhowell371]

Don't feel too bad. In 1970 my college roommate needed to clean out the gas tank on his ancient German Ford Taunus. He unscrewed the fuel line nut at the tank, not noticing the metal fuel line was rusted fast to the nut. When he was done the gas line at the nut looked like a Twizzler. We drove home with a gallon Clorox jug wired up under the hood for a gas tank, making many, many stops to top it off

[Project560]

That's a similar story to my youth with my friend's old Vespa scooter. The gas tank under the seat was rusted out so we hooked up a hose and funnel. We took turns having funnel rides. When the funnel was empty the ride was over.

Thanks the advice regarding fuel lines V2rocket. It will definitely be easier to do it now with everything out of the way. I saw some old posts from you and John about the Rennbay kit so I think I will be placing an order.

I better open up a separate bank account so my wife can't trace all of my purchases.

[Project560]

Success! Got the fuel rail connection apart finally. Injectors are going for cleaning/testing. I cut the old fuel lines out and will get new ones this week. It looks like the clutch hose and tubing is in rough shape too, so I will do this while the intake manifold is off.

Is Lindsey Racing the only game in town for replacing the maze of engine vacuum tubing or is there a more cost effective option for this? So many of the original tubes have sharp bends, so straight tubing won't seem to cut it.

[Arizona_928]

at that point i would source a new fuel rail...

[sausagehacker]

I have a good early fuel rail sitting in my garage.... $40 shipped, with FPR and damper on it.

[Project560]

Thanks guys. I actually meant that I was going to install new fuel supply and return lines that connect to the fuel rail as per V2 Rocket's suggestion. However, since I did twist the inlet tube on the fuel rail when trying to disconnect it, I would like to replace the fuel rail with a good used one. I think that the shipping to Ottawa would be expensive, so I will see if I can source one locally first. I may get in touch with you Sausagehacker...Thanks.

[Project560]

I finally have my intake all back together, new fuel lines, new AOS o-rings, all new rubber hoses and a bunch of other bits. I was able to pick-up a really good fuel rail from Plyhammer. It is an early 84 version so it is slightly different, but nothing too crazy, or so I thought...

Now the only thing preventing me from testing the engine is the fuel injector clips. The clips for this fuel rail are different than the ones I had on my fuel rail. They are NLA from Porsche and impossible to find used. The clips that I need, clip to the top of the injector cup on the fuel rail (#944 110 393 01) Here is a picture:



It is not this style:



If you happen to have 4 of them collecting dust at the bottom of your parts bin, please PM me. I am dead in the water without them.