78 fuel system rework - help!

[milspam]

I'm currently going thru the fuel system on my 78 and need some advice.
1. I've got the fuel tank out for cleaning and have been advised by some not to remove the strainer at the bottom of the fuel tank, as it may possible strip the threads on removal.
2. Had a local hose shop make a 300psi replacement fuel line from 1st. fuel pump at rear of tank to 2nd fuel pump in fender well using original fittings, and will use some kind of foam wrap to prevent chaffing of fuel line and electrical supply.
3. The fuel line running from 2nd fuel pump at the top of the wheel well is held in place by u-shaped clips that seem to be spot welded to body or are they removable?
I want to replace all fuel hoses from the rear working my way to the front. Then concentrate on injectors, fuel distributor and lines before attempting to start engine. Any procedural advise or tips to make this go smoother would be appreciated. Thanks, George

[Danglerb]

It can strip or come loose and ruin the tank, but I think the strainer still has to come out. Lets see what others say.

Which style tank support do you have, the one with an attached metal "arm" for the hoses, or a replaceable plastic sleeve?

If your talking about replacing hard line from the front to the back etc I would make sure a new part is available before removing the old.

How do you plan to do the front fuel lines, factory style hard lines or braided stainless?

[devilinblack]

Dave (sharkskin) over at Rennlist has an excellent writeup on this.

http://members.rennlist.com/sharkskin/Pages_SA_R34-FuelLines.htm

[milspam]

Thanks for the input fellas, but I'm just replacing the rubber lines not metal lines. Since this has been setting for some time - should I replace the accumulator also? Keep the input coming as I need all the help I can get. Factory manuals havn't been much help.

[Danglerb]

Setting a long time could mean you will be replacing most of the front end fuel injection stuff, or rebuilding it. Flushing it out, and looking at what gets flushed out will be helpful. If you have rust in the lines that could be real pesky.

I'd pull it all apart, clean and test what you can test, and work from there. I don't know if its smart or not, but I tend to keep all parts like wur etc. in sealed bags with a bit of Marvel Mystery oil to continue cleaning and preventing corrosion.

[DPW928]

I wouldn't replace any part until it is tested. Concerning the accumulator, a simple pressure test will determine if it has a leaking diaphram and should be replaced. On the strainer, try back bleeding with spray cleaner to remove any accumulated crud then leave it alone.

The most effective treatment for a CIS system that has sat a long time is cleaning with injector cleaner. This will require removing injector connections, relief valves, etc on most of the fuel components. Don't separate the two halves of the fuel distributor or tear down the WUR unless you are thoroughly familiar with the rebuild procedures. The injectors will need at least 60 psi of air pressure to open them up for cleaning. A good indicator of how much crud/shellac is in the fuel system can usually be determined by pulling the plastic housing off the fuel level sender. Any shellac on the two resistor wires will probably be mirrored in the whole fuel system.

[MPDano]

Here is what I did with my CIS system

1: Remove Tank and have Acid Washed
2: New External Pump and Filter
3: Internal Pump, removed guts and put back.
4: Pulled all lines from Fuel Distributor and Flush with Carb Cleaner, both ways to ensure cleared
5: Used compressed air to blow out fuel lines
6: Spider was out, so cleaned it thoroughly
7: Cleaned Fuel Injectors with Carb Cleaner by pulling back Pintle and spraying, and did other way, put carb cleaner in injector and blew compressed air into them, this will also show good/bad spray pattern.
8: I had 1 bad Injector and found this out after getting car running and it was running on 7 Cylinders.

I never opened the Fuel Distributor.

[stifekat928]

i'm parting a 1979 fuel system. pm for parts you need

[MPDano]

is your CIS Fuel Distributor in working order?

[stifekat928]

yes it is. I'm upgrading to Lpg so i can go Twin turbo so.

[stifekat928]

I'm thinking of selling the whole car as a parts car. i will start another post for that if i decide to go that route