Floor restore and line removal

[rjkoop]

Soon I'm going to redo the floors in my Spider. Not sure yet if I'll be able to repair what's there or replace with new floorpans. Should I remove the fuel/brake lines before this work? Or can I just move them aside and fix?

Also I noticed the PO did a repair on a brake line with a rubber section.


This seemed weird to me. Should I just replace all the brake lines to be sure?

[BEEK]

those are fuel lines, the brake line runs thru the transmission tunnel

[rjkoop]

Oops! Still learning. So is that repair ok on a fuel line?

[RRoller123]

Well at the least it should use fuel line clamps instead of standard hose clamps. I think "out of sight out of mind" is kind of a problem when it is hidden under the carpet, but there is a transition in the engine compartment from steel to rubber line, so there is precedent for this connection. The issue I guess is why it needed the repair; if the lines are old and corroded they should probably be replaced. A fuel leak inside the passenger compartment is a pretty bad thing, especially if there are smokers about.

[4uall]

I had a gas leak last year (minor heart attack as Fiona was running at the time in my lane way)
I used gas line clamps then made a minor repair.
Rubber tubing that was F.I. rated (Partsource)
Then POR'd the floor

Rusted gas lines arrggghhh

[baltobernie]

The issue I guess is why it needed the repair; if the lines are old and corroded they should probably be replaced.

+1

That splice and clamps are inappropriate for a fuel-injected car. If you are re-plumbing, you can move everything to the tunnel; the way the first-gen cars were fitted. Here's how mine looks: supply, return, vent and rear brakes

[rjkoop]

I'll have to examine the fuel link closely and see if it needs replacing. I don't think it's in bad shape from what I can see. I'll probably just have to redo that 'patch' correctly. And I'll probably just replace with the same type of lines in the same location. Must have been a reason why those Fiat engineers ran it this way, no?

[BEEK]

the reason fiat moved the fuel lines from the tunnel was doughnut failure/ driveshaft failure, this could result in a fire

[RRoller123]

Driveshaft fails, takes out fuel lines, causes massive leak under FP pressure, driveshaft drops to the asphalt and starts a wake of sparks. Yep, that would not be good.

[BEEK]

granted, i have seen maybe 30 or so fiat driveshaft failures in my life. there were some that created serious damage. tunnels sawed into pieces, exploding shifters, and even a catapult , all be it a small one, from the drive shaft sticking into the ground. i have seen fuel and brake lines ripped open, smashed and twisted around the driveshaft. but thank goodness i have never seen a fire. but as stated. high pressure lines, from the efi cars were never in the tunnel, only ones from the carburated variety

[TX82FIAT]

I+1 for keeping the fuel lines inside the car. As for the original question about moving the fuel lines while re-doing the floor. There should be enough play in the hard lines to lift them an inch or so off the floor so you can clean and coat under them with POR15 or replace pans if needed. If the rust on the lines is very mild surface rust then clean, treat and POR the fuel lines as well. I would "NOT" POR a suspect line. When done make sure lines go back in original spot secured.

[RRoller123]

I had a 1957 MB 219D when I was a youngun in the 70's, and it had a very slight (but real) fuel leak in the rear gas tank. The MB was a rust bucket but fun, I think I paid 600 bucks for it. We put a plastic machine gun on the hood at Halloween. Anyway, I was driving it up to NH to sell it to a buddy when one of the rear trailing arms let go (due to rust) and the spring drovve it down into the pavement, at about 60mph. And looking in the rear view mirror, I saw a spray (of sparks) like a professional waterskier would make. Fortunately, the gas tank did not ignite. I got over to the side of the road and that was that. Towed and scrapped. Ah to be young again......

[124JOE]

i went to farm and fleet and asked for metal fuel lines.they didnt have a clue as to what i was asking for
so i asked them for tranz coolant lines
i cut the ends off and hose clamped both ends
this spring ill do the return line