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got a question... I've been smelling gas in my garage for weeks, and had some spots. I finally went ahead and pulled the mid tank, as I couldn't find the leak without it removed. Turns out one of the hard supply lines from the rear tank is rusted pretty bad and has a seep type leak. If I wipe it down until dry, it will become wet again within a few minutes. My question is if it is possible to replace that entire section with rubber fuel line. It would be about 3-4 feet, as the hard line nearest the junction isn't seeping.
Let me know now if anyone thinks this would work, or if there's a better solution. Also, do I just need to plug the fuel line from the mid tank to run it without that tank reinstalled?
Are you talking about the line from the sending unit? Usually there is a short rubber hose from the sending unit to the steel line. You could go back to the sending unit and replace the bad steel line with copper and then another short length of fuel line near the junction. Or as you were thinking , run fuel line (rubber) the 3-4 ft. Just make sure the line is for fuel and is located so it won't chaff.
The steel line from the sending unit is the one that has corroded. It's corroded along the frame rail, about where the cab and bed meet. If it didn't look so bad, I would cut it back and flare it out again, but the entire line looks pretty bad. If I go the rubber hose route, I will definitely use fuel grade line and ensure to zip-tie it appropriately. I'm just curious what others have done, and if there's a solution I haven't thought of.
In general, steel line is tough and long lived compared to rubber. Best to keep rubber to a minimum and change it from time to time. If the steel lines are rusted suggest you replace with steel. Hand bend with line from NAPA, Farm Supply store or vendor of your choice. Or buy a whole hard line kit from InLine tube or other vendor.
Thanks B&W. that was my first thought as well. Does anyone know if the SS lines from Dan Carpenter or LMC can be installed without pulling the bed? Hard to tell if I will have room from the bottom side.
Just FYI, I have rubber lines front to back on both my 78&79. No problems for over 10yrs on my 78. I just made sure the lines were fastened & secure. Also high quality.
My opinion is to keep the rubber fuel lines to a minimum even if you're using EFI rated stuff.
Stainless is a bear to work with......different flare degrees, bending is tricky...I know, I have it for my brake lines.
NiCopp is what I use for fuel feed lines,,,easy to flare, easy to bend and won't rot/rust, etc. If I ever change my SS brake lines, I'll use the NiCopp there as well.
Hard lines as much as possible. Rubber lines need to be replaced more often, they can dry, crack or be rubbed through, causing hard to find minor leaks ands they can break down internally after years of use, especially cheaper manufactured hose. Short lengths of rubber from the tank to the hard line and then from the hard line to the fuel pump, just to isolate vibration. Flare the ends of the hard line and use quality hose clamps. I believe It can all be replaced without dropping the tank or removing the bed, just takes some patience.