how to replace fuel line & best manual

I recently aquired a abused and neglected CMC. It has been sitting in a garage for a couple of years. The fuel tank still has gas in it but I have resisted the urge to start it up due to some rust on the inside top of the gas tank. I pulled the tank and am going to take it to the radiator shop where they said they can help. Even though I don't see any leakage I might as well replace the fuel line all the way back to the engine. Same with the brakes. Clutch, brake petals were a mess, missing bolt and loose with a hole in the floorboard. I fixed the floorboard and petals, might as well do the M/S and brake lines too. My question is, where is the best place to order good german replacement parts, any tricks to fishing the new fuel line through the tunnel, and what is the best manual to buy for my VW pan based CMC. I live in Waterford,Michigan Thanks, Chuck

I suggest you buy both the Chilton (Gray Cover) and Bentley Manual (Orange Cover).

As far as parts go, I like CIP1.com. When building my car most of my VW parts came from CIP and a local VW shop. Some parts can also be found at JC Whitney.

Jerome

If there is rust in the tank - I would not even bother getting it repaired -- you can get a 15-16 gallon new tank (or OEM size) from CIP1 for $70. The brake line is easy to replaced but the gas hard line is welded in the transmission tunnel (same with clutch tube and throttle tube) --- only the flexible rubber pieces at either end are easily replaced. Guess you could run a new gas line under the carpet or in along the rocker panel but I've never seen a rusted out gas line (brake line yes).

I've gotten a LOT of parts over the years from Rocky Mountain Motor Works, which has recently been acquired by Mid America Motorworks (which used to be their biggest competitor and also the owner of Tweeks). The new URL is:

www.800luvbugg.com/

Prices are good, and, like everyone else, they have a mix of VW OEM parts from Germany (really good), Brazil and Mexico (not quite as good as German, but usually serviceable).

I've also used Southern Cal VW parts (might have a different name lately), Kymco, CB Performance for go-fast stuff and a few others out of the pages of Hot VW's. Never used CIP1 like Jerome, but I think I'll check them out - quite a few others on the forum have used CIP1 as well.

I agree with Gerg - get a new tank, it's well worth it.
I replaced my fuel line with a larger diameter one when I shortened the pan. The original one was attached to the inside of the tunnel with a couple of clips welded to the tunnel. It exits both ends of the tunnel through a rubber grommet. Neither end is easily reached if the body is still on and it would be difficult to remove it. I've never seen those gas lines rust out, though, since they always seem to have SOME fuel left in there to protect them and they're pretty high quality steel. I would just pull the rubber hoses off the ends and blow high-pressure air through the line to clean it out and then replace the rubber hoses with new ones.

gn

Chuck, I agree with the above posts. Get a new tank. Go with the big tank from CIP1. It may even be a good idea to get the new tank coated.
Ron

Keep in mind, you may have to cut your inner trunk liner to clear the cap on the bigger tank.

Jerome

Thanks for all the info. I think I will take your advice and get the 16 gal. new tank from cip1. It said that it has a underhood fillerneck, has anyone put one of these in a flared CMC? It looks a little high. Thanks again Chuck

Please ...

Never ever run a fuel line exposed in any way inside of any vehicle!

This is the real thing...."fuel for the fire!"so to speak.

What I do is run the replacement fuel line along the driver's side floor pan to body mounting bolts using the metal clamps that have rubber on the inside, this insulates the line from metal to metal contact. You can also slip a larger ID rubber hose over a metal line and contact cement it in place . This will be best done where you feel that it may contact meet areas.

Alan M

Anyone have a photo of the bigger installed?

I have an article under Knowledge on installing a 16 gallon tank. As far as your hard fuel line? Spray a bunch of carb cleaner through one of those thin directed straws into the fuel line, then blow it out (compressed air, repeat, and then blow it out. until dry.

Important! At least I think it is.... use only German no pinch fuel line clamps on your soft hose.

I'll dig around, I may have pics.

Jim