Metal Fuel Line Advice please

[Campin68]

I'm working on a 68 Bus, which has had the fuel supply hose re-routed, removing the metal line that goes through the firewall. It is wedged around the firewall as such:

I purchased the correct metal fuel line and grommet, but am struggling to understand how to install it in the appropriate place. Do I need to remove the manifold? It's not exactly flexible and since it's so angular ant the fit is tight there's no real way to jimmy it in there.

Any help in this would be appreciated. I can't find much info on this part in Bentley. This thread was helpful, up to the actual installation part.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=390608&highlight=metal+fuel+line

I'm not super picky about these types of things, but this PO fix looks like a safety hazard. What do you think? I wouldn't mind leaving it as is if I felt it were safe.
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I'm doing all of this for the first time.
Rita, '68 Camper

[sodbuster]

There should be a hole in your front shroud tin just about in this area.

install the grommet in the hole. then slide the longer strait portion next to the fan shroud and over the top of drivers side intake manifold casting through the grommet. then hook up the rubber lines to either end. As well as the tank, fuel pump and carb. be sure to pay attention to which is the inlet and outlet of the pump and hose clamp all rubber line connections. Using all new rubber fuel line of course.

removal of the intake manifold should not be necessary.

[sodbuster]

Oh yea one more thing. Don't drive it another block the way it is! What you have now is scary unsafe. Dispite the blurry pic I can see at least three places where that fuel line can be rubbed through!

[Desertbusman]

You can see where it clamps to the end of the shroud. I use a soft insulated clamp. You don't say if your engine is a dual port or single port. With a dual port you can barely see the steel line as it is down in between the shroud and manifold. And then it bends around the rear (rear is rear) of the shroud and also pretty much hidden from view until it bends up for the short piece of hose going to the fuel pump..
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

[Campin68]

Thank you for the quick replies!

It's a dual port engine. It sounds like fitting the line in shouldn't be such a problem, so I'll revisit this looking at the pic below for reference. I was pretty certain this was the case, but it's a matter of getting the metal line to fit down in there that's driving me nuts.
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I'm doing all of this for the first time.
Rita, '68 Camper

[Campin68]

I've come to the conclusion that the engine needs to come out so I can get this fuel line into its proper place. There's just not enough room to wiggle it through. The bright side is that I'll be able to scrub out the engine bay thoroughly.

I've watched a few youtube videos where they've pulled the engine pretty painlessly, but it's still a little intimidating!
_________________
I'm doing all of this for the first time.
Rita, '68 Camper

[Desertbusman]

YOu wouldn't need to pull the engine but it would help to pull the intake left casting and loosen the center section.

On the other hand if you havn't done an engine R & R yet it can be very beneficial to do it. That is providing you do all the things it is possible to do with the engine out. Don't do it just to install the fuel line.
Concentrate on all the details of the R & R. Sit down in the middle of the hole and look around all over at everything you see. Determine that all is all well. It won't be so correct or replace all that isn't up to snuff. Sure, clean and paint but then inspect and detail whatever needs it. For instance, don't waste time hooking up the old throttle cable. Save half the labor and put the new one in now.

As far as the steel fuel line you might want to Google it's part number and look at all the pictures of it that the different vendors have. For some reason they usually don't look all the same. And you might wish to tweek yours here and there to make it shaped like the majority of them look. Keep in mind that your goal is to have it insulated and protected wherever it is going to rub and wear. Mainly the front tin hole but also elsewhere.
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

[rustybusjef]

You don't need to pull the engine ,but it is a very easy job . Also you can get 1/4" steel fuel line at any auto parts store , they vary in length from 6" to 6 feet and are soft and easy to bend . And if you do pull the motor you will have a great opportunity to really clean everything up .

[Campin68]

Update: I was able to get the grommet and fuel line in, with a little modification and shortening. Now I just need to find the appropriate clamp and screw to attach it to the shroud. Thanks for all the advice!


_________________
I'm doing all of this for the first time.
Rita, '68 Camper