Fuel Rail

[Mattt123]

Hi Guys:
I recently smelled fuel while driving my 1981 fuel injected spider 2000. I checked under the hood and found that the 35 year old rubber hoses attached to the fuel rail were corroded and fuel was seeping through. I though I would replace them but noticed that they are press fitted onto the fuel rail where they attach to it. The other ends have hose clamps but the ends that attach to the fuel rail cant be removed. Does anyone know a procedure for fixing this problem? Do I have have to get a whole new fuel rail? Has anybody else dealt with this?

Thanks

[lglade]

No, you don't need to replace the fuel rail. Those are Bosch Collar Locks and they are NOT swaged on. So not only can you remove the hoses but you can also reuse the collar locks if you want to keep the original look.

Use an Exacto knife to cut the hoses lengthwise under the collar and continue the cut past the end of the hard tube inside. A little heat from a heat gun and some gentle twisting/tugging will get the hoses off the rail. Try to avoid damaging the collar lock and try not to cut the hard tube of the fuel rail, but it's a pretty easy process.

If you use the right diameter replacement fuel hose (see link below), you can reuse the collar locks but the OD of the hose is critical, so some guys change out the hoses with standard 5/16 FI hose and then use fuel injection hose clamps. I reused my collar locks (probably cost me an extra $20 to get the exact right hose), but the choice is yours:

https://www.midwest-bayless.com/p-8163- ... 80-on.aspx

Be sure to replace ALL the fuel hoses in the engine compartment, and you may as well replace your injector seals while you're at it. If you decide to just use bulk hose, be really careful on your hose lengths. Too long or too short will give you fits when you go to reinstall the injectors.

[RRoller123]

+1 on that last bit of advice. The length of the short hose sections to the injectors is critical. You want them just a tiny bit long, to keep some inward seating pressure, but not too much. Shorter is a disaster. They have a very slight curved bend after installation at the correct length.

[azruss]

My OEM hoses measure between 2.470 and 2.480" cap to cap. I cut my hoses to 2.360 and used the original caps rather than hose clamps. Have had no issues in 4 years. As others have said, use some precision in cutting hose lengths. I did all my measurements with a dial caliper.

[Mattt123]

I see, That's great news. Thank you all so much for the advice and for the link to Bayless.
This forum is such a great resource.