P. Scofield
Bronze Level Sponsor
NAPA AUTO PARTS
Hello,
A note on fuel tank issues: step 3: balance pipe removal & replacement
1. the balance pipe's fossilization extended its length, making it impossible to pull out due to breakage.
2. pull out what will pull out from each end.
3. remove soft top boot lid.
4. use flat screwdriver through balance pipe body channel openings to push it too/fro and loosen it.
5. use needle nose vise grip pliers through the same openings to slide it one direction or the other according to the degree of remaining balance pipe flexibility.
6. break off and remove small sections of balance pipe until none remain.
Observations and Engineering Question:
1. the balance pipe supplied by CS is in reality a fuel hose.
It is a 3/8" (9.5mm) line. This size line has an opening close to the same size as the stock balance pipe, but the fuel line's walls are thicker.
They are just enough thicker to make the fuel line too large to go through the balance pipe channel in the car body. I tried lubrication to no avail.
A ¼†(6.3 mm) line goes through easily, but its opening is small. Perhaps it is too small (?).
I believe there is an intermediate size fuel line, which I don’t have (5/16 7.9 mm).
Is the opening in a 5/16 line adequate to balance the tanks? I believe a line of that size might be workable.
I attached a pic of the 3/8 line (left) the stock balance pipe (middle) and a ¼ line for comparison. Not to worry about your eyesight, the camera was on closeup and no tripod to eliminate shake.
Your comments are welcome.
Thanks.
Allan