This is not Syncro related

Almost all (pre-fuel injection) Type I engined VW's have fuel filters over
the engine. It's right above the generator/alternator.

Other than the little fire caused by a cracked fuel hose, it never gave me
any other problems in the Type I engined Westy I used to own. = )

Thanks to a Halon extiguisher no real damage was done. I was back on the road
in under 20 minutes.

BenT
San Francisco