It would appear that best way to redo fuel lines would be to use 1/4" OD
stainless steel tuning and Swagelok-brand fittings.  I have used these for
plumbing hydrogen at 125 psig and various flammable liquids at pressures to
6000 psig.  Those applications were in industrial R&D settings.  Swagelok to
hose adapters would be needed to go to injectors etc., and a Swagelok
bulkhead union would be used instead of the current plastic fitting.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Old Volks Home" <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 11:47 AM
Subject: Re: 5/16" High Pressure Fuel Lines OK?

> Benny -
>
> If you're talking about the metal "fuel rails" as they're called, yes
> these
> were used.  But they are short pieces only for the immediate area of use,
> namely the fuel injectors.  VW quit using these when they went to the Wbxr
> and used some round plastic contraptions at the fuel injectors and
> although
> cheep looking in appearance, I guess they've been durable enough for me to
> stand the test of time and mileage.  But, to cut costs, VAG has the rest
> of
> the engine compartment awash in hoses.
>
> Geza mentions that some enterprising vendor could probably come up with a
> configuration of metal lines, compression fittings, etc.  Stainless Steel
> would be a better choice over copper, but to construct something like this
> in either material and mass market it would require it to be manufactured
> in
> China to keep the resellable price at an affordable level.  There just
> isn't
> a big enough market to justify the tooling, setup and production in such a
> short run.  It would be best if a mechanically minded individual configure
> and make one up for themselves or just a few assemblies for others, but
> forget about recouping the labor $$ required to make it a reality as it
> would be more of a hobbiest/garage enterprise.
>
> My late father, a design engineer at Northrop/Grumman and I would do
> selected projects like this for the 50 Split Window Bug we co-owned and
> restored way back in the day.  Some replacement items were made out of
> pure
> unobtainium, even in 1968 and being the tool and die machinist he
> originally
> was, he was able to fashion many of the items we couldn't find.  There are
> people out there that have those skills, but are become far and few
> between.
> --
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> 73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> *Have a Happy & SAFE Holiday*
> **********************************
> On 12/29/06, Benny boy <huotb@videotron.ca> wrote:
>>
>> :-)
>>
>> Jim i right, on late FI Bus, metal line were used
>> http://www.benplace.com/bjp/100_0046_78d.jpg
>>
>> I still wonder why they stoped doing so on a very important issue, fuel
>> line!
>> Of course, they (VW) didn't think theirs products would last for 20+
>> year.
>>
>> So that said, i have to say that the original FI line were extremely good
>> (same for the multiple flex coolant line). On the other ahnd, the wasser
>> engine (a poor modification of previous Air-Cool engine) were also, i
>> think,
>> a money issue.
>>
>> A have a few van in the shop now, those day i drive a Carat 2.2L Subi,
>> why,
>> it's -17C (1F), and it's the only one starting up fine, like any other
>> modern car, the wasser and it's injection system is.... pfffffff... i
>> won't
>> say what i really think of the VW FI.
>>
>> This van is so pleasant to drive with 130+hp.
>>
>> And to all who wonder about size (5/16, 7.5, 7...), just put some new
>> one,
>> period... anything will be better than those old one, the clamp is the
>> one
>> you should wonder about it's quality. The cheap one will "stripped" if to
>> tight, and please, don't use water hose clamp!
>>
>> Regards, and have a great new year!
>> Ben
>> http://www.benplace.com/bjp_travaux.htm
>