Bugeye gasline route/safety help please

[ichthos]

I am running the original mechanical stock fuel pump and what I think are original gas lines. The steel line runs from the gas tank and stops at the front right corner. A rubber gas line from the right front corner then heads to the left side of the car where it connects to a steel spiraling gas line that drops down on the left side. Another member warned me that I should reconsider the rubber hose connection because it is below the level of the line at the gas tank. He mentioned that this is a potential fire hazard since if rubber line fails the gas tank would be siphoned out quickly. So I have two questions; 1) Do I have the gas line routed/hooked up correctly? 2) If it is correct, do I have a reason to worry about this, and what could I do to make this safer? Don't know if the pics help, but here is a shot facing toward the back of the car on the passenger side.

 

[ichthos]

And here is a pic on the left hand side of the engine showing the spiraling gas line. Any help would greatly be appreciated,
Kevin

 

[Gerard]

Kevin,

I just checked with a friend who has a concourse level, restore to original car. Just as I remembered, there was never any rubber in the original fuel line. If you want to use a rubber section, just make sure it is above the level of the tank to eliminate the possibility of creating a siphon.

Gerard

 

[ichthos]

Thanks Gerard. What's weird is I have a second bugeye with the same set up. Never understood why there was a break in the line that way. I seriously thought about getting a stainless steel line anyway. There are three areas where the old gas line rubbed against something and is thin in those areas as a result.
Kevin

 

[Aggudabbu]

if they're rubbing, just change to an all steel line or just exchange the rubber section with steel braided teflon hoses.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

What bothers me more is the solid steel line to the pump.
Even "spiraled", there is flex in the motor mounts and road vibration (and inherent LBC vibration).
If it was my car, it would have steel lines to a bracket on the frame near the pump, and a rubber hose from there to the pump.
Just saying.

 

[Billm]

Yeah Dave but that wouldn't be "stock" and Kevin is doing a really good restoration!
Bill

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Okay by me.
All the restorations I have done over the years, reliability and safety took full precedence over "originality" wherever applicable.

 

[ichthos]

I am trying to keep things as stock as possible as Bill mentioned. However, I do have the same philosophy as TOC. Safety takes precedence over originality. For instance, my car came with lap belts, but I now have three point belts. I know I have little experience so far, but I have found when done properly, this car seems to have been designed well. Most of my problems center around previous modifications I was not aware of and had to correct. The main reason I am going to a solid fuel line is (as a number of you pointed out) is it is much safer. Thanks again to alerting me to the non stock information as well as the safety factor everyone.
Kevin

 

[erstearns]

I have my original lines off my 60 and it was hard line to the fuel pump, from fuel pump to carb was part hard with rubber transition to carbs. Not sure what exact original was from pump to carb.

 

[Gerard]

I have my original lines off my 60 and it was hard line to the fuel pump, from fuel pump to carb was part hard with rubber transition to carbs. Not sure what exact original was from pump to carb.

Service Parts List AH Sprite 3rd Edition PUB 1960:

Shows fuel line from tank to pump as one piece (hard line) Pipe fitting at each end.

Feed from pump to carbs - 1 piece hard line (tees to both carb inlets. Fitting at pump. Only a very short piece of fabric reinforced hose (probably 1.5 inches) to each carb.

Gerard