RE: injectors and injector hose clamps

["Tony Lupton" <t.lupton@domain.elided>]

Ethan,

> while i've got the rail off (and to make sure i avoid
> any acetone problems) i want to replace the short
> lines that go from rail to injector. my question is
> about the clamps: is it worth (or possible) to reuse
> the original clamps or should i pick up some band
> style injector clamps?

I responded to a similar question a little while ago, but for some reason,
my response never made it to the digest:

> 1. What size hose did you use and where did you get it?

8 mm Fuel Injection Hose is what you need. Any decent auto parts store
should carry this. Do not get imperial sizes close to 8 mm.

> 2. Did you clamp it or not (per OEM)?

I did, but am not sure its necessary. The old hoses did *not* come off by
pulling (a set of vice grips on the end of the hose just shredded the hose),
and when I had to redo a few new ones (cut the length too long), the barbs
on the injector spigot were tearing out the inside of the hose. If you do
clamp, use proper FI clamps, which have a cross section like: \_____/. This
means the edge of the clamp does not cut into the hose.

> 3. One current line has a leak, others have small cracks in
> the rubber suggesting they need replacement too (presumably
> original ca. 1988, 100k miles).

Do all six, plus:
- the line to the cold-start injector
- the line from the hard supply line to the dashpot (mounted
  next to the fuel pump double relay)
- the line from the dashpot to the fuel rail
- the return line from fuel pressure relief valve on the front
  of the rail to the hard supply line.

You'll probably need about 4' of hose. (Don't keel over at the price).

> 4. Any tricks to avoid leakage upon replacement? I realize
> the fuel pressure is fairly low, but the penalty for messing
> this up is potentially high.

Do not use a knife to cut the hose apart. Scratching the barbs can result in
leakage. If the hose won't pull off (mine certainly didn't), use a hefty
soldering iron to melt it off. The shop manual says welder, but I'm pretty
certain that's a translation error.

Tony
--
Tony Lupton                  *     Astracon (Australia) Pty Ltd
Project Manager           *    *   Level 10
t.lupton@domain.elided         *    303 Coronation Drive
Phone: +61-7-3368-6926             Milton, Qld 4064
Fax:   +61-7-3368-6999      *      Australia
Mob:   +61-413-208-743             www.astracon.com
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