Petcock

[Greg Garrett]

My 1963 B coupe has developed a small gas drip under the front of the car. I jacked up the front end and removed the right front tire and checked the petcock. It looked dry but I tightened the wing nut under the lower “cup”. I then got under there and there is a short piece of fuel line between the petcock tube and the fuel line that runs back to the engine. That short piece of fuel line was wet on one end. I tightened the hose clamps and now I’m waiting to see if that took care of it but I have a feeling the short piece of fuel line has to be replaced. My question is, if I turn the fuel valve in the cabin to “off” position, will that stop the fuel from the tank above where I am removing the fuel line?
Thanks...

[C J Murray]

Yes, if the valve is working correctly. Sometimes they dribble a little. Have a drip pan ready to catch fuel just in case. Try to pre-cut the new fuel hose just in case you do have a drip. The correct size original type hose does not require hose clamps but US made hose will need clamps because the ID is a bit large.

The steel line going into the interior is short and then there is another short length of hose that connects to the steel line running through the tunnel to the back of the car. If you found one hose leaking then the second hose should be replaced also. You will find it under the floor boards.

Look at the long length of hose under the car to the engine and the hoses in the engine compartment including the short section above the fan inlet. Old hoses are dangerous.

[Doug McDonnell]

Yes

[Jeffrey Leeds]

Greg, if you have one rubber hose leaking you probably have others leaking, or about to leak, also. Some members of our TYP356NE group have experienced leaks from the hose running from the tank to the steel line running through the center tunnel which resulted in a large deposit of gasoline in the tunnel itself and or under the floor boards in the cabin. The old rubber does not age well with today's ethanol gasoline. Be safe and use the opportunity to replace ALL the rubber along the fuel line, including the line behind the fan shroud, with fresh ethanol rated rubber before you wish you had done it sooner.

Jeff

[Greg Garrett]

Thanks for the input. Good advice.