Monthly Archives: August 2016

Greetings again, Jolly gang! It has been suggested to me by persons unnamed that my recent article “What Stops Us” was geared too much towards the possibilities of failure and that this circumstance is so rare (at least with the more handy side of our group!)

I should focus now on what to carry in one’s cherished chariot, rumbler, love machine– whatever you call it– to enjoy a more complete motoring experience! Do I have suggestions for this, you query?  You bet your balaclava I do, so take notes– grab your Waterman fountain pen or your quill and well, let’s get started!

Beginning with the smaller cars and focusing on what every car needs in her cubby or boot, the motoring enthusiast will no doubt find it comforting to don a proper cap. I have noted recently some fine choices: a Balmoral or flat cap certainly gives an air of authenticity to the driver of a Morgan, for instance, and Holden’s in the UK sells some quite fetching Ladies motoring hats (lovely image that). A beret, although not typically associated with the Brits, does give the impression there might have been a recent trip across the Channel or drive down the Champs Elysées! Those of us inclined towards the Lotus Seven or Morgan Three wheeler might be better presented in a leather flying helmet (and they go so well with the classic bomber jacket). All that fluffy wool around the edges truly giving the image of “Derring-do”!

Scarves are a must for both the Ladies and Gentlemen but tie them short so as not to go the way of Isadora Duncan!

No proper Gentleman or Lady should grasp the wheel without the appropriate gloves. String backs are by far the most correct although there are many good leather gloves for motoring (thin ones for better feel if it’s not too cold…).

Perhaps the sun reflections from your gleaming bonnet are too much to bear? No doubt you have considered shading your peepers. So important to better see the oncoming blighter in a Buick who is more intent on texting than turning. Also handy for taking note unnoticed in the event of attractive roadside scenery. The racer types will, of course, go for the Halcyon goggles with tinted lenses (again very good with the bomber jacket and leather helmet).

Lap blankets are a most welcome advantage, for it seems that strangely our right little rides have woefully inadequate heaters or “Fug stirrers” as properly called. More often than not, they produce somewhat less warmth than a mouse breathing on your knee and any cooling of one’s lady’s body might also cool her ardour… Upon arrival at that destination afar, your famished companion can now recline comfortably while you twirl your corkscrew like a seasoned sommelier.

Note, the Welsh make absolutely the finest motoring/picnic blankets. The basket itself (you didn’t think I would omit the very holy grail of all motoring accessories, did you?!) should contain all manner of accoutrement necessary for a lunch among the well-bred; a melon baller is going too far, but at least two types of spoons are de rigueur! Napkins should match at least a little bit of the classical patterns found on one’s kilt (you do have a kilt, don’t you…?) Wedgewood is perfect and Waterford crystal also separates one from the groveling masses at any decent polo match!

Umbrellas that suit your lady should be left to her choosing as there is no possibility of your understanding how to match them to her attire much less her mood! Opera glasses or perhaps a brass telescope for admiring the scenery (careful at the beach lest your lady take the aforementioned umbrella to your cap a time or two)!

And now on to the larger conveyances of correctness, Bentleys, Rolls and Range Rovers have a boot with the capacity for a proper table and chairs as well as other necessities one might find it difficult to convey in an MG Midget such as the ice bucket, coolers, shooting sticks, clays and ammunition, Polo clubs and inflatables for the beach.

Musical instruments can be much the advantage when serenading your lovely although not while driving unless of course you are adept with a Kazoo.

Well, there you have it! Now pump in the petrol and grab that bottle of Chateau de Huile and off you go.

Most vehicle repair shops are encountering a lot of fuel-line-related issues since the introduction of ethanol into America’s pump gas.  Because of ethanol’s effects on rubber, plastic and metals, they are finding themselves spending a lot more time fixing fuel delivery systems than they did in the days of leaded gas and carburetors.

Neoprene fuel line.

Shops that perform these fuel system repairs are faced with the fact that there are now many possible types of fuel line that are necessary to make a proper, safe and durable repair. The few rolls of neoprene fuel line or steel tubing that used to hang on the wall are now only part of the varied products needed to perform these repairs. New sizes, new materials, new attachment fittings and new manufacturer’s O.E. recommendations have caused many shops to expand their inventories of fuel line products to meet market demands.

So, we offer this guide to the backyard mechanic as a reference for selecting the right products to purchase and keep in your own garage for the specific repairs you may find necessary. While plain neoprene fuel line will still work for many applications, these other products are designed to meet specific needs.

Standard neoprene fuel hose can be used for fuel, PCV and EEC systems on all vehicles where working pressures are under 50 psi or vacuum ratings are under 24-in. Hg for 7/16-inch and smaller inside-diameter sizes (10-in. Hg for ½-inch diameter hose). Fuel line is a petroleum-resistant nitrile tube with a covering that resists weathering, ozone and heat and can be used for ethanol-laced fuels and diesel fuel. It should, however, not be used on coolant systems, oil systems or fuel-injection systems that produce pressures higher than 50 psi. SAE ratings displayed on the hose should be 30R6 or 30R7.

Neoprene fuel line is available in 1/8-inch through 5/8-inch sizes on bulk rolls, with additional 3-foot sections of large 1-1/2-inch through 2-1/4-inch sizes available for gas filler neck applications. Neoprene with an outer steel braiding is also offered for custom applications; however, it is difficult to clamp with a standard worm gear clamp. Special AN-type fittings are often necessary with steel-braided fuel line.

When a bent filler neck hose is necessary, wire-inserted fuel hose is also offered. It bears the SAE 30R5 rating and can withstand temperatures of -40 to 212 degrees. Working pressure is not relevant, but wire-inserted hose can withstand 50-85 psi, depending on diameter.

High-pressure fuel hose for clamp-type fuel-injection systems is also available. This fuel hose is SAE 30R9-rated and uses a fluoro elastomer inner liner that will withstand up to 180 psi and 300 degrees. It is approved for all fuel blends including straight methanol, and the outer coating is also ozone- and abrasion-resistant. High-pressure fuel-injection hose can also be used in low-pressure applications, but the difference in pricing may convince you to save it for where it is needed.

Nylon fuel line.

Many late-model production cars are now using hard, black nylon tubing with special connectors to attach fuel-feed lines to the gas tank sending unit/fuel pump modules. This gas-resistant nylon tubing can be purchased by the foot or in short sections with the proper ends already attached to one end. Nylon tubing uses barbed fittings that are inserted into the tubing, and the connection is then heated to shrink the tubing around the fitting.

Marine fuel hose is a different product than standard fuel hose and has to be Coast Guard approved. Marine hose must have the SAE J1527 Style R1 rating emblazoned on the hose to pass as seaworthy. Marine hose is rated for 40 psi and will work in a pinch for carbureted passenger cars and light trucks.

Tygon fuel hose.

Small engines on your lawnmower, ATV or motorcycle use a gas-resistant vinyl tubing called Tygon. It is usually clear or transparent yellow in color and is preferred over the clear vinyl tubing you can purchase for your beer keg tap or for use as a wiring loom. Tygon is available in short sections or on a large roll and can be quite expensive, but it will outlast the standard vinyl by many years and does not turn brown and brittle after extended use, as vinyl tubing often does.

Standard rubber vacuum or heater hose should never be used in fuel applications. The hose will deteriorate from the inside out and can plug fuel filters and carburetors with rubber debris, long before it springs an external leak.