I found this site very interesting and I'm adopting this guys suggestion when fitting my new fuel line in the Ghia this weekend.

http://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/vw-how-to-prevent-engine-fires-in-...

Any comments / other suggestions?

Stuart

awesome find, if you can take a bunch of photos so we can see what it looks like etc.

I would say most come from shithouse fuel hose from discount parts stores. That stuff would have to be even more dnagerous now with ethanol flowing through it. Another one would be fittings falling out of carbs.


Buy quality hose. Clamp it. tie wire the hose clamp to the carb to stop fitting coming out.

clamp and tie wire is the best method

Also:
*) Many VWs standard steel engine bay line has been replaced by now with rubber from pan to carby so ensure it doesn't chafe anywhere (tinware, firewall, etc)
*) replace ALL rubber hose (under fuel tank, in engine bay) every few years. Old lines crack and leak
*) ALWAYS install the fuel filter before teh fuel pump - that way if it fails, it reduces the amount of fuel being sprayed everywhere by the fuel pump (the engine - and pump - will run until the carby runs dry)
*) NEVER use a glass fuel filter - not many around these days, but a few are still out there
*) Ensure the pipes into the fuel pump and carby are firm; they are a 'slip-in' fit and some become loose over time. Pein them in with a centre punch or similar
*) Keep your engine clean - grease and grime can contribute to a fire
*) Install a fire extinguisher - $30 at SuperCheap!

Another one I have heard about is the battery shorting out on the seat springs, causing a spark and igniting the hair padding. Don't know if this is true or not but I cover the battery terminals with heavy duty rubber anyway.

Very true. Big bums and/or boxes will do that to you. The correct battery has recessed terminals so that it shouldnt happen. It creates heaps of smoke and quick thinking people can rip the seat out with time to spare. Not something you want to risk though.

Today i fitted a fuel line 'bulk head' as mentioned in the original article link at the top of the page.
I couldn't find the supplies that he mentioned at Bunnings, so I butchered an old light fitting I had kicking about.

Donor light fitting. I pulled the brass threaded tube out of it.


All the parts made.
Drilled out large washers to suit and a short length of copper fuel line. I flared the ends to help the rubber fuel line to 'bite' on.


Fitted. Everthing was seated in with high temperature silicon gasket goo.

The project was pretty simple to do and makes plenty of sense to me after reading the article.
I also wired all my hose clips tight to the carburetor bodies as suggested above.