Underbody Protection and Fuel Lines.

Hello All,

I have two questions for everyone.

1, What type of material are people using for under body protection and Mud flaps. and where can I source it?

2, I am thinking about running the fuel lines on my focus inside the car. The problem I have is that Ford uses a special fitting on the ends of the lines that allows the fuel rail and fuel filter to be disconnected without tools. I want to keep these fittings but would like to use AN fitting for the rest of the line. How is this typically done. Do I need cut off the ford fitting from the end of the line and weld on an AN fitting to make an adaptor?

Andrew_Frick Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello All,

Hi Andrew,
>
> I have two questions for everyone.
>
> 1, What type of material are people using for
> under body protection and Mud flaps. and where
> can I source it?
>
> 2, I am thinking about running the fuel lines on
> my focus inside the car. The problem I have is
> that Ford uses a special fitting on the ends of
> the lines that allows the fuel rail and fuel
> filter to be disconnected without tools. I want
> to keep these fittings but would like to use AN
> fitting for the rest of the line. How is this
> typically done. Do I need cut off the ford
> fitting from the end of the line and weld on an AN
> fitting to make an adaptor?

Seriously, junk the standard "quick release" stuff, convert to AN. One wrench is hardly a big burden, and its secure when you tighten. I use steel hard lines thru the car, finish with a "tube nut" then a male -6 union so I have a AN end to connect the flexy hose swivel ends.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
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is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

So I can't completely abandon the factory fittings because the fuel pump and fuel rail both use them. Also the EVAP system which has a line that runs under the car uses these same fittings.

Unless there is a way to modify plastic fittings to accept AN fittings?

Plastic and fuel lines seem like a really bad idea to me.

Post some pics of what you are dealing with or maybe a detailed description of the line.
IE, in my car I have quick connects to fuel rail, plastic fuel lines to hard lines with quick connects, etc.

Don't be afraid to do a cheezy MS Paint drawing either. Materials is important.

---

Grant Hughes

What does Spec Focus say about fuel system upgrades?

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Grant Hughes

I will try to take some pictures and some drawings of the fuel system this evening.

As far as rules. The spec focus rules allow for any fuel pump, lines, or regulators to be used. I could also switch to a fuel cell if I wanted to. But that is not something I have the time or the money for right now. Plus I am not sure how I would make the evap system work with a fuel cell.


Also, does anyone have some direction on what to use for the plastic skidding and where to get it?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2007 04:30PM by Andrew_Frick.

Andrew,

I used 1/8" UHMW. I got it from Piedmont Plastics here in RTP. I think it was 10ft x 4ft. Had a devil of a time getting it rolled up and into the back seat of the WRX. It resists bending somewhat and is quite slippery. Desperately hoping the string wouldn't break on the way home - I can't imagine how it would have come out if it unravelled inside the car!

It's pretty tough stuff but will cut with a sharp knife. I mounted it so that it also covers the recessed channel in which the fuel and brake lines run. I vaguely recall it costing about $170. I used two bolts through the floor and a plethora of HVAC zip ties. There are quite a few pre-existing holes and slots under the Focus where the zip ties can mount. Was a bit tricky marking and drilling holes in the UHMW to match those but it's not a beauty contest down there. I put the leading edges up under the subframe and the rear edges tie into the rear suspension and flexes with it. If you recall, at Sandblast the leading edge on one side dropped down, which doesn't help AT ALL when you're trying to get through deep sand so make sure there are redundant mounts on the leading edges.

Simon

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Simon Wright
Owner/Driver USUK Racing - Home of the USUK Racing LED Light Bars!

North America Rally Map

Go to www.mcmaster.com and look up 8657K18

4x8 sheet is about $60 in 3/32 thickness. How thick you need depends on how rough your surface is. I think I had 3/16 inch, which was overkill even for Rim.

I've used this Low Density Polyethelene (LDPE) sheet before and it's pretty indestructable. Don't get too close to the exhaust, though, it's melty.

-Dave

So I picked up some LDPE at a local plastics supplier this weekend. I got a 4X8 sheet in 1/8" thick for around $100. It was a lot cheaper than the UHMW stuff.

I will let everyone know how it holds up at Rally WV.

drive to loading docks, and cold storage places and grab the long plastic drapes that cover the forklift doors. the material is the perfect width and made to be hit by forklifts, all day-night-hot cold.
once punctured, it tears, but since you can find 6ft x 14in scraps all day long for Free!, who cares.
mine are ribbed (for her pleasure)

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"I put the hurt on dirt" - adam crane
http://CraneRallyCrew.com
corolla gt-s "Patches"
Op: S.S.