Chance of a fire too risky? Options

[macnichol]

Is it safe to try to start up my project with what I assume are original fuel lines? I won’t be driving anywhere, just want to see if it will turn over with the work I’ve done so far.

[Jett]

It is interesting that the mechanics said not to replace the lines with stainless. We replaced the lines on three 914’s as per our mechanics guidance.

IMO stainless helps me sleep better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

It is interesting that the mechanics said not to replace the lines with stainless. We replaced the lines on three 914’s as per our mechanics guidance.

IMO stainless helps me sleep better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I hear you, and am curious to watch this thread for others' viewpoints—although it's always a trick to balance forum wisdom vs that of experienced mechanics.

[Jett]

It is interesting that the mechanics said not to replace the lines with stainless. We replaced the lines on three 914’s as per our mechanics guidance.

IMO stainless helps me sleep better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I hear you, and am curious to watch this thread for others' viewpoints—although it's always a trick to balance forum wisdom vs that of experienced mechanics.

Understood, more data is good.

For context, we have two mechanics, one did his apprenticeship on 914’s at the Seattle dealer in the early 70’s... he told me that apprentices were not allowed to touch the 356’s or 911’s and were forced to work on the 914’s, which is lucky for me. Our other mechanic is Porsche Gold Certified, and did his apprenticeship in Germany in the early 80’s and then worked at RUF in NY for many years until coming to Seattle. He knows 914’s but did his apprenticeship on early 928’s.

Both mechanics agreed that the first thing to fix are the gas lines. That said, statistically the other mechanics might be right in that it probably wont be an issue, but I doubt any mechanic would disagree that SS is safer than plastic.

IMO it was cheap insurance and peace of mind...

btw. after the latest street fire posted we are buying fire extinguishers, for the same peace if mind.

[Superhawk996]

It is interesting that the mechanics said not to replace the lines with stainless. We replaced the lines on three 914’s as per our mechanics guidance.

IMO stainless helps me sleep better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I hear you, and am curious to watch this thread for others' viewpoints—although it's always a trick to balance forum wisdom vs that of experienced mechanics.

Understood, more data is good.

For context, we have two mechanics, one did his apprenticeship on 914’s at the Seattle dealer in the early 70’s... he told me that apprentices were not allowed to touch the 356’s or 911’s and were forced to work on the 914’s, which is lucky for me. Our other mechanic is Porsche Gold Certified, and did his apprenticeship in Germany in the early 80’s and then worked at RUF in NY for many years until coming to Seattle. He knows 914’s but did his apprenticeship on early 928’s.

Both mechanics agreed that the first thing to fix are the gas lines. That said, statistically the other mechanics might be right in that it probably wont be an issue, but I doubt any mechanic would disagree that SS is safer than plastic.

IMO it was cheap insurance and peace of mind...

btw. after the latest street fire posted we are buying fire extinguishers, for the same peace if mind.

Food for thought. A mechanic may or may not have your interests at the top of the list of things to advise on.

America has become a litigious socieity. Any number of lawyers would love to own your mechanics bussiness because he advised you to do something that then could be connected to a fire or loss of life.

Thus, keep the OEM lines is a very safe response from his perspective. If they do leak and you get hurt, it is not his problem. Your only recourse is to take it up with the OEM.

Plastic lines running though the passenger compartment would have little chance of meeting modern FMVSS 301 fuel system integrity testing. Obviously, a 1970's era 914 never had to meet this standard and the OEM will only be held to the standard in place at the time of vehicle manufacture.

Personally, for my vehicle, I'll go to stainless steel lines rather than depend on 40+year old plastic lines to have retained their original integrity regardless of what a professional mechanic may have to say given that he has a different self interest than I do.