Hot Rods Fuel line running high up under dashboard?

I just bought a 1940 Ford Convertible with a mildly souped up Flathead motor. For some reason the gas line, after leaving the electric fuel pump, comes up through the floor and runs behind the driver side kick panel. It then goes high up under the cowl, does a couple of loops with neoprene hose before heading back down through the floor and on to the regulator, stock fuel pump and to the dual 97's. Anyone know of a possible reason for running the gas line this way? Seems like a pretty dangerous idea.

 

Not sure why, but you need to get the gas line out of the passenger compartment.

 

Seems pretty sketchy. I'm guessing the neoprene hose is for extra safety.

 

I agree 100 % but I just want to hear a possible reason why someone would do that in the first place?

 

I'd dam sure reroute the line outside the passenger compartment for safety. Never heard of that before?

 

That thing sort of works with an EV.

 

Someone thought they had a smart idea? Sounds like bad news to me

 

Builder wanted a high point, above tank and carb, so fuel could not flow back toward tank when engine/pump is shut off?

 

When gas was iffy and running times in hot traffic was more,,,
crazy things were used to reduce fuel temp ( vapor lock )
Other than that, the guy was a nut

 

Sounds like a possible reason but why not just switch on the electric pump for a few seconds instead of going through all that trouble?

 

He must have been a NASCAR fan, they run the fuel line through the car. I am surprised how many on here run the fuel line on the driveshaft side of the frame and have fuel lines mounted on the fire wall. But yeah that is about the worst idea I have heard of.

 

How did the heaters back then work?
Didn't they use fuel line for them inside the car?

 

Rubber fuel line on the pressure side of the pump in the passenger compartment, what could go wrong?
Hose leaks and sprays fuel in your lap, please fix it BEFORE you drive it.

 

I seem to remember that there were gasoline powered accesory heaters back in the day, mostly a VW thing?

 

I had one in a 46 Ford

 

Probably wanted a fuel-pressure gauge inside where he could see it while engine is under load at various speeds.
Marcus...

 

The seller feels that you drove his price down too far, so he thought it might be funny to see you do a Daffy Duck / Wile E. Cyote impersonation?

 

Car heater seems plausible

 

Something that was supposed to be temporary to read fuel pressure as mentioned, but turned out more permanent. I’d change it asap or put up no smoking signs inside the car.

 

People do stupid things all the time. Just fix it and make it safe and move on.

 

Hondas in the 80’s ran the fuel and brake lines in the car under the carpet on the floor . One continuous metal line .


I owned a winter beater where is rusted out and got a pin hole leak .

stupid design then , stupid in your car as well .
That chance of failure may be slim , but it’s not zero .

 

Dumbest Idea of the Day Award winner.

 

I know you're just wondering why, so I'll ask if the line is spliced in the passenger compartment? May have had pressure gauge, or primer bulb in there, for operator access with whatever engine at the time. Then removed, just continued the line to the engine, or the replacement engine with proper fuel pump on it.

 

Sounds like a good theory! It is 5/16" copper tube coming in and up connected without the use of hose clamps to a double loop of 5/16" hose and then back down with another 5/16" copper tube through the floor.

 

Seller did it just to drive the new owner crazy.

 

I sure will "Fix it" I just wanted to share and hear back different theory's!

 

Yeah, well, a moment of thought should make it obvious why running gas lines to an in cabin heater, might be a bad idea. People did it, yes indeed, that doesn't mean installation was always up to par, fittings could loosen, lines could crack, next thing you know, your lap is on fire.

 

so, either way, it keeps you warm.