Hello, i bought an old 71 cutlass with the intention of restoring it with my dad because he had a 68 camaro and restored that himself before i was born. turns out he was not all that helpful when it came to helping me restore my car. i'm a newbie to cars in general and any advice on helping me get jump started into learning more about my car is appreciated. my current issue is that i need to replace a bit of rubber fuel line. I don't know what size hose i'm supposed to use for my car and i cant seem to find it anywhere on the internet.

 

Welcome,

Fuel line is sold by the foot, the size is measured by the internal diameter (ID) and is sometimes stamped or printed on the old hose. The common ID's are 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8" and can be measured by placing an open end wrench over the pipe to gauge the pipe OD the same as the hose ID. Use new clamps when replacing hose, don't let it kink, chafe or be to close to anything hot like the exhaust system etc.

Use the best quality hose you can find at a real auto parts store vs a chain.

Good luck!!!

 

Welcome to the site!

Show us some pictures of your car. That will really help us know what you are working on.

As for the rubber fuel line, most common sizes are 5/16" and 3/8" depending upon where in the fuel system the line is used.

 

Welcome to the site, usually we here the kid is not much help in father and son projects. I like to use fuel injection fuel line bought locally at your parts store.

 

lol well to be fair we have a project house and he's been busy totally rebuilding my mom's office and now hes on the kitchen. hes got his work cut out for him plus the car is mine and my responsibility. i knew what i was getting into when i bought it.

 

Welcome, youve landed in a good place for help. Buy yourself a 1971 Oldsmobile Chassis Servive Manual, it will help you with nearly everything you will need to repair on your Cutlass.

 

oh that sounds like something i defiantly need thank you for the tip

 

Welcome, lots of help on this site. One other thing you might do is go to car shows, swap meets, auto parts stores, etc to ask quick questions from car guys. As you have seen you really can't get all answers on the internet...

 

Welcome to the group... Good luck with your 71 project... Plenty of knowledgeable members here should you need assistance....

 

I want to do all of that but because of Covid not a whole lot of that goes on anymore. the internet my main resource as of now so ill try and make it work

 

Welcome Josh. Someone here may have an extra they would part with but here is the CSM for 71.

 

Theres a load of 71 CSMs for sale on Ebay, ranging from 20 to 100 dollars, originals, reprints, and digital copies. Try to get an original, or a digital, as long as it has the electrical diagrams in color. I have both for my 1970. That way I can have an inside copy that doesnt get dirty, and the digital can print out pages to use in the garage that wont matter if I get grease 0on them.

 

Sure you can, you just need to find a reliable source, and this site is a reliable source. I should say it is THE source for accurate Olds information. We have many knowledgeable people who will readily correct any wrong information or BS that is posted.

 

You're right I suppose... It's a whole different world for a young guy than I grew up in. When I needed to replace a fuel line as a 17 year old I would walk down to the little 1 man parts store with the old one in my hand and get a new piece. Different world now a days. Now I guess a guy would spend a hour or so trying to find out what size hose he needs than order it on Amazon and wait for it. Covid does make it harder also... Well anyway -yes this site is the best resource for sure, but doing things locally is easiest if you know who to ask...

 

And, it can be hit or miss with some parts store employees. If you get an employee staring back at you like a deer in your headlights run away, don’t walk.