Hello all,

The problem: My dad's 1980 245 died on the way home from work today. He was able to nurse it most of the way, but had to push it the last little bit. He said that the engine was idling incredibly rough and that the in-tank pump sounded a bit sporadic.

A little back story: The main fuel pump was making an awful noise a few weeks ago, so it was replaced. I was going to replace the in-tank pump as well, but it sounded fine. Also, there were complications to removing the access plate (see below). Maybe it was not so fine after all....

Back to the dead car: Having a new in-tank pump in hand, our first thought is to replace it and go from there. However, the connections on the access plate to the tank are not as illustrated in the manual. Instead of all the fuel lines being a rubber hose and metal fitting situation, one of them is a hard plastic (?) line that has no joint anywhere to be found. If I remember correctly (I am at work), the plastic line runs to the general vicinity of the main pump.

OK, my question: How am I suposed to remove the access plate with this plastic line in place? The access plate will not turn because of the plastic line. Can I cut the plastic line and mend the cut with some rubber fuel line and a pair of hose clamps, or is there some sort of irreparable damage that will be done by cutting the plastic line?

Thanks in advance.
Keith
--
1983 245 Turbo, 1966 Ford Bronco, GO BLUE!