a cheaper solution wanted

[Zedrally]

Most of these replies are becoming emotive and serve little purpose.

The 100 bucks isn't the real issue here, the question was "is there an alternative".

A simple yes or no would suffice, without the need to graphically illustrate the reply.

[Bambikiller240]

There are always alternatives, but many of them aren't worth a $hit. Sometimes people need a little dose graphic reality to wake them up from their foolish endevours.

As far as I am concerned for most people there ISN"T an alternative to buying a new or used OEM part. Cuttng and grafting something onto the remnants of the original hose is a stop gap measure at best, and at worst, downright dangerous.

Making a new one, like Will describes is fine if you have the skills and equipment (and are willing to sacrifice a new part to make the mold), but it isn't practical for *most* of us. Which is not to discourage Will from tackling the job, as if he is successful, many could benefit from his labors.

[EScanlon]

I'm not trying to come down on the ingenuity and creativity that we have to have in order to fashion repairs and / or replacements. That is what sometimes makes the difference between a car you can drive and one that sits in the driveway because the parts are falling apart and won't stay together.

BUT

When it comes to safety items, there ARE viable alternatives, but they aren't cheap. The true cheap alternatives are rare and need careful evaluation, before applying. Sometimes the cheap alternative is simply NOT the way to go. Think about it, would you patch the tube with duct tape and hope for the best? The biggest problem with trying to manufacture an alternative is that there are not that many substances available to the home mechanic that will not only be impervious to fuel but also flexible after curing.

The $100 may seem to NOT be the question but it is in fact, the central point of this whole discussion. If the $100 did not seem expensive he would have just replaced the piece and never posted about it. The search for cheaper alternatives, although normally a worthwhile and possibly profitable venture for all of us, is not the answer here. Would you manufacture your own brake pads just because you can mold High Temp Epoxy with metal shavings?

As far as the too-graphic reminders of what can go wrong, sadly, even with that there will be people who ignore all sorts of graphic warnings and become victims themselves.

Bambi's post speaks volumes. Most of us are hoping to find easier and cheaper solutions but unfortunately those "cheap" solutions are sometimes achieved only after years of experience and procurement of tools, materials etc.. And let's not forget that there are THOUSANDS of cases where what seemed to work, was in fact the Achille's Heel that caused a failure.

So, let's find those cheaper alternatives where they are indeed cheap. A cheap fix that ends in catastrophic loss was expensive in my view.

Enrique

[Gav240z]

I must say couldn't have put it better Enrique.. I guess it's what i was really trying to say above but didn't get it out in those words.

[hls30.com]

I would never make a part with the 80s Billy Crystal attitude, or repairs from the Redd Green school of automotive repair-though I will laugh at both. I do not scrimp on safety eqiuipment or tools as I want them to do their assigned job perfectly every time I call on them. The same holds true with parts I make. I have made some that didn't meet my expectation, and they ended development in file 13. The ideas I mentioned early in this post have al been used by GM in atleast a handfull of cars, and are proven in this type of application, but not this specific application.

I don't want a big red safety issue on my car either. I will appologize for what was obviously construed as a cavalier attitude for making such a potentially lifesaving-or threatening part. That was not my intent, and I do understand how that could have come across. Making suitable parts is always more than "will it bolt on?"

On the other hand I do not believe that engineers are the only ones who can have a great idea and a fantastic implementation.

Will

[Zhead]

Thanks for sharing your time and experience.

I think the new part will be a safe solution, not neccesarily the safest, but I cannot put a price on safety, this means that I have to kiss goodbye to a 100 bucks :nervous:.

Honestly I was expecting more ideas than comments, but this comments make common sence.

My quest for the cheaper idea, was because I want to takle many things at the same time and run out of money. Import the car into mexico, wheels, polish the wheels, upholstery, new tires, an so on. And I can't wait to be behind the wheel of a Z. But I must wait

Other thing, can someone tell me how to upload a picture to the post, so I don't have to change the avatar like I did this time.

[Bambikiller240]

Other thing, can someone tell me how to upload a picture to the post, so I don't have to change the avatar like I did this time.

On the page where you type in your post, scroll down a bit to where it says "Additional Options". In that area is a button that says "Manage Attachments", click that. A small window will open with a button that says "Browse" click that button. Another window opens to the files on your computer, select the photo file that you want to upload by double clicking. After that, the window to your files closes, and you then click on "Upload" button on the "Manage Attachments" window. When the upload is complete you can close that window and complete your post as you would normally, with the attachment included.

[EScanlon]

Will:

I hope you did not take my diatribe as a personal insult as it was not meant that way. I will apologize to anyone that may have thought that was my intent.

I'm all for cheap fixes. Remember my cowl drain fix; or the shower curtain for the vapor barrier behind the door panels; or using POR-15 along with their Power Mesh to reinforce rusted metal? All of these are cheap when compared to the "correct/OEM" fix. It is for those cheap alternatives that this forum and it's members are such an excellent source for.

Let's continue to find those alternatives, let's discuss them, and best of all, let's keep them safe. I'm counting on getting a decade or two out of my Z yet.

Enrique

[hls30.com]

Enrique, I was insulted only that I didn't see the attitude you saw, which means I missed it while I was responding. All you did was point it out, and I am glad you did. You have never seen my work, and with the ease I used to reference making a part, I probably would have sounded the alarm too. That's why we are here, to offer and receive help!

WIll

[beandip]

WHEN WE HAVE A DISCUSSION WE ALL LEARN AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE . NO FLAIME INTENDED . Gary

[e_racer1999]

reviving old post.... the same thing happened to me yesterday, so i was wondering if you had an update?

[MikeW]

Perhaps a used filler tube in reasonably good condition would be better than trying to fabricate something:

http://www.zparts.com/ads/restoration/restore_index.html