Metal Fuel rails.. GoWesty? VanCafe? Others?

[61Scout]

[djkeev]

Assembled GoWesty fuel rails.....

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[t3 kopf]

My gowesty fuel rails, after maybe a month of actual use, have already started to weep slightly. I assembled them according to the directions and used the locktite..etc. they didnt leak or weep when i first installed them nor after the test runs. I checked them once every few trips to be sure. Now, today, they have a small amount of weepage around the end caps. I shoulda bought the van cafe version for a little more. They are leak tested. I put the plastic rails back on. They werent leaking anyway and they arent now. Next fuel line change, im switching to the van cafe version. The gowesty version is 60 bucks down the drain.
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'90 Carat w/ '95 phase 1 EJ22 OBD2 conversion

[westyventures]

One of these on each side and four barb fittings, what's the big deal?
If you must have all four fittings point the same way, use ells on the ends.
http://www.amazon.com/Threaded-Ports-Connect-Manifold-Splitter/dp/B00AKVFMP2
Or this one and plug the ends.
http://www.amazon.com/Amico-Pneumatic-Manifold-Splitter-Turquoise/dp/B00843USU2

[WestyBob]

Before I tapped into this thread but very recently I chose the VanCafe ones because I did have some concern about the Gowesty ones potentially leaking in time. More money for sure but for me personally any threat at all of leakage ... well ... that's a real bad location for a leak. So, I traded more money for hopefully peace 'o mind.

[teej]

I just purchased the van-cafe version also, and they lowered the price to be competitive with GW for a pair.

VC: 1 threaded connection per rail, at the billet end cap. Total = 2

GW: 5 threaded connections per rail. Total = 10. Too many places that can leak for my comfort.
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1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans

[t3 kopf]

Gowesty quickly agreed to refund my fuel rails. They are on their way back to the Golden State. Not opting to preassemble and pressure test them before selling them may have been a money issue for them or something. I would say that they are a risky purchase after this experience. Imagine if someone who doesnt obsess over their engine compartment burned up their van in my situation. I would have to say (in my opinion of course) that the vancafe rails are clearly the best and safest choice.
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'90 Carat w/ '95 phase 1 EJ22 OBD2 conversion

[leathersmyth]

I replaced my rails with the gowesty rails. Did the locktite etc..

Only have driven van little since replacing ( other things needed worked on) and they are weeping from end cap..........
Not impressed at all.
Took off old ones as preventive only to find the new ones issue...

Have just sent them a email asking What they will do to address....

Looks like should of gone other route without the end plug....

Will put old ones back on

.........

[leathersmyth]

They look nice and sturdy and like they will be perfect.

But the weakest link is Always an issue...........

[keithwwalker]

imo, the Van Cafe design having less threaded joints is inherently safer, but it is not the best design.

I have a set, but have not installed them yet...

The problem with the V-C and GoW designs is that both retain the little stub hoses that connect the manifold to the injector.

Modern fuel rails have eliminated that weak link.

Further, there is still the seemingly superfluous fuel return line on each manifold. More rubber hose to overheat and potentially fail.

I am thinking that the best design is one that totally eliminates the half-assed elements and is not a manifold, but a TRUE fuel rail.

A fuel rail would connect directy to the injectors.
I would go a step farther and rout the fuel regulator out of the engine bay totally, and above the left wheel well to the left of the transmission area. That way if you get a leak, it won't be spraying all over the exhaust pipes.

And connect it all with teflon lines overbraided with stainless steel and AN fittings. Some 914 guys actually did this

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=82144

[t3 kopf]

[keithwwalker]

Does anyone have the injector spacing, and bolt hole retainer dimensions handy?

[kamzcab86]

I used GoWesty's fuel line kit, but went with Van Cafe's fuel rails:

Didn't like the idea of GW's screw-in fittings.

[Mellow Yellow 74]

It's been about a year since the last post - is there any more feedback on the Gowesty fuel rails (good or bad)?
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1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)

[bluebus86]

boy, if gowesty cant make a leak tight tapered pipe thread, what else cant they do right? this should not be rocket science, did they tap the threads too deep, not enough threads, failure to use pipe sealant or teflon tape??? Good grief, quailty control sure sucks.

the best solution i have found is to use the one piece type IV pipe type rails, no joints no leaks

see link... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1931939

[Altoona]

[t3 kopf]

I'm of course not saying i'm incapable of making an error, but I know I didn't. The threads on these things are pretty course. Go westy didn't even question the refund either. Im past waterboxer rails at this point now that im running an ej22.
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'90 Carat w/ '95 phase 1 EJ22 OBD2 conversion

[bluebus86]

[kamzcab86]

[bluebus86]