The problem is so potentially dangerous for owners of at least Studebaker Avantis (I cannot speak to the Avanti IIs) on which the original fuel lines have not been replaced, that I am going to cut and paste from my book the section where I describe the problem and the solution--replace the fuel lines. I apologize for this being so long, but take this seriously. It could save your car from burning up or your house or shop from burning down. It could save some lives. Here goes from p. 56 of my book: Finally, check the fuel lines at the point where they pass through the body and spring hanger bracket in front of the left rear wheel. You will need to remove the wheel to adequately inspect this area. Notice how both lines are encased in rubber tubing (at least they will be if the lines are still original). Apparently the lines were encased in this rubber tubing to protect them from rocks that might hit them from the tires or from the rubbing action that might take place inside the bracket. I am sure that made good sense to Studebaker engineers, but what they did not count on is that people like you and me would still be driving these cars almost forty years later. Over time, moisture has gotten between the rubber and the tubing and has been the best possible breeding ground for rust. If your fuel lines in this area have not been properly replaced, you almost certainly have a disaster just waiting to happen. Remember, the return line is pumping fuel back to the tank-under pressure-which means that the minute a leak occurs in that line it could be spraying gas all over the place, including onto hot, exhaust system parts. Lest you think I am being an alarmist, do a little test. Carefully cut away about an inch of the rubber cover at the end behind the rear wheel. What kind of shape is the steel in there? Mine was almost paper-thin, and this is not at all unusual on cars still having the original fuel lines. When you are convinced that it is time to replace these lines, here is what you will need and how to do it. First, drain all the fuel out of your tank. Look along the outer side of the frame in the general area of the driver's door, and you should see a brass Tee with a drain plug. Taking all the common-sense precautions, drain the fuel and transfer it to a fuel storage can. Remove all the routing clamps that hold the fuel lines in place and mark the threaded holes in the frame with chalk so you can easily find them again when in-stalling the new lines. It will also help if you will carefully observe the routing of the line; and if it is to be some months before you install the new ones, you might want to draw a "map" or take some pictures before ripping out the old lines. Now here is what you will need to replace those lines. For the supply line you will need four pieces of 3/8" O.D. brake line in the following lengths and se-quence working from back to front: 30"; union; 40"; Tee with drain plug; 60"; union; 20" piece cut to length at the front for the rubber tubing that goes to the fuel pump. For the return fuel line, use three pieces of 1/4" O.D. brake line in the following lengths and sequence, working from back to front: 60" (cut to 55"); union; 12"; union; 60" cut to length at the fuel pump. It naturally is easier to install these with the body off, but it can be done with the body on. In the case of the supply line I found it easiest to work from the drain Tee to the front and the rear, putting in the necessary bends as you thread the tubing into place. With the return line, I cut the 60" piece to 55" and worked from the area where it connected to the rubber fuel line that goes to the tank return at the left end of the crossmember, down the side rail, through the spring bracket and then on forward. If you are a stickler for authenticity (and that's the way to maximize your Avanti's value), you will want to install the new pieces of rubber protective hose on the tubing in front of the rear wheel. Measure the length of the old protective pieces and buy new rubber tubing of the correct ID to slip over the 1/4" and 3/8" metal tub-ing. Since both pieces of tubing have had the fitting end cut off at the rear crossmember end, you can slip the rubber tubing on from that end down to the area where it belongs. Use a little silicone grease to lubricate the pieces if the fit is too tight. But you are not done until you have done one more thing. As a safety measure, use hose clamps or black silicone rubber cement to seal off the area between the protective rubber tubing and the metal tubing that runs through it. Yes, do both ends. You do not want this to once again become the breeding ground for rust. I used the silicone rubber approach so it would not disturb the appearance of authenticity. One last detail on the installation of the steel fuel line. At the left front corner of the engine, do not let the fuel line touch either the head or the engine block. If it does touch, heat will be transferred to the fuel line and cause gas in the line to boil, thus causing vapor lock. Also avoid allowing the line to touch the power steering pump body. OK, everyone, go check this out on your car now. I will be curious as to how many still have the original fuel lines encased in rubber tubing in front of the driver's side rear wheel, and how many have rusty fuel lines hidden beneath that rubber. Stan Gundry, Author/Publisher