Bruce - your fishing line idea is fantastic!
Leveraging that idea, this week I created special tool # 304-01 - the internal pipe cleaner...
I cut out an appropriate size piece of scotch brite and then threaded some fishing line right through the middle, before tying a knot either side to hold it in place:
Special Tool 304-01.jpg 57.96K
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I then proceeded to pull this backwards and forwards through the pipe. I thought it might break straight away as it looks quite flimsy, but was pleasantly surprised at just how well it held up. I could hear it scuffing the pipe (it actually made some pretty weird musical noises - I may have invented a new instrument).
Special Tool 304-02.jpg 66.08K
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Prior to this I had flushed the pipe several times and thought it was looking really clean, but you should have seen how much brown filth came out after scrubbing. Definitely proves the theory that physical scrubbing is so important.
Special Tool 304-03.jpg 190.17K
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It did eventually break after a dozen or so pull-throughs, so I quickly made another, flushed the pipe and repeated.... and for good measure squirted some throttle body/carby cleaner in there to keep it well nourished. Another flush and now I'm seeing bright shiny steel inside once again.
It's back in the molasses bath now for one final time. Then I'll give it a final scuff and be done with it.
So coming back to the main fuel lines on the car - I tried pushing fishing line through, but only got half way along before it just wouldn't continue any more. I think I need something slightly stiffer. I reckon the MIG wire idea could be the go here.