Fuel leak is fixed.  Whew!  

 

Everything turned out for the best!  I checked the tank in its entirety with a mirror and flashlight, and there is no visible rust anywhere on the tank.  This is consistent with the rest of the vehicle, which is incredibly rust free save for a few minor little places.  The seal on top of the tank was in great shape, and no leaks were found there.

 

I checked all the fuel lines, which were mostly in very good shape (they look like they may have already been replaced once).  Some had the ends split, so if the hose was still pliable, I cut off the split and re-attached (I’m avoiding dropping the fuel tank for when I can leave the car down for a few days).  

 

The main, and only, leak was found in return-line fuel hose, where the junction is made from the metal return-line to the top of the fuel tank.  Midway up the rubber hose it was sliced, and was leaking fuel rather profusely.  This was easily replaced.  After replacement, I ran the vehicle while still on the jack stands and thoroughly checked for leaks and none were found anywhere.

 

Now I’m curious to see how my fuel economy improves (I can’t imagine it getting any worse).  Ever since I bought the vehicle, it smelled of fuel.  So all this time I have been leaking fuel -- driving, idling, etc.  My good friend Berry had once mentioned to me that he got 14 mpg in his 164 with a manual.  I scratched my head and thought that the 11 mpg I was getting was due to the piss-poor BW35 auto.  When I changed over to the M410 manual, I was hoping to get Berry-like fuel economy, but that wasn’t in the stars for the Blue Beast.  The best I’ve ever been able to squeeze out of her has been 12 mpg.  Now that I’m not dumping fuel all over the place, I’m really hoping that this vehicle will get better mileage.

 

I’ll report my fuel economy findings once I’ve gone through a full tank of gas.