The steel fuel line is leaking at the bend just to the rear of the driver's door in my 68 convertible. Is there a way to patch this, or is replacement the only option?

 

cut it in half put a piece of fuel hose on it and clamp it down it will stop leaking. true fix is replacing the entire line...

 

You could cut it and use a compression fitting. But if it was me I would cut it and get out my flare tool and put a flare fitting in. Put a tube nut on each end then double wall flare it and put a union between them. If the line is really getting bad it will likely leak some place else , it might be worth it to replace the line.

 

I ordered a new one. This one looks like the original and it probably will start to leak somewhere else like you said. There's a plate with 3 bolts that covers part of the line and bolts to the floor. I guess it's for protection? There was nothing between the line and the plate. Is there supposed to be something else in there? Also, I bought the standard steel line - not stainless. Should I coat it with anything?

 

No need to coat it, most of the stuff these days is aluminized or zinc coated etc. The plate just hold the line in place and protects it, yeah.

 

Undercoating it should be OK?

 

Undercoating won't hurt it, but like 67 said, I'd leave it bare.

Was the leak in the old one caused by rust or was it loose against something and vibration rubbed a hole in it?

 

Gas is slowly leaking from a rusted spot in a bend in the line where nothing is rubbing against it.

 

OK. Once the new gas line is on, what do I need to do to get the car started. Do I need to prime the carb, the fuel pump, or something. I didn't drain all the gas out. I just drained enough gas out and raised the front end so the gas wouldn't run down thru the line.

 

As long as your fuel pump is good and there is plenty of gas in the tank then it shouldn't take but just a few seconds of cranking to get fuel up to the carb. You could give it a squirt or two down the carb if you want to but you shouldn't really have to prime anything.

Being how you're replacing the fuel line I'd remove the coil wire altogether (don't want any wayward sparks finding any as yet unknown possible leaks) and have a buddy crank it over while you inspect your handy-work for leaks both fore and aft.