fuel line questions

[jguzzi]

I am replacing my 35 year old fuel lines on my 78 Convert....they had hardened and were close to splitting.  Question:  what purpose does the crossover serve and is it necessary for carb balance, reserve, etc.?  I have some cloth braided rubber fuel line I use on a BMW....what do think of it?  Should I use something else?

Thank you for all advice.

[guzzisteve]

That hose is OK. The X over is so you can do both carbs on 1 petcock. Like if 1 side of tank runs out. The other solution is to put dual banjo on inlet of carb. Then it's strait down from ea petcock and from 1 carb to the other.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Save yourself a possible load of grief and put on the dual banjo arrangement. Don't ask me how I know. 
The original reason for the X over is this: You can run all the time on the right selector. If you hit reserve at a bad time, such as late splitting the 405 at 80 mph  you can simply reach down with your left hand and turn on the left selector while keeping it running with your right on the throttle.
Great idea, poor execution when a fuel line vibrates loose from that X over and causes a fire.