Replacing fuel filler neck hose

So recently my 97 Escort started smelling like gas and when the tank is full it would be leaking gas near the gas tank. I found that the rubber hose that connects the filer neck to the tank was cracked and leaking. So after some work I was able to remove it. However, the 1 and 3/4" hose that is recommended to replace it is going to be IMPOSSIBLE to get back on. I've tried Vaseline on the inside of the tube, and on the opening of the tank and I just can't get it to go on. And even if I were able to get it on, its going to be near impossible to get it to bend enough to go onto the filler neck.

So couple questions. Is there a better fit hose for this? And will I need to remove the filer neck to get it to fit on there once it's on the tank?

Any other advice on how to replace this hose?

Edit: Oh and I even pulled out my heat gun and heated up the end of the hose. No cigar.

Edit 2: And BTW, I called the Ford dealership, the oem part was only made for those couple of years, not made anymore. There is one being sold on Amazon that looks like it will fit, that looks more made to fit and looks thinner and easier to fit on, but one of the reviews showed pictures of it failing fantastically after about 3 months. Motorcraft KFL22 Fuel Line Assembly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V52EV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_D1I4zb9GX50C6

The KFL22 hose is the replacment one I have used. I dont know of any others. I own and use as daily driver five 2nd gen Escorts; have had to fix two so far. I took the fuel filler neck off, and to get the hose back onto the tank and onto the fuel filler neck, what I found worked was to find something about the right size, that tapers largers, and to stuff it into the end of the hose - and leave it or a day or two. I dont recall the exact item, except it had peanut butter in it originally. The lid tapers, and was just the right size to slightly expand the end of the hose. With some oil on the lip of the tank where the hose fits, I was able to shove it on. I then used a screw clamp to make it stay put. I put the tapered top of the food product into the back end of the hose - and a day later I got the fuel filler neck to to into the KFL22 hose. A little oil rubbed on the inside of the hose and the outside of the fuel filler neck helped.
As for how long the new hose lasts; I replace it on my 92LX about 8 years ago. Still not leaking now.
When I do the next one, I think I will smear some permatex ultra black, an RTV rubber material that never hardens. This will keep air and exhaust fumes from the hose.
I bought a couple of extra of th e KFL22 hoses a coule of years back, just in case they became hard to find. I keep them in a dark place in my workshop.

The KFL22 hose is the replacment one I have used. I dont know of any others. I own and use as daily driver five 2nd gen Escorts; have had to fix two so far. I took the fuel filler neck off, and to get the hose back onto the tank and onto the fuel filler neck, what I found worked was to find something about the right size, that tapers largers, and to stuff it into the end of the hose - and leave it or a day or two. I dont recall the exact item, except it had peanut butter in it originally. The lid tapers, and was just the right size to slightly expand the end of the hose. With some oil on the lip of the tank where the hose fits, I was able to shove it on. I then used a screw clamp to make it stay put. I put the tapered top of the food product into the back end of the hose - and a day later I got the fuel filler neck to to into the KFL22 hose. A little oil rubbed on the inside of the hose and the outside of the fuel filler neck helped.
As for how long the new hose lasts; I replace it on my 92LX about 8 years ago. Still not leaking now.
When I do the next one, I think I will smear some permatex ultra black, an RTV rubber material that never hardens. This will keep air and exhaust fumes from the hose.
I bought a couple of extra of th e KFL22 hoses a coule of years back, just in case they became hard to find. I keep them in a dark place in my workshop.
Thanks, that's good to know. I ended up using the KFL22, and it went on ok. Yeah I had to pull the filler neck back a bit, and oil the inside of the hose. I'm not entirely sure I got the bend of the hose right, it may be stressed in the wrong spot lol. Hopefully I'm not replacing it again in 6 months! Thanks for the reply.

I'm guessing you've figured it out by now, however I thought I'd respond anyway. I've done it on two of the previous era cars ('92-'96) and it's never been easy. The third time I had a shop do it as it was leaking so badly. The first two times I believe I used a new Ford parts hose, and removed the metel upper filler neck to do it. This may sound obvious, but first time around I tried to do it without removing it and it was a major PITA.

I'm guessing you've figured it out by now, however I thought I'd respond anyway. I've done it on two of the previous era cars ('92-'96) and it's never been easy. The third time I had a shop do it as it was leaking so badly. The first two times I believe I used a new Ford parts hose, and removed the metel upper filler neck to do it. This may sound obvious, but first time around I tried to do it without removing it and it was a major PITA.

Yeah I just used the KFL22 replacement, and it fit ok. I did have remove the filler neck to get it to fit. Although if I have to do it again, I think I would use some white out or something, and draw a straight line down the length of the tube, so that when I get it on I can tell if it is straight or twisted. Because I have a feeling that the hose is torqued a weird way and is under undue stress and is going to fail early.

good idea - I think I recall having the some problem with it getting twisted since it was either too long, or bent in a slightly different place than the one on the car.. I'm hoping I don't have to do it again - what a pain! With the way my current problems are going (safety switch thread), I may not have to....

good idea - I think I recall having the some problem with it getting twisted since it was either too long, or bent in a slightly different place than the one on the car.. I'm hoping I don't have to do it again - what a pain! With the way my current problems are going (safety switch thread), I may not have to....
Yeah hoping to never have to do it again, but the reviews on this hose weren't the greatest, and I do think it is probably under stress the way I put it on. So we'll see. At least now I know how to do it, and know I need to take the filler neck off, and don't have to spend 2 hours trying to do it with it on!

Just read through your safety switch thread. What an adventure lol. Good luck with that!

Well, 2 years my friends. That's how long this crappy hose lasted. It's now cracked and leaking. And I don't want to replace it with the same thing. Anyone found anything better?