1990  F-250  Super Duty  5.8L  5spd  2 wd

fuel line question, i broke off the small piece attached to the gas tank
because the clip was jammed and i yanked it, my fuel line appears to be all
one piece, meaning from front to back there are two Y connections going back
to both tanks all one piece( 2 seperate one piece lines both with Y's) i am
thinking these are the original lines from Ford.

Q:anyways my question is, can i attach another fixed piece line of same to
that plastic tubing and just make a connection with some sort of heat
shrinking tube?
it appears this is how it was done.
Q: also can they just be fitted and butted up against each ends and hosed
over then clamped nice and tight?

i would rather heat shrink the new fittings together and save as much of the
original lines if that is possible, would be easier.
 on top of this i learned that the line had to be plugged because of
reverse flow from my rear tank. i finally magyverred up a patch to take me
home. i am doing both front and rear tanks so i will have all the lines
exposed. i will be sure not to break the other hose. sometimes the caveman
in me gets the upper hand.