Fuel Leak on 97 Tbird near tank

Hi,

I have a 1997 Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8.

Today it developed a fuel leak.   I parked up at work and when I came out later I could smell fuel in the
car.  I had a look around and under the car and I saw a small patch of fuel on the passenger side, just
forwards of the rear wheel.  When I tried to start the car it needed to be cranked over for about seconds
before it would fire, usually it fires after 1 second of cranking.

I jacked the car up tonight and had a look at where its leaking.  The leak is coming from around the area
where the metal fuel lines that run along the floor connect to the rubber lines and disappear into the dark
on their way to the top of the tank.  I can see some fuel on the rubber lines, and some fuel on the tank.  
When the engine is running there is no noticeable leak.

My theory, is that the leak must be in the rubber hose between the outlet on the top of the tank that
comes from the pump, to the metal pipe that runs along the floor to the engine.  I think this because given
the cars trouble to start, the pressure in the line must have been lost.  If I drive the car and stop the engine
for a couple of minutes it starts fine.  Its only if left for a while, during which time the fuel drops appear on
the road, that it has trouble starting so I assume the pressurised fuel in the line has been lost.

Does this sound like a plausable theory?  If so I need to know how to fix it....

My first thought is to replace the rubber hose section that goes from the pump to the metal pipes.  If so, I
assume I need to partially drop the tank so I can access where it connect to the pump outlet on top of the
tank?
Can this be done without removing the exhaust?
When replacing the hose can I just get some generic rubber hose and use a couple of jubilee clips or do I
need to buy a special hose from Ford?
How will the hose be attached at the top of the tank?  Do I need a special tool to remove it?

Many Thanks
-Chris