Board logo

fuel line options?
daniel mason - 6/5/10 at 05:15 PM

what other options is there other than copper for my fuel lines? the size of my engine and lack of space means i could really do with something flexible and easy to bend! cheers

blakep82 - 6/5/10 at 05:16 PM

braided hose, there's some plastic option too, can't remember what its called, but its not cheap

daniel mason - 6/5/10 at 05:26 PM

can the rubber flexi pipe be used?

blakep82 - 6/5/10 at 05:32 PM

thats what i'm gonna use. though have a look in the IVA book, can't remember what it says. SVA used to say it had to have certain markings on it. i think the book now just says, it has to be suitable materials and not leak... i wouldn't just use rubber. use stainless braided at least

MikeRJ - 6/5/10 at 06:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
use stainless braided at least


But note that several people have discovered that the braiding is excellent for hiding any deterioration of the rubber underneath until the fuel starts dripping out!

I'd be interested to know if anyone stocks the OEM plastic fuel line and fittings used on most modern cars.

[Edited on 6/5/10 by MikeRJ]

matt_gsxr - 6/5/10 at 10:38 PM

Braided is what I have and I like it (previously I had solid copper and I worried about fractures and work-hardening).

With EFI there is no fuel smell unless you have a leak. With carbs it is more complicated as they "breathe" to the atmosphere, so leaks are less clear. To be honest that is why I got rid of the old carbs.

Go with fuel compatible braided flexi from a proper (non e-bay) supplier and you will be happy.

Matt

David Jenkins - 7/5/10 at 07:20 AM

If you decide to use rubber fuel line - make sure that it has the british standards number printed along its length (proper fuel hose always does). It will fail IVA if it isn't there. Mind you, this doesn't always mean anything... I had proper fuel line, and it decayed down to the canvas within 2 or 3 years.

I have a suspicion - and it's no more than that - that there are 2 BS numbers, one for the old leaded fuel and one for the modern unleaded. The modern petrol is nasty stuff that will destroy many forms of 'rubber' (real rubber and synthetic) so getting a decent flexible hose might be tricky.

The next time I do mine I'll probably try to get hold of that hard plastic tube that the big car companies use... if I can't get any, I'lll probably use Kunifer (like the good brake pipe material, but bigger diameter). The Kunifer is tough stuff that is resistant to work-hardening (but a bit tough to push into shape).

40inches - 7/5/10 at 07:47 AM

I would be very nervous about using rubber hose in the tranny tunnel, or anywhere it cant be seen Check this thread before you go ahead.
And this one.