Is there an actual requirement that the fuel line in the transmission tunnel be a hard line rather than 8mm fuel hose? Is this just for safety as it will be less prone to damage?

I have had to remove a (kinked) copper fuel line to fit my electric reverse and it will be easier and quicker to replace with one length of hose rather than bend a new kunifer or copper pipe.

I am sure having done a search there will be plenty of opinions. What do we think in terms of sensibleness and IVA?

PS there will be no joins in the tunnel and it is a carb'd ZX9 so just one pipe.

Cheers
Rich

as far as i can tell in the new iva manual, theres no spec for fuel lines. just as long as they are secure and not leaking. strangely, theres not mention of the hose having any markings on it

rubber seems fine (go with stainless braided though)

I personally wouldn't run any more than you have to in rubber.

Mine perished in April this year, spraying fuel all over the inside of the transmission tunnel and over the main fuse!!

Mike

How old was the hose?

Anyone recommend a supplier of braided fuel hose by the metre?

The issue with bending hard pipe is the bend at the rear of the tunnel through the diff mount which is where I found one of the kinks when removing the old pipe. Looks a bit tricky to bend especially in kunifer which is harder than copper.

Rich

IMHO... Braided pipes are a BAD idea!

If you get a small piece of grit in the braid it can wear through the inner pipe and cause a leak/explosion..

There was a recent incident on a piston helicopter where the braided fuel line failed due to grit ingress... this created a very fine mist of fuel inside the engine compartment... causing explosion and airframe failiure killing the pilot and passenger.....

I would use copper/kunifer correctly fitted in the tunnel... you can then leave it alone and forget about it..


I ran my copper fuel pipes inside some plastic conduit pipe for added protection....

[Edited on 18/8/09 by tegwin]

i got mine from eds on ebay. he's a top man

the way i see it, if rubber hose is going to fail, its going to fail wherever it is. and you'll need to have it in certain places anyway, like at your carbs. its just as likely to fail there as it is anywhere else. its just a case of putting it sensibly.

[Edited on 18/8/09 by blakep82]

Here's a piece of the hose I took out...



I replaced it with copper.

The rubber "leaks" fuel vapour and you have a stink of fuel all the time. Copper as much as you can and rubber (the correct stuff for the rest)
Then use this technique to put ends on the copper to prevent the rubber creeping off.......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omlIXsk-Y4k

Another vote for copper or hard plastic (like OEM's do)

Replaced 2 sections that looked just like Mr Jenkins example- was new 6 months ago!
If it was in braid- I guess it wouldn't have been spotted and I would be pootling round oblivious in a timebomb

In my tunnel I have one copper (feed) and one plastic (for return)

I've started stripping the car for a major overhaul and am considering replacing the copper one for plastic as I have a few kinks in the run
(and paranoid that I did re shape it quite a few times and may have work hardened areas)

Regards
Rob

Thanks chaps. Am really surprised by the issues with the rubber hoses. Looks like copper is going to be better bet. Hopefully can bend it without kinking.

Rich