I need to replace the steel fuel line that runs under the car. When I was getting some new brake line a few weeks ago I noticed Advance Auto has steel brake line in about the same size and even bigger then the fuel line on the Mav. I assume those lines are for big trucks. If I can get a piece of steel brake line about the same size or slightly bigger would that work ok as a fuel line? I figgure a couple of 5 or 6 footers would work fine. I would connected them about half way under the car with a brass brake line union and then cut the flares off the other 2 ends and hook them up as normal with the rubber line to the engine and gas tank. Sound ok? Or am I way off?
i went to my local speed shop and bought a 25' roll of 3/8 aluminum Morosso Fuel line. i took out all my line...and made the new fuel line in 2 major sections, spliced together with a small piece of rubber hose. the aluminum fuel line is easy to bend by hand and i tucked it up under the sub frame and floor and it looks nice and out of the way... i wanted to go bigger than stock, so that i can always have a good supply of fuel if i decide to get a fuel hogger... also NHRA says that you cannot have more than 12 inches of rubber fuel line in a car at any NHRA sanctioned drag strip... that includes connecting to the fuel tank, connecting the middle of the fuel line, and connecting to the fuel pump and the carburetor.. hope this helps you out
The purpose is to eliminate as much rubber line as possible. There would probably be less then a foot of rubber line the way I want to do it. I don't know of any "local speed shops" that sell aluminum line, nor do I have the time and money to screw around with it. The stock steel line has lasted for 31 years. Can't see much reason to go to aluminum other then it will be kinked and smashed easyer by rocks and stuff flying up off the road. This car will never see any NHRA racing. I appreciate it though.
Advance, or any other auto supply store, should have bulk steel fuel line sections. If you don't have a flare tool or bender, most places rent simple tools. You can follow the old lines for a guide. I would think that brake lines would be too narrow, not to mention they would cost more then bulk fuel line. But if it's big enough, it should be fine too, just cost more.
the reason why i did not use the steel lines.... it is a pain in the A@@ to put the line up...mark it...take it out...bend it....put it back in ....mark it..bend it...put it in...mark it... etc and after you make a few bends, the line will be impossible to put back in where you want it so you can mark it for the next bend...unless you make a perfect copy off of the old line, when i took mine out, it bent in a few places, so putting a steel line back in was gonna be a pain. .. using the aluminum isnt as weak as a lot of people think....if you put it in the line clamps that held the original, it wont be hanging any lower than the old line and it looks nice having the aluminium line around the black under surface... and aluminum doesnt rust like steel does so it should last longer
Brake line isn't expensive at all. Maybe 3 bucks for a 5 foot piece. When I asked the guy at Advance for fuel line he took me back to the rubber hoses. When I told him I needed the steel line, he looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. I will install it just like I did all the brake lines I have replaced, start at one end and bend it as needed and attach it as I go. Never have seen a point in takeing it out, bending, test fitting, takeing it back out and bending it again then test fitting again. Waste of time. Just Just start at one end and bend and attach as you go. Looks like it will work fine then. Thanks
Just got back from Auto Zone and Advance. Talked to the managers, neither sell bulk steel fuel line tubeing. I just bought 3 5 foot lengths of 3/8's brake line and 3 5/8's brass unions. Cost 18 bucks in all and should last many, many more years. 3/8's appears to be the factory size.
seems like 3/8 is correct. I used unions and straight pieces. If brake fluid under high pressure won't leak at a union I am not worried about it leaking with a factory block mounted fuel pump sucking fuel from the tank. Seth
i prefer to use the 3/8 steel brake line on a street driven vehicle rather than aluminum. ive seen kicked up gravel/rocks close the soft aluminum or puncture it, unless protected by some foam insulation or something similar. just my .02
You're on the right track Jamie, besides, the Moroso aluminum line will cost way more and for what. The steel line with the fittings is the way to go. I'm shocked at these parts managers who don't know what bulk steel 3/8 line is though, I sold lots of this when I was in parts but you then have to cut and flare the ends where as now all you have to do is bend and join. Yes, the lines and the fittings will work just fine for your useage. p.s. I thought you replaced the line a few months ago when the line was flattened out on you?
Nope. I just pulled the old line loose and cut the flattend part out and then flushed the gunk out and replaced the cut out part with a piece of rubber line. We smelled gas this morning on the way to school. When I got home I looked under the car and see that the line is wet. It has a tiny pin hole not far up from the place I cut out. Decided this time to just replace it all. I just got the new line installed. Test drove the car and all seems well. When you tap all 3 pieces of the old line on the ground rust and junk falls out.
I'm surprised too that they did not have the bulk tubing. Might be a regional thing, as rotted brake and fuel lines happen all the time up here in the great white north! You can get it anywhere.
the morosso line was 22.99.. you paid 18 or so.... so not that expensive... bending and test fitting...um.. that is so you know which way and how much to bend the line....trust me..i bent aluminum and steel lines for hydrauilics and fuel and what not in the military for 10 years on jets. i was just trying to offer you a little help and other directions you could go with the project. i didnt know you would get a little defensive considering you hadnt done it before. i only did the fuel line install about 1-2 months ago. thought i could offer some assistance. good luck
