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Projects Traditional fuel line?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Boden, Oct 3, 2019.

  1. Boden
    Joined: Oct 10, 2018
    Posts: 747

    Boden

    What is more traditional. Rubber fuel line or a hard line. I’m deciding wether to use copper line all bent nicely and polished. Or should I use the see through red rubber line. What would you guys have used in the 50s and 60s


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  2. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
    Member
    from Ioway

    Red "see through" rubber fuel line? That sounds like a really bad idea, that was probably a bad idea back then too. Modern gas is more corrosive too. Somethin', anyway.
     
    Gman0046 likes this.
  3. Boden
    Joined: Oct 10, 2018
    Posts: 747

    Boden

    You guys know. This stuff. [​IMG]


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  4. TimCT
    Joined: Jun 6, 2017
    Posts: 169

    TimCT
    Member

    There was another long thread on this fairly recently. That 'cool' red stuff gets brittle and cracks pretty quick and gets discolored and ugly even quicker, especially if you're not running a hood and its exposed to UV. Go with hard lines, and black rubber fuel line where you need to account for vibration, like where the hard line connects to fuel pump. I think NHRA rules say no more than 12" of rubber line total, and that's for a good reason. Fire = bad.

    Tygon is green/yellow, translucent, and is chemically resistant (though there are a few different versions that have different properties), so it might fit your bill. I use it for all my small engine fuel lines, though I wouldn't put it on my car. I don't ever seem to build anything where fancy fuel lines would look like they belonged, anyway.
     

  5. Boden
    Joined: Oct 10, 2018
    Posts: 747

    Boden

    [​IMG] that’s the motor. It will have a weiand intake and 2 deuces pretty soon. I think the motor turned out pretty nice and I don’t really want just plain black rubber line on it.


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  6. Tetanus
    Joined: May 20, 2007
    Posts: 271

    Tetanus
    Member

    maybe run hard line and then slide some of the red hose over for the look your after?
     
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  7. Boden
    Joined: Oct 10, 2018
    Posts: 747

    Boden

    I don’t really care what I use. I just want to use what would be more traditional


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  8. TimCT
    Joined: Jun 6, 2017
    Posts: 169

    TimCT
    Member

    As always, it depends on what your definition of traditional is.

    For what its worth, I'm planning on bending up a length of NiCopp from the pump to the carb on my SBC. I like the copper look and its super easy to bend and flare and make for a nice clean install. Going to stick with a (traditional) steel line down the frame to the tank.
     
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  9. Retrorod
    Joined: Jan 25, 2006
    Posts: 2,034

    Retrorod
    Member

    Since copper isn't really a good fuel line we used a copper tube with a stainless steel fuel line shoved inside the copper on my wife's flathead. It looks cool, is strong as hell and is very old school.
     
  10. Mike VV
    Joined: Sep 28, 2010
    Posts: 3,029

    Mike VV
    Member
    from SoCal

    Yep, I thought most all knew this stuff by now.

    Copper will get brittle and eventually crack. Some form circles in the tube to act as dampers to let the tube move a little. Not sure I'd trust this either, but to each his/her own.

    The steel inside of the copper as noted above is a novel idea. Should work well, just a little larger diameter than normal.

    You can buy "modern" synthetic rubber "made for" today's fuel., again it is thicker and more expensive, but should stand up well.
    I'd still replace even that every couple of years.

    Mike
     
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  11. TimCT
    Joined: Jun 6, 2017
    Posts: 169

    TimCT
    Member

    There is a lot to be read about using straight copper for a fuel line, but the nickel/copper lines are a different animal, and its fine for fuel line. Though, it is rather soft, so I wouldn't run it into harms way (down the frame) unless it was tucked way up, or behind a gravel shield of some kind.
     
  12. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,286

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What are you working on that you are concerned with traditional fuel line with IFS? Just curious.
     
  13. ididntdoit1960
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,030

    ididntdoit1960
    Member
    from Western MA

    I'm guessing '49-up ford? Judging by his avatar looks like '53 or so
     
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  14. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,090

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Run hard lines to the fuel block bolted to the intake, hard line to the fuel pump. Rubber from the fuel pump to the firewall where it meets hardline and goes to the tank
     
  15. Safety first. Unless it is strictly a show car, forget traditional. Hate to see your build go up in flames with today's fuel.
    I'd use NiCopp for hard lines and Gates Barricade hose for the soft lines.
     
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  16. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,263

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    Funny you should mention this.
    I ran the red lines for the same reason.
    Until I had quite a few guys in their 80’s come up to me pleading to not use them. They expressed their experience on losing cars and watch others who lost their cars with the red lines.
    I understand now they have a new material for the red lines but haven’t heard any feedback on it.
    Don’t take these chances. Be safe. Not sorry.
     
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  17. Boden
    Joined: Oct 10, 2018
    Posts: 747

    Boden

    What do you mean lost their cars? Like caught on fire?


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  18. Boden
    Joined: Oct 10, 2018
    Posts: 747

    Boden

    Yessir. 53 ford custom line tudor[​IMG]


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  19. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,263

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    Yes caught on fire
     
  20. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,090

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Yeah that shits just a ticking time bomb. That and those clear fuel filters sitting on the intake.
     
  21. Absolutely,,,that stuff cannot be trusted.

    Tommy
     
  22. From my memory, traditional fuel line would be steel line with black rubber connector hoses where there was vibration.By the 60's we used the worm clamps on the rubber.

    You don't want to draw attention to the fuel line. Use chrome sparingly where you want eyes to see detail.

    Phil
     
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  23. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 9,291

    jnaki

    upload_2019-10-23_3-36-55.png Bones Balogh built SBC APRIL-Oct 1960
    Hello,

    As far as traditional goes, it will depend on how far back… “traditional” is listed. In the early days of Lions Dragstrip, the black rubber certified hoses were used, then some racers used the red versions. So, 1960…rubber hoses. Only a few used the metal fixed lines with some flexibility added. But, the street cars with multiple carbs used the black and some used the red ones. The shiny metal lines and clear ones were for show cars and not daily drivers or at least not in the Gas Coupe and Sedan Class cars with carbs.
    upload_2019-10-23_3-37-57.png 1960 Lions Dragstrip Pits
    We built our 292 SBC 671 motor with 6 Strombergs and the black lines were evident. The SBC looked very similar to Bones Balogh’s SBC and the rubber hoses stood out. How can one not notice 6 lines going to 6 carbs on top of the 671? But, if one does not have the funds for a two port Hilborn Injector, then you built something with what you could afford and make it function well.

    Besides, people noticed the 6 carbs on top, but the sound of the motor and the newest Isky Gilmer Drive Belt 671 set up was more fun to listen and see in motion. In the pits with the hood up, any time the motor started, it drew a crowd. This was for a street legal car in the Gas Coupe and Sedan Classes. It was not The Sidewinder or Dragmaster race cars.

    Jnaki

    Those were the fun days. Many years later, (64-69) if that is your traditional era, then there were all kinds of hose set ups as the technology improved at a rapid rate. So, the question always goes back to when does your version of “traditional” start and finish? One word does not mean every year since the beginning of drag racing or hot rods. There were many variations, it just depends on what year and set up.

    In our second 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery, our 327SBC, four barrel carburetor came with a clear gas line. It looked nice, but was immediately replaced with a red rubber, gas approved line to go with the red motor compartment and the outside paint scheme.
    upload_2019-10-23_3-39-27.png



     

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