UCVette

Ok, I just purchased a new Spectre Fuel Filter and Rubber Fuel Hose, more for looks than anything else. I was looking at posts on the forums and see a ton of people say don't run a rubber hose from the fuel pump to the carb. This could be the dumb question of the day but did the OE have a steel fuel line? I have had other vehicles that have used rubber hoses in the past with no problem.

Comments please? I can hear it now, "Do you want your car to catch on fire?" The answer is NO but would like to know the opposition to rubber hoses if they are used in many other fuel applications.

ddawson

Yes they have a steel line.

Scottd

Those glass filters are a nightmare, they often leak brand new, and the last one I bought had cheap plastic barb fittings. I strongly urge you away from that product.

As far as the rubber hose.....Ive never used anything OTHER than rubber hose, and Ive never had a problem. Some may say that a rubber line can collapse under heavy suction, but your carb wont be pulling that much. And for the fire hazard.....keep it off your exhaust manifold and your fine.

Silvertone

I never had a problem with the glass filter, but moved up to a big Holley aluminum unit when I moved closer to the 500hp range. I've never had a problem with the heavy rubber hose you see in the photo. Both the hose and the clamps are made for fuel injection. Careful installation and watchful eyes...30 years problem free! Only fuel leak I ever had was when a stock pump diaphragm let go.

Silvertone

By the way, I did have trouble with new cheap Chinese hose clamps from NAPA stripping threads. Double clamp if its all you can get. Fortunately, I have a collection of American made from the '70s and '80s.

C3 Stroker

Drag strips will not allow rubber fuel hoses for safety reasons (yes, fire hazard is the biggie, and even a common pinhole leak would be a disaster). So, if you decide to take a trip to the strip, you will not pass tech.

mikem350

They allow a short piece lie 4 or 5 in, that's it.

How about steel braided rubber hose?

Silvertone

I've heard that many don't allow stock C3 rear-ends either. That's a little harder to remedy than the fuel line. Not that I'm going to the drags with mine anyway.

C3 Stroker

Our local strip does allow a short 5" piece. Steel braided hose is also allowed. Check your local rules.

rcread

As far as looks goes, the braided hose look is pretty played out on street cars. If your engine is fairly stock, the stock pump to carb line with an in-carb filter is the best set up. You won't have to worry about ethanol deteriorating the line from within. If you need to run a custom line, it is very easy to bend your own with the proper tools. It only took me about an hour to cut and bend up a line on my '71. If you must run braided hose, get teflon-lined hose that will resist the chemicals in today's fuel. That fuel filter is a definite hazard.

hugie82

Nowadays you have to use steel and braided lines with fittings. It's almost impossible to buy a good screw clap and the steel line can be replaced with stainless steel that's very easy to work with. Summit racing has affordable braided line and fittings. Just be prepared to order more fittings. No matter how hard you try, the first few times it seems a fitting is missed or they didn't fit the way you thought.

Karsten

I went with the factory Steel Line when I was having the new motor installed. You can see the OEM line is bent for I believe a Q-Jet and had to be re worked to fit the Quick Fuel.



Some cutting and re bending and they got it to work



I didn't want a rubber hose running that close to the headers.

Karsten