newbie question copper
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 34
From: columbus ohio
newbie question copper
why isn't copper used in fuel lines and other lines. is it because
it is too soft. it will hold over 40lbs of water pressure. or is it because
fuel or brake fluid will eat thru it. just wandering thanks jim
it is too soft. it will hold over 40lbs of water pressure. or is it because
fuel or brake fluid will eat thru it. just wandering thanks jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 2
From: Park City to SoCal - according to the map it's all down hill. No bad days in Indian Wells, California
and the connections for copper are traditionally sweated joints, not pressure fit with expansion ring. So possibly the solder, the flame, etc is the reason.
but then again what do I know, I'm having a bad day............. so maybe I'll just start cocktail hour early
but then again what do I know, I'm having a bad day............. so maybe I'll just start cocktail hour early
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Miami FL
My ‘66 came with a custom copper fuel line…. Flare fitting, several interesting bends and orange paint highlights. A real bad idea. 
Replacing it with a hard line was one of my first projects. … got all the info I needed right here.
Replacing it with a hard line was one of my first projects. … got all the info I needed right here.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Copper has a bad tendency to work harden. Vibration will eventually harden the area that is vibrating until it is so hard that it will crack. When coppersmiths work copper, they are constantly having to anneal it as they work it. A very poor choice of material for lines that vibrate (like on a car).
Regards, John McGraw
Regards, John McGraw
