I got involved in a discussion on this in another post and kind of hijacked it so I thought I should post it here. Look at this link and scroll down. This is what could happen using rubber fuel lines and clamps on your modified vette. I know flareing hard lines and finding AN fittings and braided fuel lines are a hassle but they are worth the time and effort. We all have a lot of work, time and money in our cars and thought I would give you some food for thought. Here is the link. Copy it and paste into your browser http://www.pontiactripower.com/chevy/forsale.shtml

 

The only rubber I have in my line is that "S" piece from the fuel line to the pump.

 

Here here!! (and there are probably many folks that dont realize that fiberglass resin has everthing it needs to keep a fire going STRONG)

In-fact the P/O of mine had a temp carb on it (then decided he wanted 100% original so put the Quad back on).... but I have a small rubber line up to the carb. Gonna replace with a total steel line. (exactly the same reason on marine applications they use solid lines).

 

I been meaning to get rid of mine... two clamps on it, but still dont like the idea.

yikes

 

That'l teach 'im to check his lines every couple of years!

I've had rubber lines on my C2 since I bought it around 1975... and rubber on my C3 since I bought it around 1986. Never had a leak, never had a fire.

Laziness can sure cause a guy problems.

Don't forget about the rubber lines back at the tank... those are the ones that cause most of the fires because people don't think about 'em.

 

cOME ON GUYS, UR FREAKIN OUT. Just how many vettes have gone up in "flames" since 53, I can't remember hearing about 1, What about the vacuum lines catching fire if they melt. yea the fuel lines can burst for some unknown reason. but it's prob more likely owner stupidity.

 

They don't leak because of a witches spell. They leak because they get rotten (owner neglect) or because they aren't installed properly (owner/mechanic mistake). No rocket science here.

It's nice and safer to have steel, but rubber works fine if maintained properly.

How many people have made up steel lines for their tank connections?

Carbureted fuel pressure is between 4-7 PSI... not a earth shattering phenomena.

 

 

OK, what a coincidence that this is posted today.
On Saturday I drove my car to work to get in a couple of extra ours. This is my 1975 that I bought in Feb. this year.

When I was leaving I noticed a large puddle of liquid near the right front tire. I moved the car to check it out, and that is when I noticed that the hose coming from the stainless steel line to the fuel pump had cracked and was leaking fuel. Not just a couple of drips, but the line had 3 holes in it where the fuel was spraying out. Well I went under the car to wiggle the hoses, and that is when it cracked. Now I had gas pouring out of the line, I am in my work clothes at the office on a Saturday, no body else but the security guard is around, and I have a larger than normal fuel spill under the vette.

I ran into the office, and found some large screws in the maintenance shop to jam into the 5/8 fuel line. I had to cut the line in half, to do this, but managed to stop the flow.

I pushed the car back into the stall, borrowed the work truck and went to the parts store to buy braided steel hose to complete the job. Did a temp fix on Saturday until I could get the car home and do a better job on Sunday.

I noticed there are two lines going to the fuel pump. One I fixed with the stainless steel hose. What is the other line for? This looks like 2 inlet lines, and 1 outlet line- Stainless Steel- going to the carb.

kdf

 

1 is the line from tank, 2 is the line to carb 3 is the fuel retyrn line to tank

 

Here's another example:http://www.wsvfd.org/Fire%20Photo%20Gallery/Camaro/

All steel lines here. The important one is from the pump to the carb. That's where the fuel is under pressure and also where it is closest to the exhaust manifolds or headers. But, hey, its your car you can do what you want with it.

 

I don't take chances with rubber.

BTW that Z-28 owner did not have insurance. Sometimes you have to wonder about people....

 

DAMN!!! That's awful!!!

I just did my pump to carb lines in braided steel but couldn't figure out how to adapt the lines from the tank to the pump in braided steel. The pump has a bulge at the end of the fitting which prevents the braided steel from going over it. I really never liked the way they ran that "S" line down thru the hole in the frame, looks like a perfect wear point!

Anyone found something in this area that works good?

Bill

 

Why is the steel braided line so much better?
Isn’t it just a rubber line inside the steel?
Will the rubber on the inside still deteriorate?
Is the steel braided better because of the end connections?

 

Stainless steel braided hose does deteriorate from the inside out over a period of time, so they do need to be replaced every few years.

 

Great thing about using a q-jet, the steel hose from the pump to the carb is readily available from midamerica.

 

I agree about them. In fact when I worked at The Dyno shop, they would not run cars on the dyno with aftermarket rubber hoses on pressure lines.

Point to consider though: Ford used rubber nipples on carbs all thru the 60's and 70's. It was a short nipple from the fuel filter if I remember correctly, to the carb - and right next to the distributor!

 

Eric, I think you have asked some good "leading" questions that should be considered. Just because they are steel braided, does not mean they are better than some rubber applications. Devil is in the detail. Steel braid protects against sharp objects...not necessarily wear or deterioration. The type and quality of rubber hose used inside the braid should be an important consideration. Applications in areas of high heat can also be an important factor. I believe that in some applications certain rubber hose can be a safe alternative. See attached url site.
Earl's Super Stock Hose

Bullshark

 

Good point(s) - and that's no BULL!

 

This really is a mountain out of a molehill IF the owners just replace the rubber line once in a while.


I also have to wonder why folks dont carry a fire extinguisher in their cars.......ANY car can catch fire for a variety of reasons.