C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

New fuel lines

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 31, 2010 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
Johan74's Avatar
Johan74
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 18
From: Sweden
Default New fuel lines

Should I go for steel, copper or aluminum?

What minimum inner diameter should I use for the supply and return lines?
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2010 | 08:14 PM
  #2  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

Steel. 3/8", if you have a hi-performance engine; 5/16" if you don't. Aluminum and copper age and get weak/brittle.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2010 | 08:34 PM
  #3  
7t2vette's Avatar
7t2vette
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Default

Stainless steel, and never worry about them again. Several Corvette parts suppliers sell them pre-bent to fit specific model years, so it's easy.

Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 03:54 PM
  #4  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,198
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi J74,
Although I agree that ss lines will last longer, the steel lines are easier to bend and straighten if you're going to replace the lines with the body in place.
Just a thought!
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 04:07 PM
  #5  
HamadUP's Avatar
HamadUP
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi J74,
Although I agree that ss lines will last longer, the steel lines are easier to bend and straighten if you're going to replace the lines with the body in place.
Just a thought!
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 04:14 PM
  #6  
68/70Vette's Avatar
68/70Vette
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,352
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Default

I ordered SS fuel lines. 3/8 inch. I also ordered hem with AN fittings. This way I don't have to use rubber hose and band clamps to get fuel into and out of the lines.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 05:48 PM
  #7  
Johan74's Avatar
Johan74
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 18
From: Sweden
Default

What about the return line, do I need it at all?

3/8 lines for the supply are sold most anywhere, but 1/4 lines seems to be harder to find (for the return). Guess I can use 3/8 for both.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 06:09 PM
  #8  
Bob Heine's Avatar
Bob Heine
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Johan74
What about the return line, do I need it at all?

3/8 lines for the supply are sold most anywhere, but 1/4 lines seems to be harder to find (for the return). Guess I can use 3/8 for both.
You can get a pre-bent 1/4-inch fuel return line from Inline Tube. For your '74 its a CXF7402 in original steel (SCXF7402 for stainless).

http://www.inlinetube.com/

You need the return line if you are using the stock fuel pump. It is meant to reduce percolation of the fuel, which is the usual cause of vapor lock.

Last edited by Bob Heine; Nov 1, 2010 at 06:11 PM. Reason: Afterthought
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 07:33 PM
  #9  
mar's Avatar
mar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Default

SS is hard to work with and if it does not seat against the pump you are scrod. It's hard to put subtle bends in it too. Aluminum will probably seat ok. As will steel. Get a tubing bender in case you gotta' work it a little. Aluminum or steel will outlast you and your car.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To New fuel lines





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:17 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE