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Plastic vacuum lines!!

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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 11:53 AM
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Default Plastic vacuum lines!!

Does anyone sale a kit to get rid of all these damn brittle crappy plastic vacuum lines on the engine.

Other options?

Pictures?
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:14 PM
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Just buy several feet of vacuum line, cut to length, and use that...
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 81c3
Just buy several feet of vacuum line, cut to length, and use that...
Most all parts stores sell either bulk (cut to length) or carded vacuum hose in a variety of inside diameters. You can also get plastic couplers, tees, and 90 degree fittings in various diameters. Get about 50% extra in the length of the rubber lines to make sure you will have enough.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:27 PM
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Guess you could get some small diameter tubing, and bend your own, with rubber couplers on the ends. Not sure why you would want too though...just an idea.

D.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 03:32 PM
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Replacement plastic tube has not been available for years. You can buy plastic tube from some places, but it is a PITA to bend (have to heat). As noted above, it is easier to buy vacuum tubing and use that.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by John A. Marker
Replacement plastic tube has not been available for years. You can buy plastic tube from some places, but it is a PITA to bend (have to heat). As noted above, it is easier to buy vacuum tubing and use that.
I tried that on another car with those plastic lines and finally just tossed that new plastic stuff in the trash with the old and went with small dia rubber hose and little plastic end connectors. The plastic tubing was impossible to keep from coiling up. It was like trying to work with prison fence barbed wire!
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Old Jun 9, 2017 | 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Klondike
. It was like trying to work with prison fence barbed wire!

Oh, REALLY?? We'll have to take your word for it!!
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Old Jun 9, 2017 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Oh, REALLY?? We'll have to take your word for it!!
I've used small diameter steel brake line tubing, bent it with my tubing bender. That will never break.

Don
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Old Jun 9, 2017 | 09:04 PM
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a dozen years ago when I first bought the 95 I ended up having to replace several of the plastic vacuum tubes and in the process I decided that I liked the way the engine looks with the fuel rail covers off. I've left them off ever since.

It's been more than 100K and they are in great shape and I wonder if perhaps ... having the covers off allows those plastic pieces to stay just marginally cooler or perhaps cool off sooner not being under the additional layer of the covers?

As I say you have to like this look and for me it works.
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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 06:52 AM
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I haven't had time to replace them yet but am definitely going back with rubber.

Kinda off topic but does my 90 supposed to have fuel rail covers?? I am missing the distributor cover that a PO removed and never put back. All of my injectors and fuel rail are exposed.

Thanks
Wade
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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by daustin
I've used small diameter steel brake line tubing, bent it with my tubing bender. That will never break.

Don
now there's food for thought -

googled "small diameter aluminum tubing" - definitely worth a look!
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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 07:03 AM
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I have been thinking about using some small diameter tubing, like brake lines.
i have also seen brass and aluminum at hobby stores.

Anyone ever use silicone tubing?
I saw some being sold on amazon, i have been thinking about giving it a try...

I need to make a new run from my fuel pressure regulator, back to my brake booster line...
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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 07:48 AM
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I've seen guys use shrink wrap to fix plastic tubing, I'm sure you could use it for other types of lines too.
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Old Jun 13, 2017 | 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by daustin
I've used small diameter steel brake line tubing, bent it with my tubing bender. That will never break.

Don
this has sparked my interest - seems the OE plastic is 5/32" diameter. 5/32 aluminum tubing is available at some hardware stores and hobby shops, and I found this while on-line surfing -



a tubing bender specifically for 5/32" aluminum or brass tubing. you could use the existing couplers, and if you wanted a more correct look, a coat of black etching primer.
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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 03:44 PM
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Default 1989 C4 brittle vacuum lines

Thanks for this thread. 89 C4 L98 running wonky, hunts RPM at idle, some hard starts. Advised to clean throttle body... OK but then every plastic line I touch breaks. I like the idea of alum bent to fit, joined with rubber hose. Found some
K&S 36 K&S 36" lengths of 5/32/x0.014" tube
on amazon along with
this tubing bender this tubing bender
. Worth a try. My lines that broke are mounted to a bolt right under the throttle body, I think to do with fuel pressure regulator? Have not been able to find them in the FSM so far.

Old coupler where line sheared off and adjacent line with PO repair. These head up to a cannister in the front

Mount for two lines? I think, under the throttle body. These things are super brittle. At least one of these seems to head off to a canister in the LF nose area.
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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody
a dozen years ago when I first bought the 95 I ended up having to replace several of the plastic vacuum tubes and in the process I decided that I liked the way the engine looks with the fuel rail covers off. I've left them off ever since.

It's been more than 100K and they are in great shape and I wonder if perhaps ... having the covers off allows those plastic pieces to stay just marginally cooler or perhaps cool off sooner not being under the additional layer of the covers?

As I say you have to like this look and for me it works.
Mr Peabody, would you consider selling your old fuel rail covers??? I could be interested depending on your total price with shipping to California...
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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by clovergamecock
Kinda off topic but does my 90 supposed to have fuel rail covers??
No, not on an L98. Fuel Rail covers were used on the LT1.
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by RetroGuy
Mr Peabody, would you consider selling your old fuel rail covers??? I could be interested depending on your total price with shipping to California...
No thanks; I have them stored along with the car's original trans, exhaust manifolds, cats, etc. I have the room so don't really need to dump them. I thought that you were selling your C4 to get a C5?
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody
No thanks; I have them stored along with the car's original trans, exhaust manifolds, cats, etc. I have the room so don't really need to dump them. I thought that you were selling your C4 to get a C5?
Thanks, I'll be selling mine in a couple more years, waiting till it hits 25yrs old.
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