benrep

I have a new tank coming due to rust issues. Then I thought about the steel line from the tank to the fuel pump. I have tubing benders and have made a lot of neat looking brake and fuel lines. I looked at zip, where I bought the tank and they have a stainless preformed line with the springs on it etc. The bend it in the middle to ship it which concerns me. My question is has anybody used one of these? They get a chunk of change for it along with freight and it would have to be pretty darn good to make me happy at that price. Feed back if any, please.

Nowhere Man

its fairly simple to bend it back out. just don't work on it to much or your snap it. some people have problems with S/S lines and getting them to seat and seal. your carbon steel line lasted 60 years. I don't think your be around again when it goes bad

Frankie the Fink

I had my 63 longish brake line that goes along the front frame crossmember sent to me bent for shipping. It wasn't stainless but it 'unbent' for installation easily...

427390HP

I agree with Nowhere Man as far as SS lines sealing. I put SS brakes lines on my '60 and had a heckuva time getting them to finally seal. I would also recommend a standard steel line.

GTOguy

I recently had an experience with a stainless steel fuel line. Didn't want to bend, and would not flare, due to its extreme hardness. Brittle, too. I have ZERO use for stainless brake or fuel lines.

Drothgeb

If you have the flaring and bending tools, I’d make your own lines out of nickel/copper tubing. Much better than steel or stainless. Some of the manufacturer names are Cunifer and NiCopp.

Grampy

I have stainless brake and fuel lines. The 1/4 in rear brake line was pre-bent and "folded" into the shipping box. It straightened out with no issues. The 3/8 fuel lines I bent myself for my EFI system.

I really hate rust so use stainless or aluminum whenever I can.

bj1k

I totally agree with everything that you said . Stainless lines are not needed on a classic car and they do tend to leak at the connections sometimes due to the stainless being so hard the flairs are hard to crush in shape to seat properly . Stainless lines are only needed on a work truck that sees a lot of weather.

firstgear

I bent and flared all of my brake and fuel lines out of stainless. I used 37 degree single flares. They were good enough for our painting robots we had in the 80’s running 3000psi hydraulic pressure, they were good enough for me. I bought my tubing from these guys https://www.inlinetube.com

SDVette

I unbent the line with no issues. I was nervous about it... but it was no problem.

benrep

I'll just use regular steel I think. I have no access where I live to bulk tubing so it will have to be two lengths of 3/8 with flared ends from the parts house. That will do for now, this car has bigger problems than an incorrect fuel line. I just thought preformed would be nice, if it was accurate.

Drothgeb

Amazon doesn’t ship to you?

bj1k

I think it is illegal to use single flares on brake lines , at least in my state . And for good reason . ( gas lines ok ) They also do not permit copper lines for brakes .

bj1k

You made a good choice . Save your money for something that you really need .

Drothgeb

I assume the copper comment is directed at my recommendation, and wanted to clarify that nickel/copper lines are not copper as a lot think. It’s an alloy that’s fully DOT approved for brake and fuel lines. Much easier to bend and flare than steel or stainless, and more resistant to work hardening and cracking than either. Seals better due to being a little softer. Corrosion resistance is similar to 316 stainless. A 3/16” line has a working pressure of 4500 psi, and a burst pressure of 17,000 psi. Some won’t try it due to not being “correct” for a Vette. But if you do try it, you probably won’t use anything else.

benrep

Old dog new trick...I just learned something after 40 years in the business, albeit on an Island. I will order this tubing I like it. There is no problem double flaring fuel line is there? I always have so I can really torque it up.

cardo0

Take a look at this:
Given that video I managed to leave some small unwanted bends in my SS fuel line. Make sure you have the room to work it correctly.

Nowhere Man

is all of the nickle/cooper lines the same alloy makeup and does it come with certs to back up the DOT claims?

bj1k

No , I was just talking about pure copper . The copper/Nickle is totally legal since it is stronger . Pure copper is too soft and it can split when flared . Even so when I had my restoration shop I've seen people use it on an older vehicle with a single master cylinder .

firstgear

Just for my reference, please post a link that specifically says it is illegal to use single 37 degree flare with stainless steel lines for brakes. I have never seen that referenced anywhere before....I have read that 37 degree flares for steel lines isnt any good because it is too soft.