When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Went out and warmed up the car to go for a ride.
Was idling in the driveway and noticed a slight fuel leak under the right passenger side, directly in front of the RR tire. Seems I have developed a leak. I'll look for it some more when I can let it idle a long time. I did get the car up in the air on the Quickjacks so I can eyeball it fairly easily.
I'm running EFI at about 40 PSIG and I suspect it is the 3/8" SS braided fuel line as it makes corner and drops and turns to head forward. I looked and it's been 23 years so I reckon that is an ok run.
I don't want to be lifting the body so probably don't want to use hardline even though I do have about 20-25 feet of 3/8" NiCopp line.
It's been a while since I played fuel lines so now for my questions:
1. Is there a better option than SS braided hosage?
2. Is there some preferred flexible hose that does NOT let gas smells out?
I got a kit from an outfit called EVIL ENERGY. Braided line with teflon liner and AN fittings to make your own length. You get to choose what you need/want. I run around 40-45 psi with my TPI engine and have had no issues. My fuel filter is near the r r wheel and I run this line all the way up alongside the frame then up to the fuel rail. Never any smell of gas and the car is in the garage all the time. Recommend highly.
This is what I used for the fuel lines in my 69 restoration. The stuff is expensive but very easy to work with and it came out great. Highly recommend. They also make a braided stainless hose #811. This is really high quality hose, and hose end installation was very easy.
Thanks all.
I'll probably go with this evil energy stuff since it comes with a bunch of fittings and whatnot.
Am I reading this correctly that these AN Fittings are different from the regular braided hose an fittings?
I reckon I can bend it enough the same as I bent the SS Braided stuff I have in there? Is that true? I have it in "my cart" but I'll wait for a while to see if I hear something.....
Most oval track race cars I've had my hands on have a hard line from rear tank to front motor. Me thinks that's probably specified in many sanctioning body's mandates. And usually that's routed through a hard steel tube welded into chassis.
I'm a firm believer in running hard lines for fuel; whenever-wherever practical.
Last edited by Rebelyell; May 9, 2026 at 07:26 PM.
Thanks, Makes sense about the hardline but I'm just daytime fair-weather cruiser.
I've had braided ss for 23 years with EFI and it hasn't been abused so wonder why it started leaking? No biggie after 23 years I reckon. Seems like it would work in the same place I had routed the braided ss. Just curious about the "bendability" .....
It was at this area that the "weep" developed...... I got it up in the air and idled for like 10 minutes and it didn't week again but I oughta replace it anyway. Looks to me like the evil energy can make these corners since there isn't anything terribly sharp? I'm going to order like 20 feet.
Looks like I oughta give my frame another coating of "haze-grey & underway"!
Originally Posted by Rebelyell
Most oval track race cars I've had my hands on have a hard line from rear tank to front motor. Me thinks that's probably specified in many sanctioning body's mandates. And usually that's routed through a hard steel tube welded into chassis.
I'm a firm believer in running hard lines for fuel; whenever-wherever practical.
Ordered 20 ft of -6AN with fittings. Hope it's bendable enough!
It will be as flexible as the old school braided. Top Tip: Wrap the cut line with several wraps of electrical tape and use a fine tooth metal bandsaw blade. Optionally use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade. Lube the fittings well when assembling.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Originally Posted by Rebelyell
Most oval track race cars I've had my hands on have a hard line from rear tank to front motor. Me thinks that's probably specified in many sanctioning body's mandates. And usually that's routed through a hard steel tube welded into chassis.
I'm a firm believer in running hard lines for fuel; whenever-wherever practical.
It will be as flexible as the old school braided. Top Tip: Wrap the cut line with several wraps of electrical tape and use a fine tooth metal bandsaw blade. Optionally use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade. Lube the fittings well when assembling.
I run the EFI rated fuel line. Different brand than what has been discussed here however. But basically the same. Black braided cover, but stainless under the black. Teflon or some 4 letter rating liner for EFI if I remember. Bends fairly well. Holds up to modern fuels and high pressures. I run it from tank to throttle body. No issues.
Thanks, Makes sense about the hardline but I'm just daytime fair-weather cruiser.
I've had braided ss for 23 years with EFI and it hasn't been abused so wonder why it started leaking? No biggie after 23 years I reckon. Seems like it would work in the same place I had routed the braided ss. Just curious about the "bendability" .....
It was at this area that the "weep" developed...... I got it up in the air and idled for like 10 minutes and it didn't week again but I oughta replace it anyway. Looks to me like the evil energy can make these corners since there isn't anything terribly sharp? I'm going to order like 20 feet. Looks like I oughta give my frame another coating of "haze-grey & underway"!
Fair winds and following seas, sir. --- that is unless and until some unforeseen calamity overtakes !
Earl's Vapor GuardBlackflexible hose is what they use on the Holley Installations. I have never had any gas smells inside this Corvette. This hose is Teflon lined to protect against the damaging effects of the Ethanol.
ANY rubber hose will eventually dry out and will need to be replaced. I plan on a 10 year life under the car before replacing the rubber hoses on the C3. Just because the hoses are underneath the Stainless Jacket doesn't prevent wear or drying out.
So just my .02.
From the pics it looks like the hose clamps you are using are hardware store screw type hose clamps. I stopped using them years ago. I use the EFI style hose clamps. You can get them in various sizes at NAPA. Maybe replace those hose clamps and see where you are at?
Hmmmm.... I hardly see the braided hose there and I'm not sure what clamps you speaketh of .....
but I'm replacing the whole line with 6AN PTFE anyway.
I got most of that braided ss hose removed today. Egad..... I had it quite well secured in there. I even cut it to remove it and it was still a pain. I got everything off except 1 chunk that is clamped to the top of the right rear frame...... I felt up there but I cannot tell how the heck I attached that clamp..
I suspect that 23 year old SS braided hose may not be the best for newer fuels?
Originally Posted by 71 Vert LS1
So just my .02.
From the pics it looks like the hose clamps you are using are hardware store screw type hose clamps. I stopped using them years ago. I use the EFI style hose clamps. You can get them in various sizes at NAPA. Maybe replace those hose clamps and see where you are at?
the issue I discovered was the braided hose with plain fuel line rubber hose is what falls apart. I had pretty, braided stainless in my car and after a few years I started smelling gas. A lot of it. I finally figured out where it was coming from and yet here was no leak. The fumes were starting to permeate thru the rubber and the stainless was not airtight. I am sure eventually there would have been a leak. But the teflon, either in a black braid or the stainless braid will solve that problem. I used the Evil Empire kit just to make sure that the fittings and their hoses were compatible in diameter.
I've have Earl's -6 SS rubber lined hose on my 98 Wrangler with a LS6/4L60E combo. I have 17 years on the swap. Only non ox 91 gas. Zero problems. But having said that I may replace it with PTFE this summer.
I do find the PTFE hose ends easier to assemble compared to rubber lined -6 hose.
Fuel Line Leak developed....3/8" braided SS
