COPPER AND FUEL

[mickusmickus]

Gday all,

Being that the installation of my new motor is coming close I am starting to plan some of the bits and pieces that make her go BOOM!

Anyway the basis of my question revolves around the suitability of using copper for fuel lines.  Plan is to make them a bit of a feature running up over the motor to form the rail for the twin carbs.

I have a funny feeling it has been used in the past for this purpose?  Can anyone shed some light?

MT

[Rabbitoh]

seem to re-call copper is very prone to cracking (fatigue) if subjected to sustained vibration

[mickusmickus]

Yes that is correct, it does work harden which leaves it suseptable to cracking etc........however in thick enough guages you can overcome it for this type of use.  I am more concearned about any detrimental effects it could have on the engine.........

[EffCee]

Mickusmickus,

Aside from the work hardenening fatigue that was mentioned by Rabbitoh there will be no detrimental effect on the engine by using copper line.

Personally I will be using stainless steel because A, it doesn't work harden like copper, and B it looks prettier.

Just to further add, copper pipe used to be acceptable as a brake line many years ago, however because cars last longer and do more miles than they used to it is no longer permissable to use copper pipe because of the fatigue issue.

Be careful that the copper fuel line doesn't become brittle and leak fuel. They will normally crack where the pipe is flared at the joints.

Regards

Keith

[FC427]

I just bent a a 1/2" stainless steel line for my Hot Rod and my FC also has the same about $70 for 6 metres and it's annealed so it bends up nice and easy and polishes to mirror finish .8 mm or 1mm wall thickness also available in 8mm and 10mm if you don't need 1/2'' I usually get it from PROCHEM in Guildford but  Stainless Bitz in Caloundra QLD has it, my catalogue is a bit old but 5/16'' and 3/8''  $10.60 metre .. Also great for heater hoses with a rubber connector or you can silver solder s/s ends on and use AN fittings and braided s/s hose ..........FC427......

[mickusmickus]

Thanks for the input guys!

Yes Stainless looks better on SOME engines hahaha I am trying for more of a RAT style speedshop motor rather than something shiney!  Looking to do something a bit different, break the mould so to speak.

Whole thing will be grey with black bolt on components, wanted to have a trick copper fuel line coming up over the motor but I am starting to have my doubts!

Other idea was to wrap the lines similar to exhaust wrap....something to give it a bit of that old style character, a little rough around the edges but still with that obviouos attention to detail !

My pet project is trying to shirnk the oil bath air cleaners..........would love to have two smaller oil bath air cleaners side by side on the twin carb set-up........somehow my magic shrinking wand dosent seem to be coming to the party??

[Jonno]

how about using normal steel lines then copper plating them?:

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/flashcopper.html

[smithy]

hi mick, i was faced with a similar problem with fuel lines for my EFI set-up. i was given a couple of rolls of plastic coated lines used for LPG, these had an extra bonus of shielded power cables alongside the fuel line (fuel pump and sender power).
i spoke to tech standards ( act's rego boys) regarding suitability of the copper and was advised that
1/ as long as the lines meet or exceed ads standards and are firmly secured to body/chasis there are no problems
2/ efi requires less pressure than lpg. so the lines are up to pressures.

i quizzed them at great length regarding registering a car with copper and each time they replied with as long as the lines are the ones used for LPG and are marked with the ADS approval i wont have a problem.
i will still be using shorter lengths of rubber efi hoses to attach to components- fuel pump, rails and return lines. but each laine along the body is plastic coated copper.

just something to look into mate.


cheers
dean

[FC427]

Just a thought you could always sand blast the stainless to give it a grey finish .........FC427........

[Paul In Ireland]

Check out the brass on this little beauty:

http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/?id=A8DFO6FWV8C9ECYZ

 

[Ol_Girl_58]

Hi guys,

This is a slight aside, but is it okay to use rubber lines from the fuel pump to the carb? Are there any detrimental effects here?

Mickus - apologies if I'm hijacking your thread.

Cheers,

Ol_Girl_58

[EffCee]

Rubber fuel hose. Over time they will deteriorate which will see them start to crack when bent. They need to be replaced at this time. If they are not or they burst the consequences are catastrophic. As it is on the pressure side of the fuel pump,  fuel will spray all over your motor while you are driving, likely causing a fire.

I would rather use steel lines.

Keith

[mickusmickus]

Paul, thanks for that post mate..............some of those ideas in that engine bay have got the brain ticking once again!!!!!