Hardline vs. Teflon Braided

[nitetrain4590]

Searched for the topic, but no luck on the specific question. Is there anything wrong with running full length teflon -6 AN fuel line for supply and return the entire length of the car? I know anytime you're running from hardline to fuel tank you should use teflon (or related flexible hose) and anytime you move the line through the frame. Seems like it would be easier to me to run it front to rear and cut down on the opportunities to spring a leak....and teflon line has a pretty high operating pressure. Does anyone know of any adverse conditions when running teflon line would not be advisable? Does the Aeroquip stuff collapse when bent past 90*? For my engine/efi kit, I need 3/8" (-6AN) for both supply and return. Thanks for the help.

[oestek]

I'm not a big fan of that much hose. It also gets pricey very fast! If it were me, I'd run good old fashioned 3/8" steel or stainless tube with swageloc or sleeve nuts on the ends, and go a short piece of hose at the ends or where it may flex. You can double flare sections to make it easier to install and remove, and it's going to be WAY cheaper, if you're up for bending & flaring.

[nitetrain4590]

Thanks for the tip, Kevin. By the way, love your show. The work you guys did on the 69 Chevelle SS 496 helped with building my 69 Malibu. Gonna try my hand at hand bending the 3/8" steel and flaring 37* for the AN fittings.

[oestek]

Thanks! It's not real hard to do, but 3/8" line can kink if you don't have a decent tubing bender. Take it slow. Also, you don't have to do a 37 degree flare if you don't have the tool.. you can do a standard 45 degree double flare and use a flare to AN adapter for the hose connecitons. The Swageloc deal is a compression fitting that goes on straight tube and has an AN fitting on the other side.. they're really nice, too.



Installed on hard 3/8" fuel line -

[old66tiger]

Bending hard line is the best, but it gets really tricky back by the rear axle and getting it snaked through the frame and such is quite a chore. Also, you will need to fabricate in several pieces to join the front and rear together properly. Also, the best hardline to get comes in straight lengths and not rolls. The longest length of straight tubing that I know of is 6'. As a result, unless you are building a car as a frame off deal, I would recommend using the TFE line from front to back. I picked up -8 TFE for $3.44 and -6 for like $2.58/ft at aeroquip.cc on line. It is the TW-S line and is the industrial cousin to the racing hose. This hose is IDENTICAL to the racing in every fashion. I called Aeroquip and talked with tech and found out that the TFE hose fittings for racing and industrial are also IDENTICAL and interchangable. I priced Type-O aluminum against the TFE and found that running TFE runs about $75 more by the time you offset the cost of the fittings and hose against the cost of a HIGH quality aluminum tubing and necessary tubing. You will need flexible hose at the tank and the motor anyway so there will always be the need for hose and fittings anyway.

Under no circumstances should you use the run of the mill rubber braided hose for fuel line. This stuff has a history of failing and fuel leaks are not something to mess with.

I am not a big fan of the compression fittings. If the tubing is not perfect, you can have issues with the compression fittings. Swagelock fittings and tubing is much more expensive than the Aeroquip TFE hose and fittings.

[MonzaRacer]

I am thinking of getting Dorman plastic line kit and going plastic like new cars!

[oestek]

I've had the Dorman plastic line on our EFI '62 Galaxie for nearly 10 years and it's been trouble free.

[t/a-speedfreak]

My 3/8" SS tubing came in a 20' length. I had it cut in half for two 10' pieces. It can be found.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Bending hard line is the best, but it gets really tricky back by the rear axle and getting it snaked through the frame and such is quite a chore. Also, you will need to fabricate in several pieces to join the front and rear together properly. Also, the best hardline to get comes in straight lengths and not rolls. The longest length of straight tubing that I know of is 6'. As a result, unless you are building a car as a frame off deal, I would recommend using the TFE line from front to back. I picked up -8 TFE for $3.44 and -6 for like $2.58/ft at aeroquip.cc on line. It is the TW-S line and is the industrial cousin to the racing hose. This hose is IDENTICAL to the racing in every fashion. I called Aeroquip and talked with tech and found out that the TFE hose fittings for racing and industrial are also IDENTICAL and interchangable. I priced Type-O aluminum against the TFE and found that running TFE runs about $75 more by the time you offset the cost of the fittings and hose against the cost of a HIGH quality aluminum tubing and necessary tubing. You will need flexible hose at the tank and the motor anyway so there will always be the need for hose and fittings anyway.

Under no circumstances should you use the run of the mill rubber braided hose for fuel line. This stuff has a history of failing and fuel leaks are not something to mess with.

I am not a big fan of the compression fittings. If the tubing is not perfect, you can have issues with the compression fittings. Swagelock fittings and tubing is much more expensive than the Aeroquip TFE hose and fittings.

WOW .. Thanks for this info on the industrial stuff from aeroquip.cc. I have been looking to get my hose from them but looked only at the race/performace side. I was planning on getting hose for my fuel. remote oil filter, and trans cooler from the race/perf side. I'll definately take a closer look at the industrial side. I like the PTFE stuff since it cuts way down on fume seapage.

[Fuelie Nova]

What diameter tubing is used with the dorman kit? This would be a fun project for my Nova.
Tom

[parsonsj]

The fuel line doesn't have to be SS. Aluminum is actually a better choice: it's plenty strong, it's lighter, it radiates heat better, it's easier to bend, and it seals better.

And yes, you can get it in 22' straight lengths.

jp

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

The fuel line doesn't have to be SS. Aluminum is actually a better choice: it's plenty strong, it's lighter, it radiates heat better, it's easier to bend, and it seals better.

And yes, you can get it in 22' straight lengths.

jp

From ??? And what's the best type/spec to use for fuel lines ?? I am not opposed to running hard lines along the frame for my system.

[parsonsj]

I get mine from either Dillsburg Aeroplane Works (22'), or McMaster-Carr (6'). .035 wall thickness 6061 is what I use.

The Dillsburg Aeroplane Works
Aircraft-Race Car-Machine Shop-Raw Materials
Charles T. Vogelsong
114 Sawmill Road, Dillsburg, Pa 17019
(717) 432-4589

jp

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Thanks for the info...

[1badchevelle]

I am doing the aluminum hard line with the swagelok ends. I got my tube from Mcmaster 6' hardline and the fitting dirrect from swagelok. I have most of my parts to do the fuel line and will be working on it this weekend.

[TnBlkC230WZ]

I am thinking of getting Dorman plastic line kit and going plastic like new cars!

I've looked at the Dorman Plastic line, but can only find short sections of it. Is t available by the roll?

[Jimmy Sean]

I've looked at the Dorman Plastic line, but can only find short sections of it. Is t available by the roll?

It is available in a 25' roll.

800-074 5/15"
800-072 3/8"

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-800072-...gy_auto_text_b

[JRouche]

Searched for the topic, but no luck on the specific question. Is there anything wrong with running full length teflon -6 AN fuel line for supply and return the entire length of the car?

Nope, no problem at all. Teflon core stainless hose is great. I happen to have about 1500ft of the stuff in various diameters and use it whenever I can. Some of it is convoluted teflon core (which bends easier) but most of it is smooth bore and it will still make a nice turn to form some fuel lines. Good fittings are a must. But yeah, teflon core stainless hose can be used for the entire length of the car. JR

[milehigh69]

I use the teflon core hose. Easy to use, does not smell or leak and looks nice. It also flows more gas, larger ID.

[steinepstein]

Old66tiger,

Thanks very much for the tip on the industrial teflon hose.

I ordered 20' of -8 and 20' of -6 and it was super cheap, basically the same price as 20' of -8 from Summit.

I will get the lines fitted and run them over to Rad Rides to crimp the ends. This should provide a bullet proof fuel system that can take on E85, gas, and any other fuel.

Thanks again,

Jon