My 29 model A has braided fuel lines running from the tank to the fuel pump. The line out of nowhere just started leaking... no damage. I did some research and discovered this is not uncommon due to new ****py fuels. What should I change to?
Depends on how old they are.... Been around forever, but still a consumable item...... Regular maintenance is a virtue....
I'd suggest replacing all the flexible line with hard line (Clamped every 1') with flexible lines at tank and engine. More durable and serviceable.
You can get PTFE lined hose, it's rather impervious to fuel. But I have used normal braided line for fuel for a long time and not had any issues with it...might have something to do with how often the car gets driven. If you leave it sitting for long stretches of time, things get wonky.
What Squirrel said. I have PTFE (teflon) line from my dirttrack days, mid 70s, that are still good. And they handled fuels that would melt most line, methanol and a pinch of nitro. Hey had to make a 350 run as hard as a big block... Yes its spendy, but once and done. Its the same stuff used for brake lines, only larger diameter.
I've got to agree with A****er Mike, mgstumpy and Anthony Myrick in that the best idea is to run hard line from the tank or as close to the tank as is practical down the frame rail to close to where the fuel pump is or where you cross over to the hard line coming down from the carb and run a short piece of hose at the front and at the bank if it isn't practical to hardline all the way to the tank. That's the way it should have been done in the first place.
Are you using the stock Model A tank? If so, first install a quarter turn br*** ball valve at the outlet of the tank. Then continue with solid line. Then use a few inches of this for the connection to the engine. https://www.gates.com/us/en/fluid-p...e-hose.p.4219-000000-000003.v.4219-06038.html Should give years of trouble free service.
Yep… happens all the time in circle track racing. If it’s minor and you can’t see it, it will turn in to vacuum leak which really screws with your brain..
That is the only issue I have had with braided steel lines, while the outside looks very cool you have no way of knowing what the rubber line looks like under the surface. I agree with Anthony's hard line input but it isn't always feasible to run hard lines from the tank to the frame and the firewall to the engine. On my cars I run hard lines but areas where flex line is necessary I use this stuff in short runs. It is braided nylon outside (cool looking) and Fluoroelastomer hose which is impervious to alcohol, gas and the **** that come out of the pumps at the stations.
Clamped every foot ? Most stock hard-line applications from the factory are waaaay further apart than that , like 30" to 36"....
Yes and having years of research experience with modern fuels, I refuse to call the stuff coming out of the pumps today gasoline! It's even hard to call it fuel. I suppose we shouldn't complain, it's probably better than the stuff from the 20s and 30s. But it does eat stuff up.
It resembles gasoline as it keeps my OT truck running but that is about the extent of the similarities. As a boy I worked at several gas stations as a "Petroleum Transfer Engineer" and as such I fell in love with the aroma of the golden elixir. This **** today doesn't even smell like gas. I am not a conspiracy theorist but I think they are trying to kill our fuel, thus killing our older, carbureted cars and force us into EV's. That and the moon landing was completely staged in a sound lot in Hollywood and JFK and Marilyn are still alive on an island somewhere in the Bahamas. Elvis is dead though.
Like was said get the teflon lined braided, reuse your current fittings and be done. Some people think the best way to make fire is still rubbing two sticks together and will tell you "that's the way it should be done".
No kidding. I could not figure out why this thing was running so horrible. As soon as I switched to the spare line that was meant to be a return, but never hooked up, she started running normal agian.
Can't use the existing fittings. When you change to teflon lined, you need the fitting made for it... and usually the same brand as the line.
Been running braided teflon hose for the fuel system in my car for 20+ years. I bought it from McMaster-Carr with AN-6 br*** fittings. I also have some AN-8 hose that I installed for a remote oil filter that has also stood the test of time.
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