Anyone have a good source for HEAVY WALL 1/4" copper tube? I want to run copper fuel line to the 2 Stromberg 81's on my B motor but the only stuff I can find is REALLY thin wall, like for refrigerator water line. I've heard they used to use heavy wall 1/4" copper line in refrigeration years ago, but do they still make it? If I go to a plumbing shop what do I ask for (in plumber talk)? Thanks.
Not type L that is hard tubing. You will want to ask for refer tubing. And yes your local plumbing house should have it. You sometimes have to buy the whole 25' roll though.
Type K copper has the heaviest wall. L is in the middle, and M has the thinnest wall. K, L, & M only specify the wall thickness. All are available in both hard and soft tubing. Refrigeration tubing is type ACR and its wall is between L and M. There's no real advantage to using K over L, and the L will be much easier to find in small diameter stuff. Vibration causes copper tube to work harden and eventually crack, and using a heavier wall doesn't do anything to keep that from happening. All that said, copper fuel lines aren't a real good idea and doubly so in the vicinity of the engine of a car that's driven regularly.
Thanks for the info metlmunchr. I've seen quite a few old hot rods that ran copper fuel line, and I like the way copper looks as it weathers, but if that's not the way to go what would you suggest? I currently have steel line (the stuff you buy in sections at the local auto parts store) and have had it snap right next to the ferrule where it connects to the back carb. I was told by some folks that copper will have more "flex" and if I get the heavier wall line it should work fine. I don't want to keep breaking the fuel line so what do I need to do. This is a 1953 or older model A so I want it to look "period". Thanks.
This is what I used on my dual quad. It's not cheap though. The 3/8 roll was around $100 http://www.brakequip.com/products/tube/ezi-bend-tube
adavis, I have seen copper used for decades on fuel lines, but usually between the fuel pump/block is a coil of tubing to give the needed "flex". I have also seen the same approach with steel/stainless steel, with this stuff really coiled because of its rigidity. When polished, all the stuff looks great. My 2 cents. Good luck.
Look into Nicopp lines. I got mine at Autozone. http://www.agscompany.com/automotive/brake-fuel-transmission-lines/nicopp
Aaron, dis is the copper/nickel stuff I was telling you about. This is what I'm using on my pick'em up.
Hell, just stop by any plumbing shop & ask for a reminant piece of 1/4 inch soft copper tube, the wall thickness will easily handle the low pressure your pump puts out.
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/36914356?fromRR=Y here is a roll of -6 from MSC they also have -5. They might have all the compression fittings you need.
I just notice you are looking for 1/4" they have that also. Seems like -5 or 5/16" is what most vintage engines had for fuel lines.
The guys who like the look of red-clear fuel hoses, slip them over steel tube to keep the look without the danger of running gas through a plastic hose. Any reason you can't do that with the copper and just run some thin wall over steel? Might have to split it and install it after the fittings are on on short sections. Either way you need a coil or a braided line to get around the cracking issue. If you don't want to spend big bucks for a braided line segment, you can rob them off GM vehicles with TBI motors.
I have had copper on my 1947 Chevrolet truck for 7 years, not a daily driver but have you driven on Oklahoma roads! ?? Bracing it together and off of a stand bolt here and there is a good idea to prevent vibration, which leads to cracks. Mine is simple and I have seen some really far out stuff here on the HAMB as well.
I believe the only difference between regular copper tubing and acr tubing is that acr tubing is cleaned and capped
I agree with using nicopp, looks great, bends easily, and will last longer than copper. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I've never used metal fuel or oil delivery lines on race cars, as well as aircraft. Hard lines, in my experience, are a disaster ready to happen. Unless, you are going to replace them on a periodic schedule. Connectors are a different story
A refrigeration supply house, not Lowes or HD, will have the thick wall soft copper you need. I am in the hvac business and I see copper lines that size subjected to 280 psi, on a/c condensers and coils, under constant vibration all the time and I have never seen a split.
As said above it is the cracking issue and not the ability to hold pressure that is worrisome. That being said my Deuce roadster has copper brake lines installed in the 50s It's currently parked so don't fret it. My 34 P/U came with copper fuel lines but I replaced them with the "unsafe at any speed" see thru flexible hose. This is not the vinyl stuff that was outlawed in the 60s.
Yeah - it's good stuff. It does bent easier than steel, but it will kink if you're not careful. I'm going to order another 25' roll of 3/8" for my gas tank to the fuel pump. This stuff is also called NiCopp & Cunifer. It polishes up nicely in a few minutes with never-dull
'cause it's different! It's been argued to death, but copper for fuel lines is ok. Work-hardening happens to both steel and copper. The key is to secure the lines to prevent movement. Copper or steel, if it's flopping around it's gonna break!
What you want I believe is actually refered to as cunifer or kunifer. The brits use it alot. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yes - it's the fuel line of choice here. It has very different work hardening properties than copper.
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