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Copper fuel lines

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Whitephrog

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Is there any special grade of copper tubing to use for fuel lines? Is 1/4" OD the correct size?
 
Yep- "cheapest" copper is way better than the steel that originally came with the car, 1/4" OD is correct.
As Frank said one of those refrigerator ice-maker kits works great.
Bill
 
I thought copper was bad to use because it doesn't do well with vibration, becomes brittle and fails. I don't know. Just remember that from redoing my old Opel lines.
 
Never a problem for me before, just use the clips and there shouldn't be too much problem.
BillM
 
Copper brake lines are no good because the brake pressure could burst soft copper.
Hard copper may fail due to vibration cracks.
But soft copper with 2-4 psi of fuel pressure from an SU fuel pump will last a lifetime. I have copper 1/4" OD fuel line in all my Sprites, some over 15 years old now. And I drive em!
I am re-restoring my Speedwell Sprite now but the copper fuel line is one item I do not have to replace this time. Just the paint and an engine rebuild with some new rubber bushings here and there and new hoses and wheel cylinders to compliment the fresh paint job.
 
I bought both the 3/16" diameter brake lines and the 1/4" diameter tubes from fedhillusa.com. The tubing material is a copper alloy which is strong, but is fairly easy to bent. Highly recommended! I bought a tubing flair tool from Sears for the brake lines. The picture shows my fuel pump set up with both brake and fuel lines.
Scott in CA
 

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Hey guys;

I don't mean to be inconsiderate, but check your local authorities.
In Canada, copper lines are illegal for brakes, and frowned on heavily on fuel lines, (even propane).

Just don't want anyone running astray of the law.

Dave :driving:
 
Frank

For my fuel line can I use refrigeration grade or do I need to use the thicker K Type. I can buy either at Home Depot. The K Type comes in their ice maker installation kit (15 feet I believe). The refrigeration grade come in 10 or 20 foot rolls.
 
I used Ice maker Kit type stuff on Bugsy when I replaced the fuel line about 9 years ago. I did crack the line once due to the fact I was using non standard brackets, not supported properly, instead of the traditional clips on the frame rails. Spliced in a piece of rubber gas line hose and was underway 10 minutes later. I attributed the crack to so unnatural stresses I put on the line when installing. This type of tubing is very easy to work with and very forgiving.
 
You can buy steel brake line perty durn cheap at your local parts house. Most big box parts houses also have a tubing bender they will loan you if you don't already have one. I have not priced the ice maker kits, but in general, steel is much less expensive than copper. And it is also much more durable. The steel brake lines I bought to run fuel on my car cost lest than $10.00 total if I remember correctly.
 
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