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TR4/4A Using existing fuel line

ghawk16

Jedi Trainee
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I know most are going to say just replace it as you can get some line thru Summit for $48 and bend it fairly easily, but has anyone that has done a restoration just used their old fuel line that was in the car if it seemed OK? Looking at the ends of all my pieces and blowing thru it, it doesn't seem to have any corrosion or buildup or any kind of resistance. My fuel tank was in very good condition even before I had it sealed up. I'd have to spray it with an aluminum paint or something like that to pretty it up as they go primer on it from the frame blasting...but that's another concern...maybe the sand blasting weakened the stock line. So I may have just answered my own question to replace and if that's the case would this line suffice?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220256

And what benders would you guys recommend that isn't astronomically expensive for a one time use?
 
Is there some reason you need stainless? You can get plated steel for half that price.
https://www.mcmaster.com/?m=true#5176k24/=1720xsk

I haven't done a restoration, but my 56 TR3 still has it's original fuel line. Other than having to blow body shop crud out of it, it still works fine. The pressure involved is only a fraction of a psi, it doesn't take much.

I bought a roll of the above steel tubing from MMC for the old tractor I've been working on, and bent it with one of these https://www.harborfreight.com/tubing-bender-3755.html
Worked well enough, though it would have been easier if I'd had 3 hands.
 
I would consider rigging up some way to pressure test it to be sure but unfortunately I didn't have that option cause my pipes were toast so I'm about ready to replace all of it. FWIW I found some stainless steel 5/16 pipe that can be had in a 10' roll here (https://www.verociousmotorsports.com/Shop-by-Category/304L-Stainless-Steel-Tubing-Coiled) for about $17 which should be enough to to get from the pump to the the union that goes to the tank. As far as bending it, well I'm on the hunt for a small pipe bender myself. I got one from HB that does up to 1/4" for $9 and that worked like a charm for the 1/4 pipe that feeds the carbs but unfortunately too small for the 5/16.
Anyway for 17 bucks it might be worth playing it safe and replace the old stuff...just sayin..
 
I reused mine without issue. No reason to replace it if it's not rotten or plugged.
 
Perfect. Thanks guys. I have an air compressor. I'll plug one end with a rubber cap and put some small air in it and see if it leaks. I'll clean it with some CLR or something like that and then clean it up, paint and reuse. The small piece between the pump and the first rubber connector is very clean inside which makes me think the rest of the line is too.
 
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