Thread: Tank to Pump.

Tweet

Hi everyone. I was wondering if it is ok to use aluminum tubing for fuel line from tank to fuel pump (Mechanical pump). I was told from a guy at work that Aluminum tubing will break, is this true? Should i use steel tubing instead? Fuel line will be around 16'.

Welcome to CHR!

Aluminum is fine in almost all cases. see: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...FZNffgodiwIAaQ

What are you building?

Originally Posted by Shufflin

Hi everyone. I was wondering if it is ok to use aluminum tubing for fuel line from tank to fuel pump (Mechanical pump). I was told from a guy at work that Aluminum tubing will break, is this true? Should i use steel tubing instead? Fuel line will be around 16'.

Welcome to CHR. In my book I wouldn't see any problem running aluminum for a fixed line back to front, provided you have a secure transition to a flexible tube between the tank and rigid line, and between the rigid line and the fuel pump to. The one at the back may not be as important, since the tank is mounted solid to the chassis, but I like having some flex at both ends.

I would use aluminum on a drag race only vehicle that used race gas or pump gas with a small amount of alcohol in it, but I would be a little hesitant to use aluminum if I were going to use E85 fuel. It may be OK, but I wouldn't do it. You never know when the Feds will outlaw all petroleum fuel and institute E100-only at the pumps. I like to do things only once, so I'd probably use 1/2" stainless tubing and secure it to the frame rail every 12 inches or so with insulated Adel clamps to prevent line abrasion.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mr...lmMaAmTz8P8HAQ

.

Originally Posted by Shufflin

Hi everyone. I was wondering if it is ok to use aluminum tubing for fuel line from tank to fuel pump (Mechanical pump). I was told from a guy at work that Aluminum tubing will break, is this true? Should i use steel tubing instead? Fuel line will be around 16'.

It's ok if you do it right. The line needs to be supported well with clamps spaced fairly closely. You need to use AN fittings, and buy and use the correct flaring and bending tools. No rubber hose with just simple hose clamps. If you go that way you at least need to bead the ends.

Aluminum line will fatigue and break if you don't do it right.

Steel is much more forgiving. You can use inverted flare fittings. You still need to clamp it, bend it, and flare it correctly.

Summit and Jeg's sell steel fuel line in bulk, as well as aluminum.

Or you can go with stainless, that's another subject entirely.

Fuel leaks are not just breakdowns, you have the fire hazard to consider

depends on the alloy and wall thickness-all the mounting , flaring, support comments apply to any fuel line

I'm with Richard on this one, Stainless or Steel on the street, Aluminum on the track. A pebble off a tire at the right angle and velocity can punch a hole in an aluminum line quite easily.......(Please don't ask how I learned this!!!!!!

depends on alloy and wall thickness-------------if you are after every last ounce of weight as in a race car, choosing sizes depending on weight of fittings also comes into picture as well as location/size of tank (small up front tank for max weight reduction)

Hi everyone. Thank you for all the responses. After reading through i think ill go with steel line. As far as the car goes it is a 1936 Plymouth coupe. I put a pic up in the "Garage". Again thank you all. This site is awesome !!

I think you made the right choice.

Originally Posted by rumrumm

I think you made the right choice.

Yeah, I think so too. While I think aluminum would work OK it's not very durable unless you're going to some of the more exotic alloys, and like DaveS says, one stone can be catastrophic. I've got a coil of soft aluminum tubing that the original owner of my Deuce project purchased, and I think it will stay coiled for some other use in the future, in a more protected area. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is using high quality hose for the fuel line vs rigid. It's easier to route, is OK with the devil ethanol, and only needs two fittings to complete....

Will 3/8th line be ok to feed pump for dual quads (Eddy 500's) or should i go larger?

3/8" line will be fine. I run it on my 383 without any issues. Now, if you had a 468 big block, I would advise going to 1/2".

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ordered all my parts, now for the 4-5 day wait for UPS to show up. Bleh i should have had them shipped over night i hate the wait !! LOL.