Copper fuel pipes

Post by **Cam** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:41 pm

Just a general question about the availability of copper fuel pipes.

Not STRICTLY Moggy related but I would like to hear your experiences.

Last year I tried to get a new copper fuel pipe for my mum's Sierra. The parts places did not do them but they suggested I tried Ford directly, so I did and they told me that they don't do them at all and to get a 2nd hand one from a scrapyard!

Well....... I bought a new one for my MG about 2 years ago from the Birmingham MG place (next door to the Moggy centre) and after trying to fit it last weekend it's too short! So I rang them up and they apparently have given me one for an earlier car which is jointed and therefore shorter! They also said that they don't do the later type (just a stright copper pipe with no unions but a bit longer).

So I rang the MG owners club spares place and they said 'yes we know the one you are after - it's the one without unions on the end - for late cars' so I ordered one............ and they have sent me EXACTLY the same part as I already had!!

so after ringing them back today they told me they don't do the later one at all!

Hmmm.... I thought, I'll have to order the pipe extension then, but they don't stock that either!!!

So how the hell am I supposed to replace the fuel line then??

The answer they gave was to get a 2nd hand one from a scrap car.....

OR to use a long rubber pipe to extend it (under the car) and chop the union off which I don't like the idea of.

All I want is a length of copper pipe the correct diameter and length. Surely that's not asking too much??

I thought of joining the two pipes I have together (brazing or jointing with a small bit of rubber pipe under the bonnet) but I would much rather have the correct one-piece pipe.

Does anyone know where I can buy such a thing? is there an on-line store or can anyone suggest a place?

Thanks folks.

Not strictly Moggy I know, but I have to buy one for my '52 eventually and I don't want to be facing the same set of problems with that one either!

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:31 pm

You could try somewhere that makes brakepipes; some places that make their own brakepipes might be able to make you up a suitable pipe? If they're similar diameter (which I am not sure about!

)

Post by **Stig** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:44 pm

Sadly fuel pipe's bigger diameter than brake pipe. You could try an auto factor, I bought copper brake pipe by the metre, but then you've got the problem of fitting the unions. I guess some flaring tools might do the larger pipe as well as the usual brake pipe size, but mine doesn't.

Post by **Cam** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:47 pm

I think the pipe (from memory as I don't have it with me) is 5/16" diameter or 8mm.

But I like your thinking!! I thought I'd ring up Think Automotive - one of the countries largest suppliers of automotive plumming parts (according to them).............

Guess what??? they don't stock it!!!

Brilliant!!

So I guess it's a bit more difficult to get than I thought!

However, ringing around places in Stoke I have found a place that stocks 5/16" copper fuel pipe!!

L & H Linings and Hoses in Hanley (couple of miles from my house!). So I have ordered 15 feet (£14.69) which I can pick up on Saturday morning!!

I don't need to fit unions for the MG as it fits into rubber pipes at both ends and is secured with clips.

Hope I don't have this trouble when I come to get some for the '52! But then again, Moggy parts suppliers seem to be generally a bit more 'switched on' than the others!

I hope!!

Post by **Chris Morley** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 3:38 pm

Incredible! A non standard fuel line should be easy to obtain.....

My moggie came with a rubber 'join' near to the fueltank, held in place with two jubilee clips. It's never given any problems but it's not ideal.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:03 pm

Surely if its 5/16" you should be able to buy it from Calor Gas stockists as thats one of the sizes used to pipe up caravans and boats.
Ian.

Post by **Cam** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:15 am

It's proper fuel pipe that I have got now. The chap in the shop (very helpful and friendly) asked me if it was for a fuel line.

It seems to be a copper alloy as it's a bit more difficult to bend than the ordinary copper pipe I got from the MG owners club. It's lighter in colour but I don't know what it's alloyed with (not that it matters really

).

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:28 pm

Cam it sounds like its the copper-nickle mixture.

Post by **Cam** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:18 pm

Yeah, it does after reading the other post on the brake pipes...........

Should be pretty good then *IF* I can manage to bend it into the right shape!!!

Post by **Relfy** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:50 pm

How do you bend copper pipes without them kinking? My mum was talking about filling them with sand and bunging up the ends..... but there must be other ways right?

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:20 pm

You buy a pipe bender. They come in sizes for plumbing or for brake pipes, both sorts support the outside and inside of the curve to stop kinking. I read once that the guys who make custom exhaust systems often do fill them with sand and bung up the ends, then heat the pipe and bend it.

a
PS Here's one - http://www.toolspot.co.uk/product/red-m ... 8-and-10mm

Post by **Cam** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:56 am

You can't practically fill 10 feet of 5/16" pipe with sand to bend it. You won't be able to compact it enough and you won't be able to clear it out afterwards when it's fitted in place on the car. Too long and thin you see. For larger shorter pipes (like exhausts) it will work although not many people use that method now, it's all done with pipe benders!! (quicker and easier).

A pipe bender is really the only option for ease.

That one Andrew mentioned is even cheaper than the one I was going to buy:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=040210264

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:07 pm

...and your pic is the one I bought! The thing I read was (I think) about v8 exhausts in some exotic sports car (ie a tight space). They welded a jig with pegs around which the pipes were bent - I'd guess either 'cos there wasn't room for the bender, or just that they wanted to do things the old way!

a

Post by **Relfy** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:07 pm

A-ha. Clever

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:30 pm

...and you should see some of the machines they use to make things like roll cages. They work on the same principle, and some of them are seriously impressive - all hydraulics and computers.

a

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:22 pm

Well I have a pipe bender for the household stuff (12mm and 15mm)

but for the new radiators I used 10mm and it is very easy to bend by hand. To get a pretty bend, I just bent it round a milkbottle.
Is the 5/16" much thicker and prone to kinking than 10mm household stuff? If not then a pipe bender is overkill.

Post by **Cam** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:04 pm

Yeah, I cut a little piece off and tried it. It IS more prone to kinking than normal copper.

The pipe bender (6mm, 8mm, 10mm) is only about £14 from machine mart, so I might just buy one.

What is the diameter of Moggy brake pipes by the way??

I have to put all new brake lines on the MG and '52 anyway so a little pipe bender might be a worthwhile investment?

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:30 pm

From memory they're quarter inch - I've got a bit lying on the desk in front os me - but holding it to the ruler, it appears to be 3/8 or 5mm. Can't find a reference quickly though, and not measured accurately.
a

Post by **Cam** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:41 pm

Right, so 1/4" = 6.35mm

3/8" = 9.525mm

and 5/16" = 7.9375mm

So a pipe bender that can do 6mm, 8mm and 10mm should do the job then!!

Cheers mate!