fuel pipe

[ampwhu]

the fuel lines on my car are 50 years old. i'd like to replace the entire length if possible and replace it with copper.

what size pipe would i be looking at?

[RobMoore]

I recently had to get a fuel line and on checking ESM, BM and Tom Roy, I found BM was cheapest at £15 the fuel line comes as a single pipe with the attachments at both ends ready to fit.

[Alec]

Hello Ampwhu,

I think it is 5\16" O.D., about 8mm which I think is quite readily available. It's just the fittings on the ends that would need sorting out?

Alec

[RobThomas]

Might I make a teensy suggestion? Copper, whilst pretty and relatively inexpensive, isn't an ideal material to use for these pipes. Cunifer (Cu=copper, NI=Nickel and FER= Iron) is more resistant to cracking. Bearing in mind that your fuel line runs near the exhaust it might be wise to use Cunifer (aka Bundy?) pipe if you don't plan to change it for another few decades. It is a more Bronzey colour. No more expensive but more safe. Some states in the US ban the use of Copper lines on brake systems, IIRC.
You might even be able to unsolder the connections on your existing pipe and solder them onto new bundy, or even leave the tank end alone and put a short rubber section onto the stub, thus allowing you to leave the potential leak-site alone and add a flexible section to cut down vibration.

Just my 2p worth.

[bmcecosse]

While I agree that COPPER is totally unsuitable for brake pipes (and 'Bundy' is steel brake piping, usually plated with nickel or similar) - it should fine for a fuel pipe. I think you would have a lot of 'fun' trying to solder Kunifer (the accepted spelling) pipe.

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

I think we have had this discussion before, pure copper brake lines are reliable if installed correctly. The fact that they are banned in places does not mean that they are inherently unsafe. They have and are being sold in the U.K. for a very long time.

Alec

[RobThomas]

OK. I've learnt something new, then. Is there a cost benefit to pure Copper? I would have imagined it to be the other way round.

Any idea of the objection to Copper lines in some places if it isn't inherantly safe?

[taupe]

Copper lines if not correctly supported are subject to work hardening and ultimately fracture.

If correctly supported they are probably ok lets face it there are lots of cars with copper lines fitted that are fine.

cunifer pipe is less susceptable to work hardening.

[Alec]

Hello Rob,

copper is not cheap but when I wanted an alternative to steel lines (this is maybe 25 years ago) the only one I found was copper, sold by Automec . I've used it ever since, and also, Automec are still selling it today.

Alec

[Kevin]

For a price comparison my local partco did copper for £10:50 and Kunifer for £12:50 both prices are for a 25ft roll.

[bmcecosse]

I can only say that when checking over my car when I bought it - a previously fitted copper pipe just fell off in my hand... It had work hardened and cracked right where the nose had been formed inside the fitting. It was an accident waiting to happen.......

[GeorgeHurst]

Is there any sense in / does anyone use steel braided rubber hose all the way from the tank to the fuel pump?

[bmcecosse]

Sounds expensive! But no harm in it I suppose.

[GeorgeHurst]

Yes expensive indeed at £8.60 p/mtr - cotton overbraided rubber hose is £5.87 p/mtr (from VWP) - just interested as it seems like a nice flexible solution which wouldn't suffer from cracking etc due to flexing

[bmcecosse]

Cracking etc isn't an issue with fuel pipe - just brake pipe. Copper is fine for fuel. Rubber pipe will perish with age.

[67-2door]

The previous owner of my minor has replaced the fuel pipe with rubber hose all the way from the tank to the pump then the carb too (and no hose clips). Think I may replace it with copper pipe at some stage.

[GeorgeHurst]

ah yes, good point - I certianly can't afford a new braided fuel pipe at8.60 a meter so just as well

[taupe]

Hi

A lot of modern cars use rubber or plastics fuel lines and as long as its correctly supported, is fuel rated pipe and is properly secured at each end it should be ok. The original pipe was steel and personally I wouldnt use copper and would either use steel bundy tube or cunifer pipe.

[GeorgeHurst]

thanks for the info taupe

[ampwhu]

managed to buy 3 metre's of 8mm pipe for £4! i have some braided pipe somewhere and i've bought a re-usable filter for £5. some clips and it comes in at around £12 all in. more than happy. thats a job for the winter as i will be re-routing the fuel line when the old engine is out, along with some other 'maintenance' under the bonnet.

happy days!