Fuel line

[John S]

I need your opinions on my plan to replace the fuel and return line due to corrosion. I should’ve done it six years ago when I replaced the body mounts and had the right side of the car jacked up to replace the mounts. I should have replaced the fuel line then don’t wanna go through that again. I believe the body needs to be lifted 3 to 4 inches on the right side to be able to get the pre bent fuel line between the body and the frame. I was thinking braided fuel line feed it over the frame in the rear connect to the gas tank, secure with clamps along the way and connect to fuel line along the frame rail where it’s accessible. Replacing the front portion is another story. I’m sure that’s no bargain snaking that up through the frame around the coil spring and then out to the fuel pump I’ll deal with that somehow. But I was wondering what your thoughts are on the braided line. 
John S

[jft69z]

If you use braided line, get the one with PTFE liner, not the rubber type. The rubber style tends to degrade over time and could cause a catastrophic incident.

It actually happened to my Camaro. The braided line was probably 20 years old, took it out of winter storage and my buddy started screaming. Spraying gas all under the car (electric fuel pump). That led me to replace it all, and also the nice pretty one on the Holley double pumper, with the braided line that ties the front and rear bowls together. 

Make sure you get the correct hose ends, the Teflon hoses tend to use different fittings.

As far as the front, you can snake a hard line up thru there, it just takes patience. Get the correct adapter union to get the braided to hard line from there.

[John S]

54 minutes ago, jft69z said:

If you use braided line, get the one with PTFE liner, not the rubber type. The rubber style tends to degrade over time and could cause a catastrophic incident.

It actually happened to my Camaro. The braided line was probably 20 years old, took it out of winter storage and my buddy started screaming. Spraying gas all under the car (electric fuel pump). That led me to replace it all, and also the nice pretty one on the Holley double pumper, with the braided line that ties the front and rear bowls together. 

Make sure you get the correct hose ends, the Teflon hoses tend to use different fittings.

As far as the front, you can snake a hard line up thru there, it just takes patience. Get the correct adapter union to get the braided to hard line from there.

Thanks JOE. I’ll do some searching and see what I come up with.

[Dtret]

If you’re cutting out the original line leave the thru the frame section in place and when you’re ready to pull the new line through tape the old to the new and pull the old out the front bringing the new through the frame. 

[DragCat]

I'm changing my fuel pump to carb rubber lines to braided after Carlisle, NHRA specs 🙃 Also be aware if your ordering premade they may be AN fittings not NPT. I'm still upset having to use metric wrench's on my upgrades 😲

[John S]

1 hour ago, Dtret said:

If you’re cutting out the original line leave the thru the frame section in place and when you’re ready to pull the new line through tape the old to the new and pull the old out the front bringing the new through the frame. 

Thanks that was my original plan. Just like pulling wire through conduit.

[DragCat]

10 hours ago, John S said:

Just like pulling wire through conduit.

Sounds like you probably have an old fish tape laying around 🤣

[willie]

Hey John, to be honest and its written down on a post here somewhere. I didn't realize when i was restoring my 72. I put the body on before i ran the lines. I didn't have a problem snaking them through the frame to the front, but i couldn't get them over the frame by the fuel tank until i took out the right side body bushings and lifted the body alittle!

 

[Blackhawk]

When you're looking at braided lines, I prefer the nylon braided rather than steel braided. It's easier to cut, the strands don't stab your fingers, and they won't abrade the car wherever they touch. And black braided lines blend into the rest of the car better.

[jft69z]

32 minutes ago, Blackhawk said:

When you're looking at braided lines, I prefer the nylon braided rather than steel braided. It's easier to cut, the strands don't stab your fingers, and they won't abrade the car wherever they touch. And black braided lines blend into the rest of the car better.

Good point, I forgot to mention that.  I've been getting the black braided hose, not the stainless outer.

[John S]

7 hours ago, willie said:

Hey John, to be honest and its written down on a post here somewhere. I didn't realize when i was restoring my 72. I put the body on before i ran the lines. I didn't have a problem snaking them through the frame to the front, but i couldn't get them over the frame by the fuel tank until i took out the right side body bushings and lifted the body alittle!

 

You’re right about lifting the body. I wish I would’ve done it when I put body mounts in years ago. I don’t know if I wanna go through all that again, once was enough. Although I do get a little anal about stuff like that so I may just bite the bullet and do it.

[John S]

Thanks for the input. If I go that way, it sounds like the nylon or black braided hose would be the way to go.

[willie]

5 hours ago, John S said:

You’re right about lifting the body. I wish I would’ve done it when I put body mounts in years ago. I don’t know if I wanna go through all that again, once was enough. Although I do get a little anal about stuff like that so I may just bite the bullet and do it.

Do it right John, so you never have to look back and say to yourself, I should have.....!!!!!!

[John S]

18 hours ago, willie said:

Do it right John, so you never have to look back and say to yourself, I should have.....!!!!!!

You’re right I’m doing that right now about not doing it years ago.