Copper Fuel line

[74duster383]

Has anyone used copper for the fuel line?  I was going to get some braided line but I have about 25 feet of copper 3/8 line sitting on the shelf.  I don't even know if its within the rules or not for IHRA or NHRA.  Anyone know? And is it OK to use it.  Drag car only.

Thanks
Pete

[MVRCorp]

I wouldn't put that on my ex-wifes can. Seriously I think there is too much chance of the copper cold working causing a break. I doubt if it's legal.

[65DartGT]

I've heard that copper is too soft and will erode over time causing leaks and gumming up your filters.

[NYrr496]

Copper is no good for fuel lines or much else on a car.

[oldkimmer]

NHRA NO  NO.............KIM............

[kowski71400]

i ran it on my car and the guys at the track never said anything. mabey they never noticed it. i would not run it again. it is a pain in the ass to bend, and it retaines heat. just use aluminun, it's so much easier, and it dosent hold the heat like copper.

[bbscamp]

My old Austin Mini had copper brake lines!

[74duster383]

Thanks for the replys, I won't be running the copper line.  The problem is there isn't anywhere with a reasonable distance that has steel braided line or aluminum.  So I have to order everything.  I don't know what I'll need as far as fittings.  Is 6an 3/8?  I believe the AN fittings are in 16th which would make 6an 3/8.  But I need to know for sure.  Does anyone sell a kit with line and fittings?

Thanks,
Pete

[Capt Jack]

yeah, summit has a bunch of ready made kits they sell.  different lengths, all the plumbing w/ braided.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294924496+115+4294923362&NeXID=5

[Prodart]

yes 6AN = 3/8"

[jamesdart]

my 31 essex still has its original copper fuel and oil lines

[karfixer]

Just to muddy up the waters.... I work at my local school district and all the large busses have copper lines. I haven't seen any cracked lines, nor heard of any, and I can't see that as being an issue, the DOT and CHP would be all over that. This includes the fuel lines and the air brake lines. Trust me these things vibrate way more that any gas car you have ever been in. As far as bending, I've had to bend a couple of lines (fuel and air)and it was easier than steel to bend.

[loiq]

Copper is no good for fuel lines or much else on a car.

Other than wiring...

[b569rr]

My powerstroke has copper fuel lines. I run stainless on my cars.

[MVRCorp]

Copper fuel lines?  "Well blow me down" as Popeye would say.......sorry no picture. 

[urchinhead]

Copper is no good for fuel lines or much else on a car.

Other than wiring...

I hope you didn't miss the argument over stranded vs. solid wiring! 

[Crazy68Dart]

Copper would take vibration much better than steel, it is a softer material thus less prone to cracking.  I am not sure how it compares to aluminum, but it may be a good compromise between steel and aluminum?

[jyrki]

Regular copper should be fine, but the heated copper lines that usually comes in coils, and is easy to bend and  form, is different. It will work harden from vibration, and can crack. I have used that in the past without any problems, but that's what all metallurgists say, it will crack from the vibration sooner or later.

[sunsetdart]

#4AN=1/4".........#6AN=5/16"...........#8AN=3/8"........#10AN=1/2"............FYI

[kuztomz]

Just to muddy up the waters.... I work at my local school district and all the large busses have copper lines. I haven't seen any cracked lines, nor heard of any, and I can't see that as being an issue, the DOT and CHP would be all over that. This includes the fuel lines and the air brake lines. Trust me these things vibrate way more that any gas car you have ever been in. As far as bending, I've had to bend a couple of lines (fuel and air)and it was easier than steel to bend.

I bought some brake line at Napa a while back, standard steel line but it's copper clad on the outside  maybe that's the kind of lines used on the busses?

[bOb shingler]

#4AN=1/4".........#6AN=5/16"...........#8AN=3/8"........#10AN=1/2"............FYI

  whoa dude. i always thought each 1/16" was one "an" size.

[NYrr496]

#4AN=1/4".........#6AN=5/16"...........#8AN=3/8"........#10AN=1/2"............FYI

  whoa dude. i always thought each 1/16" was one "an" size.

1/4 is 4.   6 is 3/8, 8 is 1/2, 10 is 5/8. Bob's right.

[karfixer]

Just to muddy up the waters.... I work at my local school district and all the large busses have copper lines. I haven't seen any cracked lines, nor heard of any, and I can't see that as being an issue, the DOT and CHP would be all over that. This includes the fuel lines and the air brake lines. Trust me these things vibrate way more that any gas car you have ever been in. As far as bending, I've had to bend a couple of lines (fuel and air)and it was easier than steel to bend.

I bought some brake line at Napa a while back, standard steel line but it's copper clad on the outside  maybe that's the kind of lines used on the busses?

Nope, pure copper- remember "the air brake lines" air brakes only run 130psi max. It's pretty soft stuff, relative to steel. The only line failure i've seen was due to a clamp that got loose and allowed it to rub through- no different than any other material.

[sr71mopar]

Tour buses are loaded with hard copper lines too. Fuel, A/C, oil, air, you name it. On some of the older ones with R22 refrigerant 300+psi is is an everyday thing.

[NYrr496]

Twenty two years ago, we made the fuel line from the pump to the carb from copper until the Coast Guard outlawed it. I'm sure they did it for a reason. The same bending tools will bend steel or aluminum, so why take a chance?