Hard or soft fuel lines?

[Colo77Bronco]

I am getting ready to get my EFI set-up going and want to do it right the first time.

I want best function more than cool factor of braided stainless lines. If they truly are better I will get them. What is the best way to go?

 

[904Bronco]

I am getting ready to get my EFI set-up going and want to do it right the first time.

I want best function more than cool factor of braided stainless lines. If they truly are better I will get them. What is the best way to go?

I used steel, not too expensive, easy to find locally, easy to bend (bought an inexpensive bender) they will take some abuse. Rust can be a factor if water gets into the fuel. (Injectors do not like dirty fuel.) I also used EFI fuel hose and clamps, with Ford fittings for the fuel filter and injector rails.

With Plastic there is limited rust problems, flexible, does not like heat, you can buy lengths/fittings from Ford and other vendors. Not sure, since I did not buy, on cost comparisons, May not be able to get at your local auto parts store for quick road fixes.

I am sure others will chime in, but there was a comfort factor with the steel lines, and I had allot of leftover brass fittings and steel lines from a Landcruiser EFI conversion I did. My .02.
Doug

 

[Duke Nukem]

I've been using regular rubber fuel line for years with my carb without any problem. When I went EFI I decided to go with a low pressure/high pressure pump setup with an accumulator in between. Since I already was using a low pressure electric pump with my carb I just left everything just the same with the exception of running high pressure rubber fuel line from the high pressure pump to the fuel rail. In the end I only had to buy a few feet of additional fuel line and I was ready to go.

If, for some reason, I had to replace all my fuel line I might consider something different. But it works as is and I didn't feel the need to do all that additional work just for the bling factor.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Hard lines are for static condition (no movement)
Flex lines (rubber or braided) are needed to accommodate movement such as motor mounts. Also come in handy for connecting hard lines to fuel tanks and pumps. Flex lines also minimize the transmission of vibration through the system.
Flex lines are more expensive, should be replaced from time to time and should be supported with more clamps more often.
Hard lines stay where you bend them to, flex tend to float around a little more
But the more you transition between hard and flex, the more chances for leaks

I keep a few feet of fuel hose (high pressure injection rated) in my tool kit. I can use it to easily replace or bypass other rubber hose or hard line. I feel that braided line is a little harder to work around in a pinch.

 

[roundhouse]

Use the metal, the rubber lines offer no way to cool the fuel.

I have rubber lines both ways and had to add a PS cooler in the return line cause my fuel was boiling.

 

[A&Mbronco]

Aluminum line from jegs, like $30 for a roll

 

[SaddleUp]

Use the metal, the rubber lines offer no way to cool the fuel.

I have rubber lines both ways and had to add a PS cooler in the return line cause my fuel was boiling.

Actually metal lines transfer more heat than rubber does and are even more susceptable to vapor locking.

FWIW, I run rubber for my feed line and the stock plastic for my return line (Other than the connections to the motor and tank which are rubber).

 

[broncomanbrad]

I just bought a 25 foot roll of aluminum lone for $15 from Summit. I think that's what it was anyway. Looks pretty simple from the looks of it and it won't rust.

 

[roundhouse]

Actually metal lines transfer more heat than rubber does and are even more susceptable to vapor locking.

FWIW, I run rubber for my feed line and the stock plastic for my return line (Other than the connections to the motor and tank which are rubber).

They do transfer more heat, thats the reason they should be used, if you dont the fuel will pick up a little heat each time it passes thru the injector rails, and wont give it up going back to the tank. after about 45 min or an hour it will boil and the engine will stop running.

At least it did on mine till I put a P owerSteering cooler on it..