Running new fuel line - Metal vs Nylon

[xtreme732908]

I am in the process of running a new fuel line for my single rear tank 77 Bronco. I'm leaning towards metal lines, but not sure the hassle of bending tube is worth it. Can someone comment on nylon vs metal tube? Is there a benefit to going metal?

If I go metal, what dimension tube should I use?

What is the best way to support/strap down the fuel line once it's installed?

 

[mudstud]

I used BC’s fuel line kit. It has the lines pre-bent and has the brackets to hold the lines to the frame. If I were to do it again I would buy the lines from the parts house and use BC’s brackets.

 

[mudstud]

The lines are 3/8"

 

[Dbarnes72]

I used the aluminum fuel line from Speedway Motors. I bought a cheepo bender that does 3 different sizes. Stuff was easy to bend. Pressure rating is good on it too but don't have the numbers. Steel would obviously be stronger but running on top of the rail I figured it would be well protected. As far as bolting it down, Wildhorses has some pretty nice stainless clamps. They can be found on ebay also.

 

[Apogee]

Nylon lines and exhaust don't tend to get along so well...I'd stick with steel or aluminum given the space constraints on an EB frame.

 

[ransil]

I like the nylon , I can get junk yard Ford EFI fittings and make my own connections by heating up the tubing, for unions & other adapters I use push connect fittings

 

[73azbronco]

If your going carb, I highly recommend stock nylon, it couldn't be easier. That stuff lasted 46 years the first time, and contrary to others, does fine with headers just don't get it close or maybe route outside frame last few feet.

 

[rsharpnm]

I just installed the prebent lines this weekend, but it's obvious that unless you're doing a frame-off, that's a tough way to do it. Finally got 'em all wiggled and tweaked in, and finishing up the plumbing this week (went with a Carter 4070).

When the bronc was suffering bad vapor lock in Colorado last year, a salty ol' mechanic in Ouray told me that an electric fuel pump, steel lines and moving the exhaust away from the lines would fix me up. It makes sense that steel lines will dissipate heat well and move fuel quickly (as opposed to rubber). But the factory nylon worked well, IMHO, and I would've left it if I hadn't hacked up up over the years.

 

[Bronchole]

I used 3/8 stainless. I bought it from Summit Racing. I am use to working with the lengths of steel line that you get from the auto parts stores. The stainless is a dream to work with. I normally use a bender when working with the steel line but the stainless was actually easier to form by hand and was easy to keep it from crimping. Obviously if you wanted a real tight tunr the bender is better but otherwise all hand formed. It's a bit more difficult to put a double inverted flare on to it though. Estecially the 1/16" brake lines I did with the same type of material.

I had in the past used aluminum lines. After having them crack a couple times I abandoned that idea.

I have not been a big fan of nylon tube. Ever system that I have played with that was installed for a few years was very brittle.

 

[Broncitis]

Nylon DOT airbrake line works great. I use the reinforced DOT airbrake line and push to connect fittings that have fuel compatible o-rings. I have been using this for about 10 years and never had an issue.

It comes in many colors, so I use red for pressure and blue for return lines on most projects, but have also used black and silver for a more subdued look on others.

It is cheap, easy to work with, super tough and can be warmed up in boiling water or with a heat gun and can be pressed onto the barbed fitting on stock Ford EFI lines fittings or fuel rails.

I get it through McMaster Carr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#d.o.t.-tubing/=hn1ieg

Broncos came with nylon fuel lines from the factory and most of those I have removed are still in good shape 40 years later. I really see no advantage to metal in most applications.

 

[broncodriver99]

I just redid mine with nylon. The PO had ripped it all out and run rubber line from tank to carb. %). Everything slipped right in place. The hardest part is getting the fittings in. I did it the hard way with 2 hands and boiling water. There is a tool that makes it easy as well as just using the slip fit oring fittings.

NAPA had everything I needed within a day. IIRC total including an inline fuel filter was $40-50.

 

[DAKOTA7720]

x2 on B.C.'s clamps if you go metal. They're really clean looking.
You'll have to scroll down about 3/4 of the way to see them.

http://www.bcbroncos.com/fuelcarb.html

 

[J-man]

Call summit tell them you need 3/8 aluminum 20' roll and appropriate AN fittings. Get the summit fuel filter and buy some stainless hold downs. This tubing bends super easy by had for the small bends. Now if you need to do a 90degree bend buy a $6 harbor freight bender.

 

[Annapolis76EB]

The metal line from NAPA is very easy to work with and bends easily. I bought the 3/8" tubing in 6' sections and had no issues bending it into place. I would recommend just buying the sticks and bending it into position as you go. It worked well for me and was really easy. The tubing says NAPA on it, but it is made by these guys.

http://www.agscompany.com/automotive

 

[73azbronco]

The nylon line costs about $10 and lasts 46 years.

 

[bknbronco]

I went with the nylon from JBG (maybe it was LMC?). Its cheep and works fine. I went with about 12" of rubber between the tank and fuel filter. Then a 2" or 3" chunk of rubber between the filter and the nylon line. Then again a small chunk of rubber from the line to the fuel pump. I went with rubber from the fuel pump to the carb filter. The double clamps are from Wildhorses and are perfect for the gas and the brake lines.

 

[cs_88]

When I replaced my lines I ordered the nylon that Jeff's sells that is 5/16" (which they claim is stock size) but all my lines were 3/8".
The nylon line I ended up using was Dorman 800-075.

 

[Broncitis]

For fuel and brake line clamps I prefer the ones from Totally Stainless (page 3 of catalog in link). Nice, clean and simple design which looks great when secured with their specially made stainless button head sheet metal screws.

They make them in singe and double configurations of various sizes.

http://www.totallystainless.com/2010catalog/catalog37.pdf

I also like the double line snap in nylon clamps (bottom of page) for the DOT airbrake line I use for fuel line. The ones just above it look like they may work very nice as well and are even less expensive.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/1526/=hnjfkl

Again, clean and cheap at only about $.50 each.