I under the hood today and noticed the entire fuel line from the pump to the carb is rubber. Is this ok/safe?? I also saw that all of the line that goes from the tank to the pump that is visible in the engine compartment is rubber, and i REALLY thought that was supposed to be metal....?? I'm not sure if the entire line from the tank to pump is rubber, but ill look later today.

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Joe Scott
72 Chevelle 350/TH350
Red w/black int
Black vinyl top

It's OK if the line from the pump to the carb is rubber, if the proper fuel hose is used. I think it looks like hell, but it will work. As far as the pump to the tank goes, it should be all steel. If it isn't, fix it.

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Dan Orgill
" It's not the heat, it's the stupidity. "

Like Dan says, if it is the proper fuel hose, it will work but doesn't look so good. FROM THE FACTORY, ALL fuel line, except a short piece connecting the pump to the tank line, was steel. If you buy a good tubing bender, and with practice, you can bend your own steel line (get the line in different straight lengths from somewhere like NAPA). If you measure real good and make careful bends, you can buy a length that comes out just right and will not need to cut and double flare one end. Otherwise, you will need to buy or borrow a double flaring tool. Or, as an alternative, once you get a length of steel tubing formed and one end is too long (preferably close to the carb), you can cut out a section and splice it back together with a brass fitting that has compression fittings on each end. Once the air cleaner is installed, it won't show. Not only will you have a solid, safe steel line, but it will also look like Chevy made it.

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Tom Parsons

Make sure that it is routed sensibly, and remember that rubber will tend to droop when it warms up a little bit. On my L6 I have to tie the line up to keep it from resting on the exhaust manifold.

Joe, FWIW, if you ever race I think the rule is not more than 12" of rubber fuel line under the hood. I should've bought a tubing bender like DZ says, but Classic Tube is like 10 minutes from where I work so for $15 I had a piece of stainless tube bent which is stock for my car. ( although I'll be cutting it off for the regulator etc., ).

So either invest in a tubing bender/flaring tool and "roll your own" or spend the $15 for a steel line. It just looks much better and you'll pass tech if you ever decide to see how it does in the 1/4 or 1/8.

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Chaas
Gold #62/ACES
67 SS396/L88
www.chevelles.com/showroom/chaas1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/chaas1.jpg)

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 03-07-2000).]

Ford uses rubber fuel lines.

Well, there you go, the best recommendation yet....

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'll call OPG or NPD and get a repro steel line from the pump to the carb, because I definatly want to take it to the track one of these days.

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Joe Scott
72 Chevelle 350/TH350
Red w/black int
Black vinyl top

I ordered a steel line from our sponsor, Ground Up Resto. I had to tweak it a bit to get it to fit, but it's in place and clears all the brackets and accessories. Check the Super Chevy Magazine ads also. There's a company called Inline Tube who sells nothing but brake lines and fuel lines. Their website is Inlinetube.com.

Joe, hope yours fits better than mine, I just tried it tonight. It bumps the lower rad hose and wont fit. I borrowed a neighbors tubing bender, but I really need to cut it and reflare. I shoulda rolled my own like DZ said. I'm sure Classic Tube will tweak it for me, but so far I've spent more time than trying to roll it myself and have gained nothing in experience. that's a loss in my book.



[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 03-09-2000).]

Gene & Everyone else,
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gene Chas:
Joe, FWIW, if you ever race I think the rule is not more than 12" of rubber fuel line under the hood.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just to let you know...
(Quote from NHRA rulebook) "A maximum of 12-inches total (FRONT TO REAR) of non-metallic or non-steel braided hose is permitted for CONNECTION PURPOSES ONLY"

Mike

Mike thnx for the clarification. I'm out of spec already with the tank to steel line connection. DAMN!