Hard Lines 101

[MagmaJct]

Originally Posted by GRX

TIG rod. Good idea. I have always used coat hanger wire though. A lot cheaper. One short piece of flexible hose between frame & block is all that's required. My preference is to use much hard ine as possible to avoid potential problems. And I can't stress enough how easy the nickel-copper line is to work with. You can bent it into a pretzel by hand if needed.

Also ... laying a piece of string along the bent line is a good way of measuring the total length needed.

My understanding is that copper will work harden over time and crack. Does the nickel help this?

[GRX]

Originally Posted by MagmaJct

My understanding is that copper will work harden over time and crack. Does the nickel help this?

You are right about the older style pure copper lines becoming brittle. The NiCopp stuff is a Copper/Nickle/Iron/Manganese alloy which is said to be quite durable. I did some reading before buying line for my C-10 project. Many car restores swear by it and it''s all they use now. And certain European car mechanics said they have serviced Volvo and Rolls cars where the alloy lines are still in great condition after 40+ years.

[BB72CHEVKT]

All great info. I think I am going to buy a flaring tool and give it a shot. I guess it will really pay for itself if I can manage the learning curve. RB, I am sorry I missed the chance to check out your truck at the show in November here in Tyler. I did not even know it was happening.

[long69]

i wasn't able as tight a bend as i wanted to. it hard to get good pics to show but the fuel pump to carb required tighter bends than i could get. not done yet but i like my carb lines better than a $60 braided one. no pic for the pump but here is my carb lines

[BuiltwithIvy]

I use tig rod because I always have a bunch lying around for whenever I need to tig something in general, and even after its bent it can still be used, and the flare is based on whatever connection you are trying to make, not the type of material

[RustyBillet]

Hey BB72, it was a decent show, I'm still embarrassed by my truck since I haven't had much time to do anything to it. I'm doing quite a bit now-May for Showfest, are you going out there this year? Do you ever make it to the Whataburger cruise nights in Tyler? I'd like to meet ya sometime. Enough Thread-jacking, how's the hardline experiment going?
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[YBNORML]

Good thread! Some very good info in here.

[BB72CHEVKT]

been practicing....

[GASoline71]

Here's the one I made with 3/8" line...



Here it is installed...



Here is the flare tool kit and the tubing bender I used...



Gary

[BB72CHEVKT]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Here's the one I made with 3/8" line...



Here it is installed...



Here is the flare tool kit and the tubing bender I used...



Gary

That looks good. You could get a side business going making them for Holley's and Edelbrock's!