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09-03-2008, 08:58 PM
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#1 |
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Straight jacket required
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 882
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Copper fuel lines?
Has anyone used copper fuel lines, or is there a problem with disimiliar metals??
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1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it." 
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09-03-2008, 09:34 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada
Posts: 637
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I don't know if it's a good idea, it'd be easier to bend for sure, but I don't know if it might cause you problems if it reacts badly to gas, I'd stick with steel lines myself, someone else will chime in more knowledgeable than me. Why would you want copper feul lines anyway?
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1969 G.M.C 3/4 Ton 920 (Canadian Version) 307 3 speed, currently apart 1998 Chevy 1/2 ton ex cab V-6 5 speed 1967 Chevy SWB - project truck; not started just yet |
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09-03-2008, 09:54 PM
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#3 |
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Straight jacket required
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 882
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
Cuz I'm a plumber and like you said, it's easy to bend.
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1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it."
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09-03-2008, 09:59 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Wendell, Idaho
Posts: 608
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I came across 2 wrecked trucks the other day with copper lines. The 1st 1 had two saddle tanks and 1 behind the seat tank and they were all connected by copper lines, the other just had a copper line running from the sending unit to the bottom of the cab, then rubber. Not sure how the gas reacted to the copper though. Just thought it was interesting.
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1969 4x4 Nothing beats a good rock drill and some dynamite |
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09-03-2008, 10:02 PM
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#5 |
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Straight jacket required
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 882
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
Yeah, I'd like to find out how it reacts to it first.
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1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it."
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09-03-2008, 10:03 PM
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#6 |
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Firefighter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Yellville, Ar, USA
Posts: 1,943
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I've seen them used and they seem to hold up ok, but I would still go with steel or stainless steel if it were me!!
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'72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA  
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09-03-2008, 10:26 PM
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#7 |
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laying low
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,146
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
For safety reasons. In the event of an accident the copper tubing would colapse and split sooner than standard fuel tubing.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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09-03-2008, 10:53 PM
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#8 |
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Hollister Road Co.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,134
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
Copper is prone to vibration fractures so its not used on gasoline lines. Nickle-copper is ok.
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09-03-2008, 11:14 PM
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#9 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
dwcsr is correct ... copper will "work harden" and eventually crack due to constant vibration ... think of taking a piece of coat hanger or bailing wire and bending it back and forth and it will eventually fracture at the bend point.
lots of guys have used copper in the past, but I'm not sure I would take the chance when much better alternatives are available ... especially considering how flammable gasoline is. |
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09-04-2008, 12:07 AM
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#10 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,505
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
Would never use them personally b'cuz of the already mentioned potential problems----------however, I do see them quite frequently on these trucks with the added on side tanks, along with the plastic lines.
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09-04-2008, 12:55 AM
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#11 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Exeter, Ca
Posts: 100
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
X - 2
Quote:
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09-04-2008, 06:10 AM
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#12 |
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Special Order
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,861
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
Copper`s sure enough easy to bend.But,that`s the problem.It`ll keep on bending.Whenever you work around it you`ll end up bending it when you didn`t want to.Te steel has a rigid quality,bends nicely with proper tools,and stays that way.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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09-04-2008, 07:10 AM
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#13 |
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Straight jacket required
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 882
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
That's good enough for me, thanks everyone for your inputs. I'm going to go with stainless from Inline Tube. Thanks again.
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1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it."
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09-04-2008, 10:59 AM
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#14 |
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Licensed to Thrill!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northwest, GA
Posts: 1,673
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I used copper from my filter to the carb. Reason being my inlet on my Edelbrock was just going to be hard to hit and make it look right without the fitting I needed, so, I used copper because it was easy to bend. BUT - I also put rubber fuel line over the copper just in case.
 DLB Last edited by Orange; 09-04-2008 at 11:04 AM. |
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09-04-2008, 11:13 AM
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#15 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
when I got the longhorn, it had copper lines on it... ftom the tank to the pump. It looked like it had been there for many years and was still in good shape.
However, I agree with the above... not a good idea. |
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09-04-2008, 11:27 AM
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#16 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Dover Delaware
Posts: 270
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I found that alot of folks use copper to fix rusted fuel lines up in the north east. Never saw one cause a problem but I never had one with copper for a long time.
Tim |
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09-04-2008, 01:44 PM
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#17 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Arkansas
Posts: 1,131
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I'd say the only problem would be potential breakage during an accident. Which is the same potential problem for steel lines. Gasoline is petroleum based, as is LP (propane or butane), and those systems are hooked up with soft copper lines. So as far as any chemical reactions over the years, I'd say that's not going to pose any long term problems.
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09-04-2008, 02:23 PM
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#18 |
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English Chevy Owner
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France
Posts: 1,848
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I have copper fuel lines on my truck (OK its Kunifer, copper Nickel) with no problems and have had many cars over the years with copper. In our wet climate thars far less chance of a leak through copper fracturing than there is through a steel line rusting!
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Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission |
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09-04-2008, 05:01 PM
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#19 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
20 years ago, I used copper tubing on my 69 Chevy when I converted it to a 350. (I couldn't find a replacement.) It's still there and never had any problems.
Truck is parked now and when I redo the engine I will get the metal one since it's easily available and looks better. But, in a pinch, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. |
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09-04-2008, 05:25 PM
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#20 |
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Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!!
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512
Posts: 10,770
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I am not advicating copper, but for a show truck.... Pollished copper would look cool!! WES
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On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys |
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09-04-2008, 09:10 PM
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#21 |
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SOLD
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Poorest state in America(Breaux Bridge,Louisiana)
Posts: 370
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
copper is used on custom old school choppers for the look, i don't think i would use it on a classic truck though. I would use just a piece like ORANGE did though.
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1966 CHEVY FLEETSIDE SOLD 11-29-9 TRUCK THREAD- http://http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=301368&page=2 |
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09-05-2008, 05:56 AM
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#22 |
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WTB this ad
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lafayette Georgia
Posts: 5,074
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
It does look cool though doesn't it?
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09-05-2008, 08:10 AM
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#23 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,210
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I've had a copper 3/8 fuel feed line from the fuel pump to the carb on my 292 for 31 years. No problems.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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09-05-2008, 03:34 PM
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#24 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
What are these made out of?
 They sure look like copper under the chrome when you cut one up... |
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09-05-2008, 03:37 PM
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#25 |
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Damn Yankee
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Posts: 2,261
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Re: Copper fuel lines?
I think most cars and trucks in the 30's and 40's used copper fuel lines
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