Copper Fuel Line??

[Strut]

Is it a bad idea to use copper hard line for fuel line?

Thanks

[mrh33916]

Interesting question, I'm curious to see what others may say.

I can tell you that some dual line feeds for Holleys are actually chrome plated copper tubing.

[Strut]

I have been working on a mobile home this week and just found out that copper line is not aloud with Natural Gas anymore.... It is no long up to code here cause over time the Natural Gas makes it brittle. That is what has brought up the question in my head....

[Tx Firefighter]

It's a real bad idea. Copper work hardens from vibration quite quickly. Eventually it will crack. The FAA has long dis-allowed it's use on planes for good reason.

[ya it is a classic]

so whats going on here????? i got copper in my 67 and my 55 gas lines. is that a problem or are you guys talking bout something else? sorry but im confused

[70cst]

Originally Posted by ya it is a classic

so whats going on here????? i got copper in my 67 and my 55 gas lines. is that a problem or are you guys talking bout something else? sorry but im confused

X2...if copper is a good idea then why hasn't the Auto makers used copper fuel lines in years past? Also in the aftermarket field...where can you purchase Copper fuel lines? Just some thoughts. Others???

[chevy3100]

Copper does work harden easily, which is bad (leads to cracking if not VERY secure). Also, copper is generally more expensive than steel.

[darthwall]

I really don't see a reason not to use it it is more expensive than alot of other metals if the line is secured properly and not hanging in the frame rail rubbing on parts it should last a long time I have had trouble before with aluminium line rubbing and frexing. I built RV,s over here for 4 years and installed refers furnaces ovens generators and so on never had a customer come back about a gas leak

[70cst]

Originally Posted by darthwall

I really don't see a reason not to use it it is more expensive than alot of other metals if the line is secured properly and not hanging in the frame rail rubbing on parts it should last a long time I have had trouble before with aluminium line rubbing and frexing. I built RV,s over here for 4 years and installed refers furnaces ovens generators and so on never had a customer come back about a gas leak

Like has been said...if copper metal were such a good idea than why have car mfg. never used copper fuel lines....non as far as I know. There are metalurgical concerns when using copper. By the way...what class of copper wouwld one use? Interesting thread.

[darthwall]

my bad I thought the question was about brass got my mine mixed up there

[cdowns]

quite a few cars in the 20's and 30's had copper fuel lines a few even had copper brake lines // turned out they didnt work so well

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Like has been said...if copper metal were such a good idea than why have car mfg. never used copper fuel lines....non as far as I know. There are metalurgical concerns when using copper. By the way...what class of copper wouwld one use? Interesting thread.

Car manufacturers don't use copper because it is expensive compared to steel and because when using copper there is a Galvanic Reaction with other materials. Basically what this means is it will either be eaten away, or will eat away at dissimilar materials such as steel, aluminum, etc. Basically you want to pick materials that have a similar anodic index number. Check out this link http://www.engineersedge.com/galvanic_capatability.htm

Aluminized steel lines are easy to work with and are readily available. Note how on the anodic indes chart aluminum and steel are very close and are therefore compatible.

I hope this helps.

I hope this helps.

[Longhorn Man]

very bad idea... unless you like fuel leaks

[LockDoc]

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OK, I'm not saying this is a good idea but I am saying it works. When I originally built my '36 Ford Coupe I didn't have any of the fancy smancy tools like a tube flaring set or tubing benders so I took the easy way out and used 1/4" copper tubing with compression fittings. I am in the process of re-building the Coupe right now and I replaced the copper with steel fuel line. When did I originally build the Coupe you say?... It was the winter of 1961/62, 48 years ago. I was 20 years old. When I removed the copper line last fall I straightened it out with no problems. No cracks, no corrosion, & not brittle, and it is laying out by the shop if anyone wants to inspect it. I had two, maybe three clamps on it holding it to the frame. Maybe the newer copper isn't the same quality as the old stuff, I don't know. They have cheapened up everything else...

LockDoc