Copper fuel line

[MOPLUM]

My question is: has any one used copper tubing for fuel line on a carburated car? I think I searched the forums properly, can find no discussion for this question. I have read other google search site forums and there seem to be a thousand self proclaimed expert answers. Most say it is to soft, it will crack. I guess they have never worked with copper tubing. Bottom line is why not? If it is secued properly with cushclamps, use double flares fittings, pressure of 6-7 psi is certainly not a problem. It is all over my farm tractors for fuel lines, they certainly get hard vibrating use. I have been a comercial refrigeration tech for over 30 years, I use copper on very vibrating applications, pressure of 300 psi, soft and hard copper both last for 50 years or more. So is there a DOT, NHRA, or other regulation saying copper tubing cant be used? I would like to know, others maight too. Copper tube is easy to find, easy to work with, bend, soldier, cut, etc. P.S. I dont seem to find DOT, or NHRA rules saying anything about not using copper fuel line. That is me, I am probably not looking in the right places. Hopfully one of you can answer this.

 

[al383]

I used it for 10 yrs.my friend was a ref. mach. he gave it to me it was 1/2 in. don't know what type it was

 

[BIGSEXY]

I ran it on my car from the tank to the front for yrs.....No problems

 

[Coronet 500]

I.ve thought about this being a Refrigeration Mechanic for a long time. NHRA says if not oem steel then must be "metallic".

Any list of metals or metallic elements include copper. Aluminum is ok so I don't know, I have always used or suggested to use steel.

Dan.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Copper and aluminum are the same price for 3/8" line why not use the aluminum? would help with heat better?

 

[Photon440]

A lot of vintage cars used copper fuel lines, also small engines like B&S. Factories switched to steel because it was cheaper and also stronger - probably not an issue under the hood, but if you were to replace the whole line under the car with copper it would be more susceptible to getting dinged or flattened by rocks and road debris. You'd need it armor covered the whole length.

I've had dual inlet Holley lines that were soft copper under the chrome finish. As far as vibrations, I've seen copper lines on high pressure air compressors that vibrated more than most cars, and there hasn't been a problem.

 

[nm9stheham]

Gets crushed a whole lot more easily than steel. Maybe not a problem for a street driven hobby car, but asking for extra problems in a regular street car and certainly so for a work truck.

 

[A383Wing]

copper cracks and breaks easier than the other lines...

 

[Cranky]

Never used it myself but a buddy has had 1/2" from the tank forward on his 70 Cuda for the past 30 years....

 

[MOPLUM]

Refrigeration tech is a good carreer. Installing new or repairing is great, servicing sucks! Some systems are worse than being on the inside of a septic tank. One good thing is you learn real quick which restaurants to stay away from!

 

[Habib]

using copper for fuel line would be a lot safer then using it for brake lines correct?

 

[A383Wing]

never use copper line for brake lines

 

[HawkRod]

While I am not personally aware of a safety risk if you use copper, I guess I would ask why? Heck around here copper sells for big $$$, so I have to imagine using copper would be much more expensive. If I had it laying around, I would think to just sell it to the scrap yard at $4/pound and buy steel lines...

 

[Riverdawg]

Dennis Gage (My Classic car tv show) showed I believe a mid 60 GM truck that was black with lots of copper plumbing. Fuel and air lines, it was pretty sharp. The black and copper looked really good together.

http://www.myclassiccar.com/episode/19/05/ a couple of pics on the web site.

 

[MOPLUM]

I did find a reason not to use aluminum. I only post this reply because I have read quite a few people on the web stating use aluminum. I tryed to copy and paste it here but Im not familiar enouph with is site yet to be able to do that. In the handling book of E85 fuel it states materials to use and not use with ethenol fuels. Aluminum is near the top of the list. I dont have have ethenol here in Alaska that I have seen. But I have read it is all over the lower 48. This may intrest some of you so I thought I would reply to bigmanbjmopar question of why not use aluminum.

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Boy I missed that before I clicked post! Aluminum is near the top of the list NOT to use with aluminum.

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do not use ethenol with aluminum. There finally got it.

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Pre-bent stainless is $100, pre-bent steel zink coated $75, 20' roll 3/8" copper on Amazon $30 free shipping.

 

[srwilson8074]

I heard for years you couldnt use copper but when I ran a dualfeed carb all this was, was a copper line chrome plated, I guess make sure you get quality lines so you dont have a leak the seam.

 

[Mick70RR]

I've had copper fuel lines for years on the Road Runner from the tank to the carb. Cars were fitted with copper fuel lines up until the 60's when they changed to steel because it was cheaper.