Gentlemen,

I am in the final stages of my restoration project (1979 F-100 Custom, 6 cyl).

Regrettably I did not change out the fuel lines when I refurbished the tank. Yep- shook lose the rust in the original steel lines and had to clean the carb. after having it rebuilt already.

My question is which option has worked best for those who have gone down this path before:

1. Buy pre-bent lines - if so any recommendations (I know Long & Dennis carry them).
2. Bend your own from 3/8" steel tube (do you need a bending tool)?
3. A better option than 1 or 2.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Scott

 

Go to the vendor section of the hyperlink sticky. There are several places that sell complete prebent lines in both steel and stainless for a great price. For me, the price is low enough that it is not worth the head ache of bending them myself. After talking to one of the guys here, he spent less than $600 for ALL the steel lines on his truck, fuel, brake, trans, emissions, in stainless.

 

Thanks for the reply 4x4slik.

I checked out the sticky earlier. Any guidance on steel vs SS? I am convinced aluminum is not worth the potential issues but still wonder is steel fine for an every day driver or is SS a better choice.

I'm thinking if the original steel lines lasted 40 years that may just be the way to go.

Thanks,

Scott

 

My vote would be #2. Yes, you would need a bender and you should use a tube cutter, not a hacksaw for any line that might be cut. This will allow you to have a better look in the engine compartment where the custom bends get you right to the carb. You can also terminate the line(s) where you wish and run rubber hose from that point on. If you insist on stainless, it will be a little harder to bend, so use a good tube bender. Personally, the steel line will give you years of great service.

 

If you're doing it yourself, stainless is a little harder to bend, but that's not a big deal with a tubing bender ... it's much harder to flare, though, and you may break a few flare tools doing it if you don't have high-end ones that are intended for stainless.

In addition to Inline Tube and other such online outfits, you may want to check out local hose/fitting shops that serve industry - around here, there are some good ones that you could take in the old tubing or even a piece of coat hanger bent to shape and they'll bend the tubing to match, and the price doesn't end up much higher than just buying the materials... a little more leg-work required to get to them in person during business hours, etc. though. The online ones may be worth any price difference for the convenience factor.

 

It has been a day or 2 since I looked at prices, but the price difference was small between steel and ss.

 

Anyone know if the vendors ship to Canada?

I'd love to have brand new lines in my truck... but the headache at the border (stoopid people bending my lines out of shape) isn't something I want to deal with.

 

I don't know, but it'd be worth asking them:
inline-tube

 

My bending skills are... I'd say functional but not pretty. I think the pre-bent lines are well done and not too expensive. I've had good luck with inline tube. I prefer mild steel over stainless. Easier to work with especially if you need to cut or flare anything now or later. Absent unusual amounts of winter salt, the mild steel lasts many years. Plus lower cost.

 

if you bend it yourself get nickel copper easy to bend and wont rust its soft you can bend with your hands, 25feet is about $30 unless its some kind of show truck get ss pre bent

 

inline is a decent product,like you said ss not much more

 

 

Very neat stuff.

After buying all of the bending tools, flaring kit and doing the work yourself, I think you might not actually end up saving that much in money.

$500 for a full set of lines seems cheap to me, but I don't ever touch plumbing work, so who am I to say that lol.

 

You can run this down the frame rail in one shot . Takes 5 minutes to hook up from tank to pump. For 60 bucks. Unless it's a show truck 500 for fuel lines is crazy but to each their own

 

As stated above, it was $500 for all the lines in the truck. Not just the fuel line.

But I do agree, the fuel lines are real simple - just a straight line really.