My steel fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb has a couple kinks in it. Not entirely kinked so as to block the flow but I'm not sure how much the restriction will cause issues. My question is, what do you guys recommend for a new line? Should I buy new steel line or just go with a rubber fuel hose?

I just installed a new fuel pump and new reman carb and don't want any problems now or down the road.

 

It will probably be ok, so leaving it as is would be option 1.

Option 2: Find an identical OEM part. Easier said than done, but I bet it can be found.

Option 3: Using as much of the metal line as you can, finish it with braided steel line and AN fittings.

Option 4: Replace it with rubber hose only if you are fleeing a rapidly advancing enemy army.

Rubber hose is too vulnerable and adds to the disaster if you have a fire.

 

I would stay with the metal line. It's just more durable than rubber line.

 

NAPA and others sell "brake" line with proper fittings, that bends up easily, even with your fingers if necessary (green stuff). The problem with rubber hose is it will eventually rot from the inside out. It's pretty scary to see gas spraying far and wide under the hood near exhaust manifolds from a tiny split. Supposedly the fuel-injection rated hose is ethanol tolerant, that's probably what you want to use if you go that route. But bending up your own line is easy.

 

Thanks for the tips and suggestions! I never thought of the braided hose/AN fittings as a solution, but it's a good idea. I think for right now I'm gonna give the NAPA "brake" line a go and see what happens.

Thanks again!
BK

 

Or you can order a pre-bent metal line from Inline Tube - The brake plumbing experts. Recently someone posted that they had ordered fuel and brake lines from them and were happy.

 

Thank you for the link my friend! I've been searching for formed lines and haven't had any luck except for Dennis Carpenter and they didn't give any specific info. I appreciate your help!

 

You gotsit vroc. Welcome aboard and nice to see you joined the Club. Bunch of great folks here in the Bumpside Kingdom.

 

Inline tubes had the 390 lines in stock. I had to send my 360 pump to carb so they could bend one to match but yeah, the product comes out laser sharp. $25 for stainless pump to carb. They may have saved the template, ask for Karly.

 

I think I remember that brake lines have a different thread pitch and double flare to single flare.
Orich

 

Metal fuel lines will have double flares on the ends just like the metal brake lines.

 

Here's a direct pre-bent replacement from SSTubes. I actually have a little kink in mine that works fine. I would stick with metal though.

https://sstubes.com/tpc6841

 

Sorry, just noticed this was for the 360. You can send them your original line as well and they'll send the new one back.

 

True, but while a single flare wouldn't be suitable for brake line, a double flare should be fine for fuel? Not sure about thread pitch, that's interesting. Seems to fit OK??

 

Standard double flare fitting size for 3/16" hard line tubing is 3/8"-24.

Standard 1/4" tubing fitting size is 7/16"-24.

Standard 5/16" tubing fitting size is 1/2"-20.

Standard 3/8" tubing fitting is 9/16"-18.

Standard 1/2" tubing fitting is 3/4"-16.

However, in the case of Ford brake systems, 3/16" hard line is used throughout but, the (specialty) fittings used on the various brake components could be any of the first four line sizes listed above but, standard fittings will be too large to fit a 3/16" hard line. -- the center hole in the fittings for a standard 7/16"-24, 1/2"-20 or 9/16"-18 line fitting would be too large for 3/16" tubing.

Here, I have three specialty line fittings on a piece of 3/16" hard brake line tubing. The O.D. of the fittings are larger than the standard 3/8"-24 fitting for 3/16" tubing but the smaller than standard I.D. is designed for use on 3/16" hard line.

Fittings left to right: 9/16"-18, 1/2"-20 and 7/16"-24.