Im going to be needing all new fuel lines from the tank to the engine bay when I start work on my car, and Im weighing my options. The original lines were destroyed/removed when the car was stolen and stripped. The car will be running a carbed 12A for now, but I have turbo plans in the future, possibly even EFI turbo.

First of all, theres the obvious. Getting used hard lines from a parts car and putting them back in. Seems easy enough.

Second thought. Buying bulk hard line, and making my own new lines routing them where I want in the sizes I want. I would go for steel I think, but Im not sure. They also have aluminum. Although, this seems a little overly difficult. If I was going to build all new lines, I might as well use a material easier to route, such as hose, instead of hard line I have to use benders and flare tools on and such. This leads me to my third thought...

Braided stainless line with -AN fittings. This seems "bling bling" but its really not too bad. The cost is a little high, but it seems simple enough to do. I have experience with these lines, and under the hood is already braided stainless hose for the fuel system anyway. If I go this route, it would be -6 (3/8) with an inline 40 micron filter with replaceable elements, from the pump forward. Tank to pump would be rubber so I don't have to weld fittings onto the tank.

Now then, I was thinking that if I were to run the braided lines, it would integrate easily with whats already under the hood from the regulator to the carb (Holley) and look nice. Also, it would handle the EFI pressure should I want to go that route later. Then again, so would the hard lines. If I went this route, I would probably run the stock hard line for the vent also.

Other thoughts. What do I do with the return line on the tank either route I take? I dont need a return with the Holley and regulator Im using, so do I just block it off at the tank and run the vent line to the charcoal canister as usual? This seems to make the most sense to me. No need to run a line for the return all the way to the engine bay just to plug it there, and the tank can still vent properly.

The main reason Im moving away from using the stock lines is simply due to lack of availability for the most part. Not too many parts cars around I can just pull that stuff of off. I like the simplicity of just buying the parts I need to build new ones and going that route. Its one of those situations where it comes down to "whats my time and effort worth" finding the stock parts.

Opinions?

~T.J.

 

When I did the T2 swap I just got some brake line of the appropriate size, bent and flared it as need to make the new lines, I would go that route personally.

As for the return, if you don't need it just cap it at the tank and run the vent to the charcoal canister as you said, it'll work out fine.

 

I went with AN fitting all around and Russel's aluminum hard line which are cheap enough:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I think that pretty much covers it.

Here's and underside shot of my car showing those lines:

 

When I replaced mine, I went with a roll of 3/8" aluminum. Very easy to bend and the 25' roll was under 20 bucks. Laid out the old lines on the driveway and used them as a pattern. You will need to bulb flare the ends for the rubber lines

 

Sounds like someone has done each of my choices, haha. I hadnt thought of combining the -AN lines and hard lines though, I will look into that...

~T.J.

 

Hey guys will the -8AN size lines be too big for use on a stock 12a ?

 

yeferz, I mean yes -8 is fine. You can use any line size as large or larger than the original 8mm or 5/16" send line. I went with 3/8" on the GLC. I also installed a GSL-SE 5/16" return line on my '81 for a future EFI project (now send and return are 5/16").