Bending Steel Fuel Line
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1345
Printed Date: November-22-2024 at 2:29pm
Topic: Bending Steel Fuel Line
Posted By: Jim_In_Houston
Subject: Bending Steel Fuel Line
Date Posted: March-17-2005 at 11:27pm
How do you bend 5/16" steel fuel line? Anyone?
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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Replies:
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: March-18-2005 at 8:56am
Not to funny Jim but a Tube Bender otta do the trick just fine. They use them in the aviation industry all the time but most lines are made of aluminum. I would think that a tube bender would work on a 5/16" steel line just a little more brute strength to do it. Don't know if you'd find one at Lowe's or Homey D or not. Let me know.
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: March-18-2005 at 10:11am
They use steel lines on cars as well, go to NAPA or any autoparts store or home center of your choice to get one.
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique
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Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: March-18-2005 at 10:18am
Jim I forgot to mention,in a pinch, you could fill the line with sand and cap the end of the lines with something. Then bend it. Of course be sure to flush it out real good after you bend it the way you want it
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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Posted By: skyhawkflyer
Date Posted: March-18-2005 at 10:22am
GOOD LUCK with the steel line! I've bent many working on jets. The bends won't be that bad, although to do a fuel line correctly you need a double flared end. Without it your line may be leak free but won't last nearly as long as one with a double flare (the ends tend to crack as the fitting is torqued down). To aid with making bends put some light grease on the portion of the tube being bent, and on your bender as well. It'll help make a smoother bend. be patient and go slow.............
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Posted By: Siveck
Date Posted: March-18-2005 at 11:56am
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Just buy a bender and a double flare tool and you are set. I made a 3/8 line to go from my fuel filter to carb with no problems. It has a couple of bends and fits perfectly. It just takes a little patience.
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Posted By: Jim_In_Houston
Date Posted: March-18-2005 at 12:42pm
Thanks!!! I'm on my way to get a bender now.
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: March-24-2005 at 4:26am
I did that to my 84 nautique... turns after I bought the fuel line, bent, and install it.... Skidim had one I could by for $3.50. but it was fun to bend lines!
cheers
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Posted By: Jim_In_Houston
Date Posted: March-28-2005 at 1:03am
Follow up: I bent 3 lines and broke off a brass fitting in a new pump. I then ordered a fuel line from skdim for a 302 and Holley 4160 and it fit perfect - no strain. Live and learn.
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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Posted By: skyhawkflyer
Date Posted: March-28-2005 at 12:13pm
Don't feel bad, I've bent many lines before and unless you do it often and have good tools to work with then the success rate isn't too good. (Good tubing benders and double flare tools are very expensive, the cheapies don't cut it)
Considering your time spent and money involved you made the right decision. It's also not worth having a flared end crack (which is almost certain on a single flare at some point in time), resulting in a fuel drip that sets your engine on fire.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April-01-2005 at 12:08pm
When I am not at the lake, I fly remote helis. There are several times I will need to bend brass and aluminum tubing. the I.D. of the tubing I use is smaller; however, I have always had excellent success stuffing the tubes with a weed wacker line or stiff rope!
Keeping in mind the fuel tubing you will be using is 2x greater diamater, if you visit the hardware store and find a small section of stiff rope, you should not have a problem making smooth bends.
As Morfoot, mentioned, sand will also work.
A couple ideas that should save you a few $$. Good luck.
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Posted By: kenny g
Date Posted: April-01-2005 at 10:06pm
plumbers,who graduated from the old school would slide tubing inside a spring and bend it without a kink!
that's 3/8 copper.i've never tryed it with stainless.
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kenny g
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Posted By: skyhawkflyer
Date Posted: April-04-2005 at 10:14am
try the spring trick with steel and you won't get your spring back!
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