Hard Fuel Lines

[RedRanger 1,468]

Thinking of putting hard copper fuel lines on my 401.  Anyone done this or is there a reason to stay with hose?

The tank and engine are both rigid mount so I assume there should not be much movement?

 

Want to put a glass fuel bowl and hard lines from the tank to the carb.

 

 

[953 nut 54,947]

   Despite the fact that the engine and fuel tank "don't Move" I would recommend making a loop at each end to avoid work-hardening of the lines due to vibration.

[roadapples 6,983]

Been thinking about doing this for quite a while, only with steel line like break line. Be interesting to see what others think.

[JP 141 79]

The only thing I would consider would be anything close to exhaust or high temps could cause Vapor Lock of the fuel, Do it but protect sensitive areas.

[Ed Kennell 37,961]

I think it would work, but you almost need a section of rubber hose to connect the fuel tank fitting to the metal line.

I would also recommend a short piece of rubber line at the fuel pump to take care of the engine  vibration.

Some of my engines already have copper lines between the fuel pump and carb.

[Martin 2,131]

i have done this in the past but i only use brake line. The 1057 rebuild was probably the most hard line i have used on a tractor.

Just remember to use just a little rubber hose somewhere in the line or the vibration of the engine could eventually cause issues with the hard line. (I used rubber with a filter just before the pump on the engine)

The pics start about here......

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/30753-here-we-go-again-1057s-turn-now/?do=findComment&comment=279658

 

making the lines up isn't that difficult and they look so much neater and cleaner than rubber line.......

Edited December 4, 2015 by Martin

[slammer302 2,155]

A member here name Hammerhead has this awesome army horse and he used copper hard line for the fuel if you want he has a thread about it just search army horse. I've been wanting to add hard line to my lawn ranger i think it will hold up better to the junk gas we have these days. I put all new rubber line on my sons lawn ranger last year and its already very hard and i used the good stuff and my suburban got all new line after i restored it a few years back and the line is toast on it too.  

[RedRanger 1,468]

I was leaning toward copper over brake line just for the look.  Army Horse presents very well with it and Martin's horse, the bent line looks awesome.

I'm sure brake line is more practical and durable, but the copper just looks cool.

I've never seen an old still made from brake line???  

As mentioned above, I also put brand new quality rubber hose on my 867 this spring and it is already getting hard.

The 401 needs new rubber as well and I'd rather convert it.  I also want to put a glass bowl back on it for the period look.

 

Thanks for all your replies.  I think I'll be giving it a try soon.

[Ed Kennell 37,961]

If you want a fuel hose that will last with the E-85 fuel,  Get the Marine plastic line that is designed to handle the alcohol.  It is expensive($4/ft), but you only need a small amount at each end of the hard metal line for tank and engine connection.

[Hammerhead 817]

Thanks a lot Slammer for adding my Army Horse to this thread! I have the correct fuel bowl/filter set up on here too, it works great. I did away with the fuel pump on this unit since I couldn't locate a rebuild kit at the time. The copper looks great and works way better than rubber hose. You will need some copper fittings with o rings to seal it all up nicely. I used some more copper on the front bumper bolts, well they are brass with copper lock washers and brass nuts, hard to tell unless you see it in person. I put brass bolts with brass crown head nuts on the rear fenders where they bolt to the tool box too. I figured the Government would have built it that way, heavy duty! Plus it looks killer up close! I like to call it The War Horse! I have since added the

official Army Numbers to it.  Thanks again....KJ

Edited December 19, 2015 by Hammerhead
spelling errors

[slammer302 2,155]

@Hammerhead your army horse has gave me sum motivation to build my own military horse. I have a 633 that would be a good candidate for sum OD green and sum hard lines i'm just not sure how to go about fixing the giant hole in my hood but i'm going to give it a try

[953 nut 54,947]

16 hours ago, slammer302 said:

build my own military horse. I have a 633 that would be a good candidate for sum OD green

 

Hay, what about Battleship Gray, or even Air Force Blue, we need to give some recognition to the other military branches.