fuel hose

[JasonB]

When upgrading from a 2bbl to a 4bbl, and teh stock steel fuel line won't work, what is the best way to go about hooking up the fuel SAFELY and CG friendly?

 

[Don S]

Re: fuel hose

I get a long steel brake tubing from NAPA and use the double flare on one end for the carb, then bend (Use a tubing bender)the tubing to fit and put a new double flare on the other end to connect to the fuel pump.

 

[JasonB]

Re: fuel hose

Great idea. What size tubing do you use? Maybe I can get licky enough to find one a usable length without cutting.... Something about this project has to go right doesn't it?....

 

[Bondo]

Re: fuel hose

The standard lines are 3/8ths" I believe.....

 

[JasonB]

Re: fuel hose

I'll stop by and have a look at the parts store today. <br /><br />On a related note, do either of you have any ideas/experience on my Merc 225-S question? If my fuel line issue is close to resolution, the only issue left is how to mount the throttle cable.

 

[trog100]

Re: fuel hose

out of curiosity would flexible copper tubing fit safety and legal requirments in a fuel line.. just wondering thats all..<br /><br />trog100

 

[seahorse5]

Re: fuel hose

FEDERAL LAW<br /><br />183.538 - Metallic fuel line materials<br /><br />Each metallic fuel line connecting the fuel tank with the fuel inlet connection on the engine must:<br />(a) be made of seamless annealed copper, nickel copper, or copper nickel; and<br />(b) except for corrugated flexible fuel line, have a minimum wall thickness of 0.029 inches.

 

[trog100]

Re: fuel hose

annealed copper is softened copper which is what i meant by flexible copper.. its softened so as it can be bent.. odd how they dont stipulate a minimum wall thickness for the corrugated stuff which is a different kettle of fish altogether..<br /><br />annealed copper would bend easier than the other two things mentioned but would be more easily damaged by knocks and stuff.. which is why i thought u might not be allowed to use it for fuel lines..<br /><br />trog100<br /><br />ps.. for anyone thats interested u anneal copper by heating it up to cherry red then quenching it.. u can harden it by letting it cool slowly.. it also work hardens very quickly so u cant keep bending the annealed stuff cos it hardens as u are doing it..

 

[Bondo]

Re: fuel hose

ps.. for anyone thats interested u anneal copper by heating it up to cherry red then quenching it.. u can harden it by letting it cool slowly.. it also work hardens very quickly so u cant keep bending the annealed stuff cos it hardens as u are doing it..

All the Metals I've Ever Worked with,..............<br />Are Exactly the Oppsite of this statement........<br /><br />Actually Annealing Usually requires a reasonably Low heat up,+ Slow Cool Down..............

 

[trog100]

Re: fuel hose

bondo.. yes tool steels and such are annealed (softened) by heating and letting cool slowly.. copper for some reason unknown to me cos i aint a metallurgist is the opposite.. <br /><br />copper might not fit the general trend of things but i am 100% sure that is how u do it.. and have done it many times.. honest.. he he<br /><br />u are probaly right about it not needing to be cherry red.. lets say a dull red just a bit hotter than black heat.. he he.. the point beyond dull red would be cherry red then bright red.. then yellow .. then white.. then it starts dribbling on your feet.. he he <br /><br />and to fully anneal tool steel it does need to be that dull cherry red.. it will soften at blue heat and become pretty useless as a tool but to fully anneal it u would go for the dull cherry red.. and the slower it cools the better..<br /><br />trog100<br /><br />ps.. ask me what all these colours mean in degrees farenheit and i wouldnt have the faintist idea.. he he

 

[JasonB]

Re: fuel hose

Stopped by the parts store this afternoon. original fuel line- 30" and 3/8" with many bends.<br /><br />Mercruiser line: $34 + Shipping<br />Don/Bondo line: $3.49 for a 30" line and $6 tube bending tool. Savings: $25 this go round and the knowledge to create another for less than $4.<br /><br />Thanks guys!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: fuel hose

I use copper (10 foot rolls at HomeDepot), but no matter what you use, check for leaks, check again, and check some more...and when you think your done, check again.

 

[ziggy]

Re: fuel hose

i just did the same thing to my 165. brake line. 40". bend to fit. works good just like stated. i like what seahorse says. but i have been reading the rules too and note that this fuel line statement don't fit this application. the fuel line specs. above appear to me to be from the tank to the fuel pump. the statement goes on to read. "Metal fuel lines used on the engine, i.e. the fuel line from the fuel pump to the carburetor, may be made of materials other than those listed. This line is usually supplied with the engine." the rules also talk about min. wall thickness of .029". i can't tell from the rules if this apply's to the pressure side or not. the brake line i used was .028???. yep. it was .029". thanks for the good tip. i had another thread going on about the same basic problem. was told to make my own there too. yep. that's the ticket it seems.......

 

[Don S]

Re: fuel hose

Copper should not be used on the engine. Only steel or approved fuel lines and hose combinations.<br />The thing about using copper tubing was taken out of context. The section 183.538 stated by seahorse in an earlier reply was not meant for the fuel line between the fuel pump and carb.<br />Here's a copy & past of that regulation. It says something completely different when ALL of the information is there.<br /> CFR 33 part 183 <br /><br /><br />[Code of Federal Regulations]<br />[Title 33, Volume 2, Parts 125 to 199]<br />[Revised as of July 1, 1999]<br />From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access<br />[CITE: 33CFR183.538]<br /><br />[Page 772]<br /> <br /> NAVIGABLE WATERS<br /> <br /> CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)<br /> <br />PART 183--BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents<br /> <br /> Subpart J--Fuel Systems<br /> <br />Sec. 183.538 Metallic fuel line materials.<br /><br /> Each metallic fuel line connecting the fuel tank with the fuel inlet <br />connection on the engine must:<br /> (a) Be made of seamless annealed copper, nickel copper, or copper-<br />nickel; and<br /> (b) Except for corrugated flexible fuel line, have a minimum wall <br />thickness of 0.029 inches.

 

[Destin]

Re: fuel hose

The Coast Guard revised their Boatbuilders Handbook in 2003. You can download it from here.<br />Subpart J- Fuel Systems has the fuel line specifications.<br /><br /> http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/index.htm <br /><br />It is much improved, with lots of illustrations, and I think some of the regulations have changed slightly from the previous editions