Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Just got finished plumbing my Demon carb and regulator to my fuel line. The bends were VERY tight using my holley regulator and regulator bracket. I am curious what eveyone thinks of aluminum lines for the fuel lines to the carb. I couldn't get steel line to bend as tight as I needed. I used aluminum with compression fittings with flares on them. Then finished it off with AN fittings attached to the float bowls. I am a little leary of the compression fittings but seems like my wrench buddies think they will be just fine since I am using the ones with flares.....I am using braded stainless hose from the regualtor to the pump and USCG hose to the tank....Thoughts/suggestions anyone?

BH

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

I don't see a problem since you are only running around 10psi or so.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

10PSI!!!! no more like 5 psi....... :)

BH

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

You should be fine for those fuel requirements. Besides your fuel water separator will hold additional fuel for those longer runs.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Just so everyone is on the same page the fuel line from the pump to the carb or delivery device must be a steel line to meet all requirments by USCG and Ins. co. Seems as though lots of people including myself do or did in my case run steel braided line which might get you through a coastguard inspection if they do not know the full meaning of the way the rules were written or even have smarts to know what they are looking at.I to just bought a Demon carb and I am going to try cut and flair the steel fuel line that came from Merc. but I don't think I will have much luck doing a double flair which is stronger. If you used the aluminum and had it painted I don't think they would ever hold a magnet to it but if you are insured and there is a fire someone good might be able to prove that it was incorect then.Sorry sad but true. James

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

I understand the law the same way you do.....My main was to try and figure out if the aluminum line with compression fittings and flares would be as safe as the stainless.....

BH

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

I wouldn't worry about the aluminum holding the pressure... but I would sure as hell worry about vibration causing the line to crack at the fittings. I would also worry about any salt spray causing corrosion and then leaking... :eek:

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

The aluminum line is attached to a Holley regulator which is attached to the carb via a Jegs regulator bracket. The regulator is attached to the pump via braided stainless line. Pump to tank is USCG hose. Also no salt water here :) and motor is inclosed..

BH

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Your fine..

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Randy,

A) You're not legal B) and more importantly as soft as the aluminum line is just make sure to check it on a regular bassis as you do your other maintainence.

Hard Stainless Steel lines are the best way to do it, both for longevity, and legality.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Doug just picked up my mighty demon and it looks sweet.Was just wondering if you make anything that would or could help us out with this problem on marine use.or do you guys have the abilty to double flair a steel line if we provided it.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

183.538 Metallic fuel line materials

Each metallic fuel line connecting the fuel tank with the fuel inlet connection on the engine must:
a) be made of seamless annealed copper, nickel copper, or copper nickel; and
b) except for corrugated flexible fuel line, have a minimum wall thickness of 0.029 inches.

The article goes on to state:

If metal is used for any portion of the fuel line (except for fittings) from the tank connection to the engine connection (usually at the fuel pump), the metallic fuel line portions must be seamless, annealed:

1) copper;
2) Nickel copper (monel); or
3) Copper-nickel

No other metals are permitted.

Also, the thickness of the tubing wall must be at least 0.029 inches unless the fuel line portion is a corrugated or accordion type flexible fuel line. Tubing is available with thinner wall thicknesses, but they SHALL NOT be used.

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.



So, according to coast guard regs, he fuel line is actually legal. They simply are not addressing it. The reason is that it's probably covered under some ANSI regulation the the engine manufacturer would need to comply with.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Doug... What about BG part# 140055 3/8" Push-on Stainless Hard Line (What does "push-on" mean anyways? Does it not thread into the fuel bowls and fuel line from the pump?) If I could get a description or picture if possible. I also need to fit in my Holley regulator somewhere...

BH

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Here is my aluminum lines and routing....
BH

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

I dont know about alum fuel lines, I used alum on my valve spring oiler and the broke!, I went to stainless steel, no problems in over a year.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

I don't know about alum fuel lines, I tried to use alum on my valve spring oiler and the lines broke, so I used stainless steel and have had no problems, it been a year.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

583 I can hardly read their small print but it does read that way.The A1 line is rubber.It has been a long time since I took my Coast Guard test for engineer like the early eighties but at that time I do believe it had to be a steel line.I am looking for my old test book that I hope I still have. If that is the case then the only outher problem I see is if you cover the A1 line with stainless braid they will not be able to read that is aproved.Well if it matters I did find a shop in Lancaster NY that will make steel fuel lines if anyone cares.Classic Tube ph.#800-882-3711

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

583 was wondering the BG carb does not have a port for the diaphragm line off the pump and I know that it can be run to the flame arrestor but could it be run back to the fuel tank as I have a extra fitting there?

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

I gave up trying to decipher the USCG requirements on gas fuel lines ON THE ENGINE (ie, not from tank to engine). Yes, 183.540 says plainly that A1 rubber may be used on the engine (assuming A1 rubber would confrom to other sections). But, *supposedly* there are other USCG sections (about pressure testing/permeability, I think) that effectively eliminate A1 rubber from on the engine and relegate you to metal fuel lines.

Don't know for sure, but we need to get to the bottom of this mess once and for all (and archive the detials).

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Hell at this point I don't know if I want to know.I do know that it would make things a lot simpler for my new setup to run the A1 line and just carry a copy of what I read on the Coast Guard sight

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

Sorry about that. I missed this thread. You could use any of the following Hard Stainless lines we offer:
BG P/N 140055 For 3/8" Rubber Hose (USCG Legal hose)
BG P/N 140056 For 1/4" Npt so you can use an adapter to your line
BG P/N 140057 For 3/8" Inverted Flare if you already have 3/8" Flare fitting on your hard line.

Re: Need info/suggestions on Fuel Line
 

P/N 140055 threads into the float bowls, but has a 3/8" hose bard for a rubber hose to connect to the carburetor from the fuel pump.