I was finally able to bend a good solid a solid fuel line. With the right tools and a workable line it was pretty easy. I ended up using a snap on flaring tool and bender with an 90 elbow from napa and 3/8 brake line from pep boy's.

I too like the braded ss lines but I have been told the coast graud and insurance companies like the solid metal lines.

My edelbrock carb has the fuel inlet on the same side as the shift/throttle linkage. It is a bad design on the part of edelbrock for everybody with a merc alpha is going to have the same problem that I had. You need a pretty tight series of bends to make the line work right.

The things that I tried that didn't work. Cheap flaring tools. The Snap on flaring tool will do double flares with no problems. Cheap tube benders. The same story. I tried brake lines from napa, checker, autozone and the pep boy's line worked the best for me. It was easier to bend and flare. On the stock fuel pump it is easier to buy an 90 elbow and replace the stock fitting than to try to bend a fuel line around all the hoses. It was 3 bucks well spent at napa. The company that sells fuel lines over the internet was not able to bend or flare correctly a fuel line and will not refund your money. They advertise a guantentee but they will not stand by their work.

I should come of no surprise that snap on tools make the job easier. The cheap tools make the job impossible. The line from pep boys gave me the nicest double flares. The elbow on the fuel pump makes the line easier to install and keeps the line close so that it doesn't interfear with the other hoses.

I hope this will help.

I bought a 6' peice of 3/8" SS tubing from McMasterCarr for some intake water lines. I made 2 lines tying the rear water jackets to the front jackets. Maybe 1 1/2 ft each. I had 1/2" left when done. You are right, gotta have the right to tool for the job. You are using double flared ends?

Also for future reference.........
If you are using any of the Earls, Aeroquip or such -AN fittings, these all use aircraft 37 degree flares, not the standard 45 deg flare you get from the regular store bought flaring tool. Just a heads up

I did double flares. The soft line from pep boy's and the snap on tool work well. The other lines were too stiff for a double flare.

I want to install steam lines and run the back holes to the front before the t-stat when I can.

My next project is to redesign my flush set up.