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MG MGA - Fuel line

My old steel line is toast, and I inherited a MGB fuel pump (different connections, so the stock lines need modifying). I was thinking of reconstructing it all in 5/16 OD copper. All the old solder fitting will work. Any comments steel vs copper?
Art Pearse

The fuel line I got from Moss years ago was copper. You should have no problem at 2-3# pressure. I would not use it at high pressure like in a fuel injected car.

Alternatively you could pick up some 5/16 brake line at the local parts store. It is steel (most of them). That is what I am using on another car I am building. It has FI so the copper was out for me.
Chuck Schaefer

Art, my opinion is not to use solid copper pipes for the brake lines. Copper is a soft metal and might not withstand the extreme pressure when applying the brakes very hard. I always use copper coated STEEL pipes for both brakes and cluth systems.

Frank
F Camilleri

Thanks. I wasn't going to use it for brakes or clutch. just fuel.
Art Pearse

Sorry Art, I was thinking of brake lines. My mistake. Yes I would go for copper lines for fuel. The fuel pressure is minimal compared to hydraulic pressure. You won't get rust on copper pipes as you would on steel. Copper fuel pipes will last much longer.

Frank
F Camilleri

Copper work hardens and becomes brittle. That is why it is a no no for brakes. It is good for fuel lines as the pressure is too low to affect it.
R J Brown

The "copper" brake lines are actually a special alloy that doesn't rust or work harden, so they can be used without worry. Add silicon fluid and a bleed every few years and you have a brake system that will last for decades.
dominic clancy

Cupro Nickel has a slightly silvery colour and is nearly as easy to bend as copper. Alternative is stainless-steel which Tod Clarke can supply. I decided against stainless becuase its much harder to bend and also because it will make other steel around it rust more rapidly. Modern cars have a minimum of stainless steel in trim because of this problem.

John
John Francis

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2010 and 09/08/2010

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