Copper fuel lines

You are absolutly right Curt, inverted flair on 35 Auburn. I should learn to keep my big mouth shut when I am relying on my memery.
CORDially Mike

Hi Guys, Different thickness metals might present different problems.
Heck if the tube is so thick it wont double bend then it should be strong enough for duty.
On the cracking problem, vertical or horizontal, it is something I have not encounterned on new stock. Maybe with a microscope the tube may crack at the fold end but there is no fluid there to concern.
I scanned this instruction chart. Try chamfering the tube end before bending it, that should relieve some stress.

I use 3500 psi 1/4 copper line for the brake lines. It is not possible to double flair that tubing. In my opinion it dosn't need it due to the wall thickness.
I have never had a problem with the garden varity 1/4 inch tubing cracking when double flairing it. Possibly the tubing you are using is of the wrong alloy.
I cannot find in the Auburn parts book pages 62 & 63 (carbreter & fuel pump) any reference to a part number for a comperssion fitting. It does make reference to the fitting and nut inverted flair for both the carburetor and fuel pump. What am I missing?

In my experiance copper can not be double flared without splitting. If any one does it, tell me how. If the parts books are looked at for L-29 and 35 Auburn you will find compression fittings for gas as Balinwire says.
CORDially Mike

More important than the annealing the flare ends is double flaring the copper flare.
If you are building fuel lines, use sleeves and compression fittings, much less prone to leaking volatile fumes at low pressure.
Generally, flares, brakes, compression fuel.
Compression fittings and 5/16 copper chromed lines look detailed in the engine compartment and are very flameproof.

Question,
What is the longest word in the English language?

---"Smiles"---

because there is a mile between the first and last letter.

Curt Schulze wrote: Fords had mechanical brakes up to 1938 or 39. You must be refering to hot rods.

When flairing the copper tubing be sure to aneal the flair it will seal much better. Copper tends to work harden. There is also 1/4 inch copper tubing available that is rated to 3200 psi for the brake lines.

Actually I was referring to the fuel lines not brake lines
Thanks for the info everybody, guess I'll replace with copper

FYI - replacing copper fuel and brake lines with steel or stainless have been in the past viewed as a safety improvement during Auburn judging. Like seat belts and turn signals. Nothing is deducted for Authenticity. If they are done well, nothing should be deducted for Condition.

Fords had mechanical brakes up to 1938 or 39. You must be refering to hot rods.

When flairing the copper tubing be sure to aneal the flair it will seal much better. Copper tends to work harden. There is also 1/4 inch copper tubing available that is rated to 3200 psi for the brake lines.

Steve: You can also fabricate steel lines and have them copper plated, if you want to keep it original-looking. Same with brake lines.

Mark

I know that they do make stainless lines for Ford A Models, so I was wondering about Auburns. I guess I'll replace them with copper, which is much easier to work but I've heard can get brittle
Thanks

The fuel lines on my '30 are copper

I'm pretty sure they were copper originally. If they were steel at all, they wouldn't have been stainless on these cars. Steel lines replacing copper wouldn't be a bad idea as a safety issue. You will have to bend them yourself in any case.

Were the original fuel lines on a 1931 Auburn copper or stainless steel? If stainless are they available or do they need to be fabricated?
Thanks