[lucky1]

Is it safe to use ferrules with aluminum fuel line as opposed to flares for cars with a carb ?

Tks.

[steve25]

First off how long is the length of fuel line where talking about?

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by steve25

First off how long is the length of fuel line where talking about?

Less than a foot. Inside the engine compartment.

[Dick Boneske]

All fuel lines I've seen are double flared, aluminum or steel. The '60's Pontiacs were built with aluminum fuel lines from the pump to the AFB carb and on Tri-Powers between the carbs. Some were steel from California.

[carbking]

Over the decades, fuel lines have been made at least from, in alphabetic order: aluminum, brass, copper, and steel.

Not saying it has never happened, but I have personally never seen ferrules used on aluminum.

I would not wish to do so.

Jon.

[64speed]

They make ferrules for aluminum fuel line. I’m using them

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by 64speed

They make ferrules for aluminum fuel line. I’m using them

What are they made of ?

[Schurkey]

Aluminum tubing--like copper--is prone to work-hardening leading to metal fatigue, leaks, and fire.

NOT recommended. This is why double-wall seamless steel tubing became nearly-universal.

If you insist, at least make sure it cannot vibrate or rub on anything else except SECURE cushion-clamps and of course the threaded ends.

[64speed]

Brass

[lucky1]

Are they different than other brass ferrules ?

['ol Pinion head]

Agree with Schurkey on alum main fuel lines, have ran across more than one example of split Moroso alum fuel line. Another instance that the main 1/2" line was chafed & fuel spraying through a pin hole leak. As a 23 y/o, my only big block powered bracket car, a 468 Chevelle, was picked up dirt cheap thanks to poorly routed alum fuel line/engine fire.

[64speed]

No I just contacted edelbrock and asked them if the Russell brand an fitting compression fittings were ok with aluminum

[61-63]

I'm not understanding why anyone would even use ferrules instead of double flare? The '61-'63 Super Duty dual quad setups used 3/8" aluminum fuel lines from above the fuel pump/fuel filter to the carbs with double flares, I've bent/flared hundreds of them, and never one problem that I am aware of?

[mgarblik]

Double flare lines are industry standard, and leak free if made properly. Can you use ferrules and compression fittings? Sure. Will they leak and cause a fire? If installed properly, not likely. We are talking low pressure so why would they? They don't look the best and have many more places where a crack could form and could leak. I have had a car come into my shop with vacuum hose shoved over rusted out brake lines in several places and worm screw clamps holding it together! The customer said the brake pedal was mushy. People can do all kinds of things, the manufacturer does things a certain way for a reason.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by lucky1

Is it safe to use ferrules with aluminum fuel line as opposed to flares for cars with a carb ?

Tks.

Not in my opinion. As stated previously, aluminum work hardens and fails. And causes cars to burn down. But, your car, your choice.

[Formulas]

Look up the definition for work hardening
It's like the term bearing wash thrown around with authority useless terminology or missused

[dataway]

I wish I could have back the time I've spent converting various compression fitting systems with flare fittings. Not a fan of compression fittings except on something you never plan on disassembling.
Flares are simple to do, simple to diagnose and will come apart and go back together leak free many times.
I know on residential HVAC copper fuel line there must be vibration damping loops at the pump to prevent work hardening.

[HWYSTR455]

I've used aluminum fuel line since the 80s, never had a failure. I've used aluminum fuel line with compression fittings, sleeve & tube nuts, on both carb and EFI, never a failure, long-term too.

As pointed out, when done properly, it is totally acceptable.

Newer fuel lines are not pure aluminum, it's an alloy, and is compatible with today's fuel additives. So it's important to use aluminum line that is rated for fuel. Think about some of the early aluminum carbs, what's the biggest issue with them? Porosity. Now there are alloys that don't have that problem. And the alloys last much longer.

Same problem with some rubber and even AN lines, additives eat them up, until they 'fixed' that issue. Took time for all the old stock to get rotated out, but it's good now.

Steel fuel lines back in the day were used due to the poor quality of roads, and off-road situations. Remember all the motor trend tests where they are on dirt and gravel roads, jumping cars? Not much of a problem these days. But if youre worried about impact damage, you can use stone guard in critic areas.

Shoot, these days OEs even use plastic fuel lines and fittings, and some are under 50-60 psi plus.

Totally acceptable to use aluminum fuel lines.

.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by dataway

I wish I could have back the time I've spent converting various compression fitting systems with flare fittings. Not a fan of compression fittings except on something you never plan on disassembling.
Flares are simple to do, simple to diagnose and will come apart and go back together leak free many times.
I know on residential HVAC copper fuel line there must be vibration damping loops at the pump to prevent work hardening.

There are times when a compression fitting has a purpose, for example, tight areas with limited access, where a flaring tool won't fit. Use quality line and fittings and you will be fine.


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