Fuel lines

[dgrinnan]

I have a 1947 Dodge truck WC.  It currently has a new gas tank but no fuel lines anywhere between the tank and carburetor. What are you guys using for fuel lines?  None of the local parts store show metal fuel lines.  Do you have a source or are you using rubber hose fuel line.

Edited December 6, 2021 by dgrinnan

[Young Ed]

You should have metal lines except for a small piece right before the fuel pump to allow for engine movement. I'm surprised your local stores don't stock it. Usually there is a rack of steel and lately they have plastic coated steel or a copper nickel alloy that works really well. 

[Merle Coggins]

Ask for brake line. You can either buy the premade sticks and splice them together with couplers, or buy a roll of brake line and flare your own ends. If you do the "make your own" with a roll of tubing I recommend the copper/nickel tubing. It's easier to bend and work with. 

[dgrinnan]

I was wondering if I could use brake line.  Do you know if I can use the copper/nickel brake line? It is easier to work with. I am going to NAPA later today to pick up a fuel pump.  I will ask them.  They could have it even though I could not find it on their web page.  I couldn't find it on rockauto either. I wonder if it was because I was looking vehicle specific. 

[Merle Coggins]

3 minutes ago, dgrinnan said:

 Do you know if I can use the copper/nickel brake line?  

 

Yes

[dgrinnan]

Thanks.  If NAPA does not have what they call fuel line I will get some brake line. 

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

Buy a 25' roll of copper nickel (Cupra Nickel) 5/16" brake/fuel line.

NAPA has it or can order it.

Or order online.

Get a flaring tool and make a factory like lifetime fuel line.

A short approx 10" flex hose is used at the front end of the fuel line to fuel pump.

Pictures can be found of this fuel line maybe here and elsewhere online if searching enough or uding the shop manual possibly.

 

Edited December 6, 2021 by Dodgeb4ya

[billrigsby]

My local Napa does have pre-made lines in all different lengths and like @Dodgeb4ya mentioned, 25' rolls.

 

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

A 25' roll of steel 5/16". About $32.00 

I use steel line...Copper Nickel more $

[dgrinnan]

DCM also told me 5/16 inch line but the inlet and outlet from the fuel pump are 3/16.  The 3/16 is a very small diameter line.  It did not seem right. I did not buy the line.  I wanted to do more research.  Also, the new tank has a metal plug in the outlet that appears fairly large.  I am guessing I will need some sort of reducer?  

Edited December 7, 2021 by dgrinnan

[bkahler]

5/16" fuel line is correct.  You'll starve the motor of fuel if you use 3/16".  

[dgrinnan]

I figured out where my "disconnect" was and why nothing made since.  It is a 5/16 line but the flex line has a reduced size fitting going into the fuel pump.  1/8" fitting into the fuel pump and 5/16 fitting at the other end of the flex line.  1/8" fitting coming out of the fuel pump to the carburetor. 

[bkahler]

That all sounds correct.  The fittings are always smaller in diameter than the tubing.  Think of the tubing as a reservoir or buffer for the carburetor.  

[dgrinnan]

Does anyone have a pic of the underside of their truck and the path the fuel line takes from the tank to the fuel pump or a diagram from a manual.  I have a repair manual but it does not have a diagram or specs.  My truck did not have a fuel line and I have nothing to compare my new one to for install. 

  

[Young Ed]

I believe it makes a 90 pretty quickly after the tank to run along the frame. Goes to the front and then crosses the front cross member over to the fuel pump. Not 100% sure mine is original either but it works 

[kencombs]

Problem there with mixing two measurements. The 1/8 is a pipe size, the 5/16 is tube  sizing.   So, 1/8 pipe is way bigger than 1/8".

 

[bkahler]

8 minutes ago, kencombs said:

Problem there with mixing two measurements. The 1/8 is a pipe size, the 5/16 is tube  sizing.   So, 1/8 pipe is way bigger than 1/8".

 

Ah, I miss understood the original question.  Thanks for clarifying.

[billrigsby]

1 hour ago, kencombs said:

Problem there with mixing two measurements. The 1/8 is a pipe size, the 5/16 is tube  sizing.   So, 1/8 pipe is way bigger than 1/8".

 

 

 

And I think, may be wrong, both are close to 1/4" ID

 

 

[kencombs]

2 minutes ago, billrigsby said:

 

 

And I think, may be wrong, both are close to 1/4" ID

 

 

You may wrong, sometimes, but not this time. 

[47 dodge 1.5 ton]

Don’t waste your money on the pre-made tubing, most likely will not fit anywhere clean. Recommend purchasing a roll as suggested by dodge4ya, a double bevel kit, tube cutter, and tube bender if you can’t barrow one. 

[LMBoise]

Here are a few pics. 
The first is just off the fuel pump and where it curves behind the radiator. There should be two clips that secure the line by the radiator. The second is where it travels on top of the frame rail after it curves around the front. The third is where it drops off the top of the frame rail and travels under the frame rail by the spring shackles back to the tank. There should be a clip on the outside of the frame rail and along the bottom of the frame rail. I hope these help. I just finished this project myself. I may have one more pic I will attach if I can find it.  

[LMBoise]

Here is one last pic. I am not sure it helps, but is the last pic I have before the line connects to the tank m

[dgrinnan]

Thanks so much.  I am a visual learner and this helps a lot.