NTBA

Really cool looking
BRAIDED STAINLESS STEEL
Vacuum and Fuel Lines
on a
BUDGET

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If you ever wanted the beauty of genuine braided Stainless Steel lines but got scared away by the price, then this will make your day! The lines illustrated in the photo are genuine braided stainless steel... but they were made from water coupling hoses found at any hardware store in the plumbing department. These coupling hoses come in a good variety of lengths and in 2 diameters. They also have a limited variety of threaded ends. Two of which may be used for automotive applications!!! In most applications you can use at least one of the original threaded couplers as illustrated in the photos. The other end can be cut to length, capped with tape, and tightened with a hose clamp. (as illustrated)

These lines are manufactured with a neoprene substrate and a 304 stainless steel braided jacket with chrome plated fittings. This makes them fuel resistant and capable of tollerating lots of heat. As far as fuel pressure goes, well... a typical water line has to be rated to withstand a continous 60 Lbs pressure. So I don't think that measily 7 pounds from a fuel pump will be of any concern!

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Observe in the photo, that the lines are coupled to the carb and distributor using the base of COMPRESSION FITTINGS only. I throw out the compression ring and nut. This an efficient way to take advantage of the original hose coupler. Notice that the distributor uses a 1/4" line and the carb uses a 3/8" line. You will also use the 3/8" line for the fuel pump to the carb.

There are many varieties of compression fittings available! So adapting these lines to your engine is reasonably simple.

NOTE: On the distributor advance I sort of "cheated" by JB WELDing the 1/4" compression fitting on. This works very well and doesn't damage the original nipple. The line on the carb was a little more difficult. I removed the original steel nipple then cut 1/4" NPT threads with a tap. Then threaded the fitting into the base. This was purely optional, as it was 112 degrees in the garage and this kept me out there for at least an additional hour or so...

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When looking for these water connection lines, be aware that there is some really cheap junk out there, as well as high quality. I have found that Ace Hardware carries the BEST quality (LASCO brand) and Home Depot had (by far) the worst. You will have to use your own good judgement. The only way you can cleanly cut these lines is with a cut-off wheel, any other method will result in a mess. I like to wrap tape around the line where I'll be cutting it. This helps keep the wire braid ends together and helps make a cleaner cut.

The line in the photo is a 3/8" x 3/8" x 24" long and was a whopping $5.29 and the fittings ranged from .79 to 1.49 each. So needless to say, this makes an inexpensive, great looking project!

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The end result is ever so IMPRESSIVE!!!