11 replies to this topic

[Pauly]

Hi all,

Might sound stupid but it copper brake pipe the same as copper fuel pipe? Anything special between the two? Also (forgotten now) but where minis fitted with copper fuel pipe as standard?

[Biteable]

Hi all,

Might sound stupid but it copper brake pipe the same as copper fuel pipe? Anything special between the two? Also (forgotten now) but where minis fitted with copper fuel pipe as standard?

The fuel line is a bigger diameter

[Pauly]

Is that the only difference? So if I went to local motor factors and got some 1/4" copper pipe it will be fine?

[Biteable]

I should think so. You need it about 96 inches long

But apparently it's not about the length ooer Misses

[lrostoke]

Our motor factor sold it in coils, so we brought a coil of it, enough for 3 minis we recon, which is fine we've got 4 between us

[MRA]

Some people sell pipe on the ID (internal diameter) and others on the OD (outside)

Brake pipe should have a 10,000psi burst pressure rating whilst your fuel line will be a lot lower..... 100psi maybe but certainly not a lot more than 100.

Also the smaller the ID the higher the pressure capacity.

[Pauly]

Always wondered why I stuggled to get copper fuel pipe.

[Turbo Nick]

i used microbore copper plumbing pipe for mine dude..

[Pauly]

Right, been thinking about this again, what size pipe should I run?

5/16" (8mm) or 1/4" (6mm)?

[dklawson]

Right, been thinking about this again, what size pipe should I run?

5/16" (8mm) or 1/4" (6mm)?

I'm confused on what you're using the copper for... fuel or brakes. However, based on 5/16 or 1/4 I assume you are asking about fuel line. On a street car you could use either 5/16 or 1/4. However, if you're installing everything new, consider using the larger size.

During the past week the topic of copper tubing came up on another board I frequent. In that thread a poster stated that regular copper line (plumbing copper) should never be used for fuel line because it can fatigue. I could see his argument if the line was attached to compression fittings at either end, but where the copper joins the pump and/or carb using rubber flex line I don't see fatigue as an issue. Brake lines however (as Martin said) are a different issue. Brakes line kits using copper are made from copper-nickle alloy which will have higher burst pressures and be suitable for use with compression fittings.

[Pauly]

Well im fitting my newly built 1310, im going to be running a facet fuel pump, filter king regulator and a 1 3/4" HIF44 su, so is it best to run 5/16 (8mm) to the fuel reg then 1/4" (6mm) to the carb (because the inlet for the carb is 1/4"), I was just worried about flooding but when I thought about it, the carb will only take what it needs wont it.

Edited by Pauly, 28 March 2010 - 04:32 PM.

[R1minimagic]

Copper or copper alloys (e.g. brass) are never used in modern fuel systems (e.g. fuel injection) as it leads to injector deposits and is a very active metal speeding up fuel decomposition. The same is true for zinc.