1967 corvette gas line question

[Timothy B.]

Will a vehicle pass inspection if the fuel line from the gas tank to pump is rubber. The job to correct is major surgery and I believe body off frame. It's not my car but one I know of.

Thanks for the input..

[Jack H.]

Re: 1967 corvette gas line question

I dunno about passing inspection, but I'd not want to drive a car with that setup. Sounds like a major accident waiting to happen.

You could always buy and cut a stock steel line to get it installed and then splice it with flare fittings.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 corvette gas line question

I dunno about passing inspection, but I'd not want to drive a car with that setup. Sounds like a major accident waiting to happen.

You could always buy and cut a stock steel line to get it installed and then splice it with flare fittings.

Jack and Tim------


Yes, that's how to do it. In fact, you can even just buy a pre-formed reproduction fuel line, cut it at the appropriate spot, and install tubing nuts and double flares on each of the cut ends. Then, use a brass coupling to join the two ends after each half is installed on the car. The exact same things works for the frame brake-line, too.

Attached is a photo of a frame brake line with coupling and, as I mentioned above, the exact same thing can be done for a frame fuel line.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 corvette gas line question

I don't think it will pass if detected during the inspection.

That being said, folks need to remember that even the original installation had 6-9 inch rubber hose connections at both the rear and front ends of the main metal fuel line.

The best you can probably get without lifting at least one side of the body is one splice in the metal line near the right trailing arm shim pack. The front section can be fed in to this point, and the rear section can be fed in through one of the right side tail light openings. (Obviously need to remove tail light to do this.) You then have to bend the two straight pieces a bit and install a 3/8 inch tubing union. I recommend a Parker or Swagelok straight or 90 degree tubing union connection.......they are essentially bullet-proof and are used routinely in the chemical plants for some pretty rough and/or high pressure stuff. McMaster-Carr or someone similar should have them available. If installed properly, they never leak.....even at thousands of pounds pressure. The line will fail first. And the fuel line probably runs under a slight vacuum.

Larry

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1967 corvette gas line question

I would be very careful driving a car with a rubber main fuel line and will check locally for MD state inspection information. What a half ass fix, for safety sake the union with two piece steel line is a no brainer..

I slightly remember installing full length fuel line in my 63 frame when the body was up. I would never take a chance on rubber..