Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-12-2013, 07:45 AM   #1
racer32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 149
Default Fuel line size ?

Working on a late '31 with a Tillotson (if it matters). My fuel lines are a cobbled-together mess of mismatched pipe, AN, and brass fittings (former owner was an airplane guy). I plan to straighten out the mess, but in the meantime I have a few questions:

Will 1/4" tube be adequate to run the car at speed? If not, will it work for stationary testing?

Will an aftermarket fuel bowl that has 1/8" pipe threads in and out restrict fuel flow?

What size fittings work in the fuel shut-off and carb?
racer32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 08:50 AM   #2
steve s
Senior Member
 
steve s's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 1,656
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

The repro fuel line I bought from one of the suppliers is 1/4" OD. I expect it would work fine (haven't used mine yet). Sorry, can't help wit the other measurements, off hand.

Steve
steve s is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-12-2013, 10:07 AM   #3
Jim Brierley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,066
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

a 1/4" line will work just fine, go for it!
Jim Brierley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 10:15 AM   #4
Tiny
Senior Member
 
Tiny's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Redding Cal
Posts: 1,388
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

1/4" steel line as the others have said. Available at any local parts place. You'll need about 2.5' but buy 3' so you have some extra. DON'T use copper unless you have a good fire extiguisher.
Tiny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 03:03 PM   #5
racer32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 149
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

What about the carb and fuel outlet?? NOTHING at the hardware store seems to fit those threads. are they 5/16 flare?
racer32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 04:06 PM   #6
Tiny
Senior Member
 
Tiny's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Redding Cal
Posts: 1,388
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Not sure about the thread pattern or size. You use a brass 1/4" compression ferrel and the brass fitting. It could be flare thread. Im not sure. Was it missing the old ones?
Heres what you need:
http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3892
Tiny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 11:18 PM   #7
racer32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 149
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiny View Post
Not sure about the thread pattern or size. You use a brass 1/4" compression ferrel and the brass fitting. It could be flare thread. Im not sure. Was it missing the old ones?
Heres what you need:
http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3892
My car doesn't have those fittings.
racer32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 05:05 PM   #8
jimvette59
Senior Member
 
jimvette59's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perry OH
Posts: 1,327
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

The thread is 1/2 X 20 tpi it is a special fitting you can get from any model A parts supplier. You can also order the correct fuel lines. JMO.
jimvette59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 05:09 PM   #9
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

The fuel line should not be flaired. The fitting threads are 1/2 X 20 . Ferrules are used with the fittings as Tiny says above.
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 10:27 PM   #10
racer32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 149
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft View Post
The fuel line should not be flaired. The fitting threads are 1/2 X 20 . Ferrules are used with the fittings as Tiny says above.
OK, so the fuel lines themselves use compression fittings, then? Were the lines originally 5/16"? 5/16" compression fittings have 1/2" x 20tpi straight threads. I'm REALLY concerned about squeezing a brass ferrule inside that potmetal Tillotson!!! There was a steel flare to 1/8" pipe nipple in the carb end of the mess that was in there when I got the car.

FWIW, thread size for 5/16" flare is 1/2"x 20tpi, too...might explain prior owner's use of flared male to 1/8" pipe adapter in the fuel shut-off

Snyder's has a kit for late 31's without side-bowl carb...I know that should work, but I don't like the glass bowl hangs from the lines in their illustration. I also can't drive to their store and look at it before I buy.

Last edited by racer32; 09-12-2013 at 11:00 PM.
racer32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 05:11 PM   #11
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

Sorry, I'm a little slow. Got a phone call when I was in the middle of my post
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2013, 11:26 PM   #12
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Fuel line size ?

The same fuel line and fittings fit both Tillotson, Zenith and all of the other upodraft carbs made for the model A that I know of. The same fittings and ferrules also work with glass bowl sediment bowl , cast iron sediment bulb and the cast side bowl used with the 1931 models. I've used steel brake lines from local parts houses as well as copper tubing with never a problem. Problems with copper tubing is highly over rated.
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:08 PM.