Fuel line fitting - tube wobbles

[Ziggster]

Tightened up the new fuel line fittings at the carb and fuel pump/filter. Noticed that even with the nut fairly tight, the tube will “wobble” if I push/pull. It won’t move in/out from fitting. Just wondering if this is normal. Don’t want any leaks on first startup.

[Kube]

The line should be tight. No "push / pull".

[Brian]

Are you using the correct sized ferrels/olives?

[Ziggster]

Originally Posted by Kube

The line should be tight. No "push / pull".

I should clarify. Line does not move in/out from the nut. It moves up/down and side to side.

[Ziggster]

Originally Posted by Brian

Are you using the correct sized ferrels/olives?

I didn’t use any ferrules. I thought these fittings were similar to the vacuum fittings. Bought them new so long ago, can’t remember if they came with ferrules.

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by Ziggster

I didn’t use any ferrules. I thought these fittings were similar to the vacuum fittings. Bought them new so long ago, can’t remember if they came with ferrules.

The lines required the "barrel" ferrules. Ford had actually soldered them to the lines to prevent leakage.
You will never get the proper seal with the fittings you had used.

[pistonbroke]

What I have found with these fittings is , one, you need good copper tubing. Two if you have undone it multiple times you should push the line in about 1/8" cut off the excess and tighten it back in. When using afresh fitting thread it in with your fingers , push the tubing in as far as it will go and hold it in while tightening the fitting with a wrench . Tim

[Ziggster]

Originally Posted by Kube

The lines required the "barrel" ferrules. Ford had actually soldered them to the lines to prevent leakage.
You will never get the proper seal with the fittings you had used.

Interesting. I bought the fuel line from the pump to the carb from 3rd Gen. again, it was so long ago, can’t remember if it came with ferrules, but I’m not using it. I’m just using regular copper line IIRC, but I might have bought a small roll of fuel line from 3rd Gen. will need to go back and see what exactly I purchased and when and from who.

[Ziggster]

Just thought that maybe the ferrules are inside the fittings. Maybe I pushed them out into the carb/filter housings. Not home now, but will check tonight when I get home. lol!

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Ziggster

Just thought that maybe the ferrules are inside the fittings. Maybe I pushed them out into the carb/filter housings. Not home now, but will check tonight when I get home. lol!

Two things, the correct fitting include both the brass threaded fitting AND a ferrule.
Second thing... copper fuel lines are never a good idea. There's a reason they are illegal.

[Ziggster]

I checked my build thread, and I did purchase the correct fuel line from Roy before he sold it to 3rd Gen, so fuel line is good to go. Just need to niw find the ferrules.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Ziggster

I checked my build thread, and I did purchase the correct fuel line from Roy before he sold it to 3rd Gen, so fuel line is good to go. Just need to niw find the ferrules.

If you got it from Roy, it is copper plated steel as original. The fittings and ferules should be easy to locate.
I have them if you can't source them locally.

[1952henry]

Weatherhead 59x4. Napa should have them. I got a few NOS pieces from Uncle Max, iirc.

[Ziggster]

Thanks to all who responded. I feel like such an idiot. Was out of town yesterday pretty much all day, so decided to check my stash of parts this morning. Lo and behold, I found some used fuel fittings and ferrules I got from Charlie, NY, as well as some new ones from Mike at 3rd Gen. I went through this stash (all in Ziploc bags) a few times the last several days looking for other parts, and swear I never saw the bag with these fittings and ferrules. Will be adding the ferrules later this morning.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Ziggster

Thanks to all who responded. I feel like such an idiot. Was out of town yesterday pretty much all day, so decided to check my stash of parts this morning. Lo and behold, I found some used fuel fittings and ferrules I got from Charlie, NY, as well as some new ones from Mike at 3rd Gen. I went through this stash (all in Ziploc bags) a few times the last several days looking for other parts, and swear I never saw the bag with these fittings and ferrules. Will be adding the ferrules later this morning.

Don't feel bad. I'll bet there isn't one soul among us that hasn't looked at the same thing more than once and yet not spotted what we were looking for. Glad ya got this one behind you...

[Ziggster]

Removed old line and it had the ferrules. One of the ferrules going into the pump was right at the edge of the tube. So, decided to start “tweaking” the tube, and buggered it up to the point where it no longer aligned with the carb and pump. Was also getting buggered on the bends and surface finish where the ferrules would sit. Decided to make a new tube, and use the new nuts/ferrules from 3rd Gen. installed the new line and it’s tight. No “wobbles”. Then realized the line going from my makeshift gas tank to the pump/filter was made from some copper line. The connection on that line to the pump/filter is still loose. Will replace that line with what I have left if the line from Roy. What a cluster!

[Ziggster]

This might explain the “wobble” at the fuel pump. Ferrule was sitting past the edge of the tube.

[Ziggster]

Went ahead and made a new fuel line from the fuel tank to the pump. No issues. Hopefully, this is it. Learned a lot. Thanks again to everyone who chimed in.

[petehoovie]

Ziggster! Rube Goldberg would be so proud of you!

[Ziggster]

Haha! I can relate as a mech Eng.