17 replies to this topic

[WanaGo]

Hey all,

 

Just wondering, does anyone know of a crox / swaging tool for putting the bubble in hard fuel lines, for then attaching a rubber fuel line?

 

I have them for larger copper pipes, but nothing for 1/4" fuel lines for on a 78 mini 998...

 

I have single flare brake tool, which could work at a pinch, but I dont imagine that will do a great job and make it quite tricky to insert into the rubber line.

 

Anyone know of a tool and have a link?

Only need cheap and cheerful, dont need anything expensive.

 

Picture of the type of thing I am trying to achieve.

 

Thanks

Attached Files

•  fuel-line.jpg   14.04K   0 downloads

[weef]

As opposed to a swage get some suitable brass pipe olives an solder them onto your fuel line.

[Lplus]

Wrap thin copper wire round the tube, apply solder, file off the bumps and rough parts.

[Homersimpson]

How much fuel pressure are you running on the car?  I've never had any issue with a straight pipe with a rubber hose pushed on it with a good jubilee clip even on cars running fuel injection (albeit not Minis).

[Magneto]

There are tools that will do this job, but I've never seen any that were cheap and cheerful - all the ones I've seen are pretty spendy - on the order of $300 or so. I also don't have any problems just putting it on a straight line with a proper sized clamp. We're only talking about 3-4psi of fuel pressure in these lines unless you're talking about for an SPi or MPi

[Spider]

Plain pipe ends, rubber hose and decent clips are good for 30 + PSI. I've seen them hold on, no problem to 80 PSI, though, not as high as I'd recommned.

I think you're putting yourself through a lot of agony for no gain here.

[stuart bowes]

I was going to say having made my share of water rockets in my time (the kids love them) you can easily go to at least 60psi on a piece of straight tube and a jubilee clip in my experience

 

also, surely if you've got a mechanical pump it's even less of an issue, isn't most of the line using suction, not positive pressure ?  except that last little piece from pump to carb

[WanaGo]

Yep all fair points. The only reason I asked really is because the fuel tank end has a little bulb/swage on it, as does the fuel pump, fuel filters, carb and all that stuff. They all have them, so hence I thought it would be common practice to put them on the hard lines too, rather than just a straight pipe.

But yes, no cheap tools that I have found as of yet, and as mentioned above, its low pressure or no pressure, so likely wont be an issue at all.

 

Thanks all for the input

[bikewiz]

I have the Graham beading tool it's pricey but it does a beautiful bead. I find the fuel lines last longer because you don't need to tighten the clamps so much.

https://www.grahamto...be-beading-tool

 beadedpipe.jpg   26.5K   0 downloads

[68+86auto]

I have the Graham beading tool it's pricey but it does a beautiful bead. I find the fuel lines last longer because you don't need to tighten the clamps so much.

https://www.grahamto...be-beading-tool

beadedpipe.jpg

 

With the correct type of clamps I haven't seen any issues of hoses not lasting. Cheap and unsuitable hose clamps just destroy hoses.

 

Example of a suitable clamp:

 

 

It also needs to be the correct size clamp. Too many people use those cheap hardware store slotted worm clamps and are usually too large so they have the incorrect shape for the hose. The worm part is too large to go small enough whilst remaining a circle. This is the worst type of clamp: 

 

 

I am not saying you are wrong or anything, I am just trying to point this out to anyone who doesn't realise.

Edited by 68+86auto, 15 February 2024 - 12:24 AM.

[bikewiz]

 

I have the Graham beading tool it's pricey but it does a beautiful bead. I find the fuel lines last longer because you don't need to tighten the clamps so much.

https://www.grahamto...be-beading-tool

beadedpipe.jpg

 

With the correct type of clamps I haven't seen any issues of hoses not lasting. Cheap and unsuitable hose clamps just destroy hoses.

 

Example of a suitable clamp:

 

 

It also needs to be the correct size clamp. Too many people use those cheap hardware store slotted worm clamps and are usually too large so they have the incorrect shape for the hose. The worm part is too large to go small enough whilst remaining a circle. This is the worst type of clamp: 

 

 

I am not saying you are wrong or anything, I am just trying to point this out to anyone who doesn't realise.

 

I use the type you state as suitable, however regardless of the type of clamp you use with a smooth pipe you still need to tighten it more than if the pipe is beaded. 

[Steam]

Look into injection hose and clamps. They seem to be the best.

[Spider]

This :-
 

With the correct type of clamps I haven't seen any issues of hoses not lasting. Cheap and unsuitable hose clamps just destroy hoses.

 

Example of a suitable clamp:

 

 

It also needs to be the correct size clamp. Too many people use those cheap hardware store slotted worm clamps and are usually too large so they have the incorrect shape for the hose. The worm part is too large to go small enough whilst remaining a circle. This is the worst type of clamp: 

 

 

I am not saying you are wrong or anything, I am just trying to point this out to anyone who doesn't realise.

 

 

Spot on.

The Clamps I use are very similar to your first ones, though the edges are also slightly rolled / flared. I * think * I get them from Wurth.

 

The last type you have here while some sell them as hose clamps from my experience, they are slow hose cutters. Very nasty.

[mbolt998]

Plain pipe ends, rubber hose and decent clips are good for 30 + PSI. I've seen them hold on, no problem to 80 PSI, though, not as high as I'd recommned.

I think you're putting yourself through a lot of agony for no gain here.

Many of mine just have zip ties . They don't seem to be leaking. The pressure from the mechanical fuel pump is pretty pathetic.

[Homersimpson]

 

I have the Graham beading tool it's pricey but it does a beautiful bead. I find the fuel lines last longer because you don't need to tighten the clamps so much.

https://www.grahamto...be-beading-tool

beadedpipe.jpg

 

With the correct type of clamps I haven't seen any issues of hoses not lasting. Cheap and unsuitable hose clamps just destroy hoses.

 

Example of a suitable clamp:

 

 

It also needs to be the correct size clamp. Too many people use those cheap hardware store slotted worm clamps and are usually too large so they have the incorrect shape for the hose. The worm part is too large to go small enough whilst remaining a circle. This is the worst type of clamp: 

 

 

I am not saying you are wrong or anything, I am just trying to point this out to anyone who doesn't realise.

 

Indeed, I have a whole tub full of the cheap ones pictures above which I have kept only for emergencies but everytime I use one it tends to fail  before its properly tight.  I really should chuck them but I keep thinking that one day they might be useful!