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MG MGB Technical - Main Fuel Line ...

Hi,
I have a 79 B that im converting to SU's, im buying a new gas tank and running a new main fuel line so I do not have any rust crap running through my fuel system. My question is: Anyone have experience with the Main Fuel line being sold by moss ? Does it come pre bent? At the price it is, I hope so! Anyone have any other experiences? Buying pipe and bending yourself? Diameter? Connecting to the rubber connections at both ends? Running a braided cable the full length? Price, etc etc etc... Any help would be much appreciated...

Thank You,
James
James

Oh this goes for running new brake lines as well ...
James

Hi james.

Use copper alloy lines. They bend easily with fingers. You can get a bending tool quite cheaply for a neat job.
The kits are usually supplied partially bent and then coiled to fit in the box.

Pure copper pipe will work harden with vibration and may fatigue and break where it is not fully secured.
Martin Layton

Thanks Martin,
Do you know any place to buy from? Size? Or just go though moss?
James

I see a lot of our British cousins advocate the use of copper alloy lines for brakes and fuel. I'm not familiar with that product, it's not common over on this side of the pond. I personally like to use steel for these lines, can't get away from using the strongest material for the job, and by the way the same material the factory did. Most any good industrial hydraulic shop should be able to furnish steel tubing in the size you need and even bend it to match your old line if you bring that in.
Bill Young

Bill,

the alloy is called kunifer and is a 90% copper 10% nickel mix, with upto 1.4% iron (for a 101.4% total!)

It is known as C70600, and now meets ASTM B466, SMMT C5B, ISO 4038, and SAE J1047 (I expect the SAE J1047 applies to the US)

This alloy's yield strength is still about 40% lower than steel brake lines, its fatigue strength is about 50% lower than steel brake lines, and it is about 30% more subject to elongation. It still has a burst strength way way above anything we can produce though.


The main property is corrosion resistance, very important over here! However, it does tend to corrode the plated steel fittings in preference to the pipe though.

I don't know why you don't see it in the US.


To answer James' original question, either buy a kit from Moss, or carefully remove all the pipes, and take them to a specialist for copies to be made.
You could even buy a roll of line, end fittings and a flaring tool, then make your own for about the same price as a kit. (Unless there are some regulations that prevent you making your own lines in the US)
Martin Layton

They are sold here, read the not by item 9 in this Moss plate.
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29034
Or check the note on page 57 of the Moss catalog. It's called cupro-nickel. That's what they shipped to me 5 years ago when I needed some rear pipes, the long pipes are coiled and you can bend them to the shape you need.

Clifton
Clifton Gordon


Hi James,

What kind of air filters and type SU carbs are you running on that B? My '80 LE is getting the SU conversion soon.

Dave
David Plantz

I have in the past posted everything you need to know about 90/10 lines and why you want them, but I can't find the links just now. It should all be in archives on this or the Magnette board.
Let's just say that they were first used in Scandinavia, where extensive testing has been done, and are OE on Volvo, Aston, Porsche etc. Strength is not an issue, until they corrode, and the 90/10 lines are the best for corrosion, better even than stainless. "about 30% more subject to elongation" gives the wrong impression. It really means that it will stretch more without breaking, or being about to break, and it's easier to bend. Not used in the US because US car makers cannot get it into their numbskulls that a couple of pence saved is not worth a life lost.
FRM
FR Millmore

I have the tapered K & N set, and HS4's that I bought on ebay from a guy named Jimmy Hilton who does great work. It has AAB Needles. Bought the filters and Carbs/manifold as a package.
James

This thread was discussed between 12/03/2007 and 14/03/2007

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