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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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Does anyone know off-hand what the fitting size/type is for the threaded fuel line fitting that goes into the OEM gas tank? I need to repalce the OEM fuel line and buying a pre-bent fuel line is pricey and the line seems pretty simple except for the fitting going to the tank. I'm looking at some of the tubing from Summit Racing or Russel, but my head is starting to spin when it comes to keeping track of the different flare angles (russel tube says 37 degree flare) and the converting between NPT fitting and -AN fittings. I can figure out if I know what I'm starting with and the fitting that seems to matter is the one going into the fuel tank. From there I can figure what adapers etc I need to get going and mate up with the new line. Of course after all the adapters and flaring tools probably would be close to the price of a pre-bent line from in-line tube. What is the stock fuel line diameter?...it seemed to be 1/4 inch but I was meauring with a tape measure...not the most accurate.
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By Frankenstein57 - 14 Years Ago
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Nate , on my 58 I bought a 25' roll of 3/8 tubing from autozone. It came with a protective coating and bends to shape pretty easy. For tight radius I used a small tubing bender. You can get one at the Chinese tool outlet cheap. As you remove the old tubing you'll see where the new one goes. At each end I connect to a nipple with a high quality rubber hose and clamps. Make sure the tank is clean or your troubles have just began.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
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Nate: You didn't state what your tank is, but the stock '55 tank has a 5/16" inverted flare connection.
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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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Thanks guys! Hoosier, my tank is a stock OEM tank (not sure how else to identify it) for a 56 customline. Knowing what it is for your 55 I can look at part numbers and see if they are the same tank. I'll have to look and see what an "inverted" flare is...do I need an inverted flare tool if I were going to try and duplicate that fitting? Can I even do that with some of the aluminum tube that frankenstien mentioned? The other Idea I had was to just use the OEM section of tube withe the fitting and be sure I clean it out, then juse use some rubber hose and hose clamp to hook it to my new tube. Frankenstien...my tank is brand new!! So it is clean clean clean!! 
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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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Ok...just had an "ah-ha" moment. Assuming I buy the correct size fuel line tubing (5/16" I think) I can just use the fitting from the existing OEM line...just cut the OEM line and slide off the factory fitting. Then slide it on the new tube and flare the new tube, 45 degrees..with a double flare tool! It'll be like new! right? Or will a normal 45 deg double flare tool not work on an "inverted flare" fitting? Ok...back to Wikipedia to read about what exactly is an "inverted" flare.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
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Nate: The double flare 45 degree is exactly what you need. I meant to type '56 in my previous post, the tube sizes are the same for both, 5/16". You can re-use your original nut as you stated.
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By PF Arcand - 14 Years Ago
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Nate: A note on "pre bent" gas lines. A buddy bought one for his 56 tudor sedan. He says they will only fit as original if you are doing a body off resto. So go with the coil method or use straights with fittings & bend as needed...
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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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Thanks guys! ...momentum is building! I see the light...I've got shopping list (and it isn't that expensive) and a clear path towards success. Assuming my brakes aren't terrible I could be driving this thing by the time the tulips are in bloom! 
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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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She is running with her own on-board fuel supply!! I finished the gas line this weekend, the aluminum 5/16 line from summit was great, very flexible I was able to snake it and bend it along the OEM fuel-line path. My harbor-freight double-flare tool was smooth! I also bought new 215/75 R15 tires, they're all mounted and ready to go on the car. Just need to bleed the brakes, bolt on the wheels and cautiously put her in first gear and let out the clutch!! I'd be at the garage right now if I could. I can't wait to drive her.....but I have to work to fund these things and can't afford vacation time. I'm amazed at how much of everything works on this car. It looks like it has been sitting in a barn for 40 years, but all the lights, gauges, and horn (such a cool horn!) all work!
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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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I noticed that there appears to be no fuel filter on the car. Does anyone add one? If so where and what type?
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By GREENBIRD56 - 14 Years Ago
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How is the fuel line routed to your carb? Is it a steel OEM set-up or has it been changed to rubber at some point? Many route the replacement rubber fuel lines up the driverside front of the engine and insert a fuel filter at the point where it turns toward the carb. You may be able to source the filter at the autoparts store, by getting one that has a sealed plastic shell with hose nipples molded to both ends that match your hose size. I would suggest avoiding the "glass" tube style of aftermarket strainer - many (myself included) have found them to eventually strip their potmetal threads and blow apart. Ugly situation. Also - does your fuel pump have the vacuum line attachments on the top of it? If so, those lines run both to the intake manifold and the vacuum wiper. Many of those old lines are a source of vacuum leaks.
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By Big6ft6 - 14 Years Ago
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Greenbird. Yes all the fuel lines are still OEM hardlines. There was some ruber grafted into the the main line from the tank to the pump, but not anymore as I have replaced it all with solid aluminum. I was thinking about between the pump and the carb...but I feel bad cutting up the factory steel line. Everything on my fuel system except the pump the the hard line from the pump the carb is new. And the pump, is newer, maybe in the last 10 years. Yes, my fuel pump has the vacuum generator for the wipers. I haven't tried to use them yet?? (one function I have tested!) But the car runs and idles and revs up pretty smoothly unloaded on the jack stands. It looks rough but has only 33k original miles.
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By GREENBIRD56 - 14 Years Ago
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Here are some photos of my set-up, and maybe the other guys can show you theirs as well. Obviously there are many ways to skin a cat. Since you are getting skilled with the double flaring tool, think about doing a whole set-up with hard line.... 
T-birds used a little piece of flat bar standing up off the first intake manifold bolt as a steady for the filter and hard line - it will help a number of ways when trying to do this.
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By glrbird - 14 Years Ago
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Nate Did you say it is hard line from the tank to the pump? You need some sort of flexable line from the tank line at the front of the car to the fuel pump. the engine will move on the mounts and will crack a solid line!
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