Fuel hose size

[Andrew1967]

Had a search on here but couldn't find this information ...

What is the correct length of the rubber fuel hose from the tank to the SU pump on a single tank car ?

Managed to find some allegedly E10 complaint hose on eBay, make is Codan, plain (non braided). Rescued some zinc coated copper braiding from the sparkies scrap bin at work (some armoured cable has this braiding under the rubber outer coating). Have some rubber end caps to finish off. The zinc coated braid looks more original than the stainless.

Tip for cutting braided hose without it fraying.

1 - Measure desired length
2 - wrap 1" mask tape round and mark length (in middle of tape).
3 - Cut with 1mm slitting disc.
4 - Leave tape on which will help keep strands together.
5 - Stretch cap over the end (tape will not show) .. job done.

[Andrew1967]

Title amended ...

What size ID hose goes on the tank to pump and pump to main line ?

I've got some 1/4 ID (not 6mm) and its bloody tight - too tight to fit. I'm think 8mm (5/16 ?) might be better but have concerns on using it from the pump to the main pipe as the pipe is 1/4.

What do you use ?

[timmy201]

On my car:
Tank outlet is 5/16
Twin tank link pipe is 5/16
Pump inlet is 5/16
Pump outlet 1/4
Main hardline is 1/4

For the tank link pipe to pump I used 5/16 (7.9mm) Gates barricade fuel injection hose as the 5/16 at the local shops was all a bit loose. For the pump to hard line I used 6mm (not 1/4) as it was a nicer fit

For some reason though, all mini shops sell 1/4 for the length from the link pipe to the pump - thats despite the shops I rang who measured the link pipe and pump to be 5/16 just like mine...

[IslandBlue]

Definitely don't try and use 1/4 hose to 5/16 pipe, I once made this mistake and rubber shavings from the inside of the hose clogged the pump. Still, I learned all about how to dismantle and reassemble the pump so every cloud....

[Andrew1967]

Thanks for the replies thus far

I tried to stretch the hose onto an old pump and could see that could be an issue with rubber swarf.

One problem is that the hole that the hose passes though in the boot floor is not big enough to take a 5/16" braided hose so I think it'll have to be a 8mm cotton braid, like this... but even then its marginal whether it will fit. The boot floor is a mid 80's Austin Rover item so I wonder if the hole size was reduced when braided hoses were no longer used ??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cotton-Braid ... Swgs1fMpD6

Was wondering if a 7 or 7.5 mm hose would be OK for tank to pump as I think it will seal better on the pump to main pipe side.

I guess I could buy a metre of each but if I could get a definitive answer, would be great

[Spider]

is not big enough to take a 5/16" braided hose so I think it'll have to be a 8mm cotton braid,

I'm sure you are aware, but just be careful buying any Braided hose these days. This is some that were a month old when I removed them again



When I replaced them - again - I used the same Gates hose I have been using for a few years (and I know is fine) and slipped these covers and ends on to them.

[Andrew1967]

That’s exactly what I’ll be doing with the 1/4 hoses Chris, that I have some compliant hose for.

It’s the 5/16 that I have an issue with. It’s trying to find a suitable hose with a small enough OD to pass through this boot floor hole. I can’t open it up as it’s the one that is pressed with a lip on it.

[rogerotto66s]

Timely topic. I need to bring this topic back to life.

When I replaced them - again - I used the same Gates hose I have been using for a few years (and I know is fine) and slipped these covers and ends on to them.

I was able to use WD40 to easily remove the steel braiding.
I purchased Gates Barricade 5/16” hose but the OD is too large to slide on the steel braiding from the old hose.
How did you accomplish this?

[rogerotto66s]

It’s the 5/16 that I have an issue with. It’s trying to find a suitable hose with a small enough OD to pass through this boot floor hole. I can’t open it up as it’s the one that is pressed with a lip on it.

What was your final resolution for going through the boot hole?
Do you recall the length of this hose?

[Andrew1967]

In the end I had to open up the hole with a hole cutter and recreate the belled over lip to the correct size.

I did use 1/4” hose with braid and a sleeve as per original to start with but had all sorts problems with fuel getting through so went with a standard non braid 5/16” E10 fuel compliant hose. The 1/4 hose was also a pig to get on the tank spout and a bit tight on the pump too.

I might try to sort out a braided hose at some point .

Can’t remember the length .. will see if I can find the 1/4 hose I originally made and measure that.

The hoses I used were true imperial sized (6.4mm for 1/4 and not metric equivalent for 5/16 (can’t remember exact size off top of head)).

[rogerotto66s]

Trying to replace old 5/16” rubber hose (30R6) with Gates 5/16” Barricade hose (J30R14T1).
I used WD40 to remove the steel braiding from the old hose.
I can not slip it onto the new Gates hose. Seems the OD is slightly larger.
Is it possible to “stretch” the steel braiding?

[Peter Laidler]

You can get new braided wire wrapping in the UK by buying a pre-made length of flexible bathroom/kitchen tap-to-pipe extension.

Just cut the threaded crimped on ends off and push the braided covering towards the centre. This loosens it, then just push off and there's a length of the braided covering ready to use. If it's slightly under or oversize for what you want, just bring it down or up by pulling it outwards a tad to decrease the diameter or push the ends towards each other to increase the diameter. Simple!

It's stainless so might not be to everyones taste. Certainly good enough for me though - and cheap too!

[rogerotto66s]

I found a spare braided water line and cut the ends off.
Not sure what the tubing material is but it is not rubber.
I was unable to remove the braiding.
So... on to the next option!

I just purchased 4-6 feet of braided hose sleeving.
Should arrive later this week.
I will provide an update at that time.

The sleeving should easily fit the Gates Barricade 1/4” and 5/16” hoses (inside diameter).
Their outside diameters are 9/16” and 5/8” (slightly larger than normal hose).

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[Peter Laidler]

Even better Roger. Saves cutting up new or even used armoured/protected water pipe. Superglue around the cut ends prevents it fraying.

[rogerotto66s]

I was able to slip existing braiding off an old hose and slip it onto my new Gates 5/16” hose.
Need to rely on Chinese finger trap strategy (push toward center)!

The toughest part was putting the rubber end cap on.

I used a c-clip / snap ring tool to stretch the rubber cap and then work on using a small screw driver.
Wrapping end with electrical tape might also help.

69886304-2AF7-4A0C-8DF7-01A2DADABD66.jpeg

FF465D50-3DF2-4655-A6CC-BFD45A67506C.jpeg

[AndyPen]

I see that steel braided compliant pipe is now available. Has a orange marker in the braid to identify it.

https://www.minispares.com/product/Clas ... o%20search

[Peter Laidler]

It's simplicity itself to take the braiding OFF a cheap extension bathroom water pipe (£3.49 for a 14" length from B&Q) and push it over a length of current spec compliant fuel hose. End caps available from the usual sources - or use your old ones