How does copper react to gasoline?
would brass be better/worse...or???
Or should I use stainless steel, or something else in the fuel system?
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| copper/brass/steel and gas??? https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28000 |
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| Author: | Rust collector [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | copper/brass/steel and gas??? |
How does copper react to gasoline? would brass be better/worse...or??? Or should I use stainless steel, or something else in the fuel system?
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| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: copper/brass/steel and gas??? |
Quote: How does copper react to gasoline?
I don't know the details, but I've always been taught that most ordinary coppers react chemically badly with gasoline, making it a poor choice for fuel hardlines.Quote: would brass be better
Yes. Brass is fuel-compatible.Quote: should I use stainless steel
You certainly can, if you want. Or ternecoated steel, or polymer-coated steel. What's the goal?It's claimed that Cunifer makes a good fuel line, but as I say, I don't have details of the copper/fuel incompatibility, so I can't assess the wisdom of using Cunifer. |
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| Author: | Rust collector [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:58 pm ] |
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Ok, the idea is to make a simple fuel rail, using a...uh...metal pipe, and T pieces, Just sliding the 6 T's on the pipe, and soldering where i want them. Then, I would drill the holes "thru" the T's into the pipe... It is just an idea...but I want to know what material I should start with. I guess you answered that, so thanks again! |
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| Author: | Sam Powell [ Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:24 am ] |
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I have some copper in my fuel system. I wonder what damage it is doing. I wonder if you could have your copper construction plated to deal with whatever problems the copper pesents. Sam |
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| Author: | Rust collector [ Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:56 pm ] |
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That would probably work, I just don't know what kind of plating you would use
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| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:14 pm ] |
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My understanding — which I admit is hazy and rudimentary — is that copper reacts with gasoline not to create corrosive or otherwise directly damaging compounds, but rather to make the fuel go sourer, sooner. *google google google* Ah, here we go. Yes, copper's a bad choice because it hastens the oxidation of gasoline into varnish and gum. |
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| Author: | Rust collector [ Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:03 pm ] |
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oh, ok... Thanks Dan! |
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| Author: | Sam Powell [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:45 am ] |
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OOPS! This bit is about a foot long. I, again, wonder if a short section like this has much influence. I guess the longer it sits there not flowing, the more impact it will have. I just used commonly available plumbing fittings. Sam |
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| Author: | Matt Cramer [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:03 am ] |
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For a few laughs, compare Dan's link to what the Fitch Fuel Catalyst claims to do. It appears that if there were enough catalyst in the Fitch thing to produce any reaction, the reaction you'd get would catalyze the fuel into turning into gum and varnish, not higher octane gas. And Fitch charges nearly $200 to accomplish what you could do by putting in a small length of copper fuel line for less than $10. 
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| Author: | MaxSafari [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:46 am ] |
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Hi,copper can work harden,brass is expensive.I used 316L stainless steel,one its easy to weld and two less corrosion when ethanol added to the fuel.Good luck with project. Max. |
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| Author: | KBB_of_TMC [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:54 pm ] |
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Copper does easily work harden and crack, so I'd not use it for fuel lines either. 5/16" steel brake line is easy to find and bend with the right tools and makes great fuel line. I prefer to buy straight sections rather than use a roll and try to straighten it. Our area (Norfolk,VA) converted to 100% gasohol a couple of years ago, and some of us have had lots of problems, so I started testing samples of gas from various stations. My tests show that in dry clean 10% gasohol copper does not get noticably attacked. In *wet* 10% gasohol, it can corrode and get nasty. I've kept copper in some samples now for 2 years with only slight tarnishing, in other samples, the copper tarnished heavily in hours. Unfortunately, some of our fuel is contaminated, and it badly corrodes copper, brass, aluminum, and steel. One sample of the contaminated fuel appear cloudy and puddles of water settle out when the sample is chilled. It did extensive damage to my tank, fuel sender, fuel lines, fuel pump, and carb in several cars. My Carter AFB seemed to suffer much more than my Holley 2300 2bbl. The problems seems less severe now, as I suppose much of the water has finially been flushed out of their storage tanks. Also, gasohol doesn't seem to age gracefully (possibly due to absorbing water from the air?), and can give problems to if more than a few months old. I've not had much luck finding an easy way to dry out gasohol; the best I've done is to use a 50-50 mix of isopropyl and acetone to try to flush the junk out. |
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