Hey guys I ordered up all the stuff I need to do my entire fuel system with the Earls perform-o-flex braided -6 line. I al just looking for some tips as of the correct way to cut and use these fittings. I heard you can cut it with a hacksaw but put masking tape around it, then when the cuts done wrap more masking tape around the end and put the fiting on. Is this correct? thanks

 

Wrap the end tightly with tape while you cut it with a sharp fine-toothed hacksaw. Clip any stray strands with a large pair of sharp diagonal cutters. Remove the tape and insert the hose into the sleeve of the fitting. If you have trouble getting it started, put a hose clamp on the end of the hose with about 1/16" sticking out and tighten it down just enough to compress the braid and get the sleeve started. Once the hose is fully inserted into the sleeve, mark the hose to make sure it doesn't slip out of the sleeve, and screw the fitting into the sleeve.

 

Scrap the Earls and get Aeroquip. Earl is the hardest AN fittings to make work, no matter what you do your gonna fight every connection your going to have to put an end on the hose.

If you have access to a diegrinder with an abrasive cut off wheel that works great and alot less labor intensive, or even go out and buy a dremel if nothing else. I always used electrical tape myself, seemed to hold up using the diegrinder w cutoff wheel. Everything in my car is AN fittings and I've used all 3 major brands including Russel, and by far the easiest to install is Aeroquip.

Be dang sure to blow out all the lines once the fittings are installed!!!

 

I prefer Aeroquip by far, worth the extra dollar or two in my mind. Earl's is ok, if you use the hose clamp trick it's still pretty easy to get the ends on. They also have some fittings that Aeroquip doesn't. I've used Russell fittings and I don't like them much. I've also tried a few Goodridge fittings lately, haven't really used them enough to have formed an opinion about them.

 

Oh yeah and like IHI says, flush and blow the lines when you're done, don't need any stainless steel nasties getting into your carb or your engine.

 

All I've ever used is Earl's, guess I might give Aeroquip a try if it's easier The first hose I made up I cut it with a fine tooth saw, man did that ever suck. Been using the dremmel tool with a cutoff disc since then and works great.

 

A cutoff wheel is nicer for sure, but if all you have is a hacksaw it's no problem.

 

If one has the money to start using AN fittings and the line to go with it, surely one has the extra $25-30 to spend for the base line dremel!!

 

I use the Craftsman one, myself, it was even cheaper.

 

25-30 bucks is what, 1 or 2 fittings sometimes? hehe Almost bought a couple last night that were 20 bucks a pop

 

That's why I cheated when I plumbed mine, from the fuel tank to the firewall it's all the Aeroquip blue line, then I change it over to all braided where you can actually see the stuff, still cost a little over $400, I'm friends with the guy that owns the store and he said to plumb a typical race fuel system using all braided is around $800. Little spendy imo for stuff nobody will ever see but me!!

 

Yeah there's no way I'd use it for anything that didn't need to flex. It's a lot cheaper to bend up some tubing.

 

Hey guys!
I'm currently fighting with my steel braided fuel line and AN fittings also. I've got all Aeroquip fittings and line, but I still am having a h*** of a time getting the sleeves onto the line. Somehow I did get two of them done after fighting with them, but I can't get the other two on. I've got a good cut on the end of the line, but if I take the tape off the steel braid just flares right out and there's no way I can get the sleeve over it. I just don't know what to do, I'm really frustrated with this right now because it's basically the last thing I have to get done before I can try and fire up my new Stealth Ram setup. If you can offer any additional tips that'd be awesome. I know you've pretty much covered it, but I can't even seem to make the hose clamp trick work. Maybe I'm just doing something wrong I don't know. Anyway, thanks for any and all help/suggestions!!

-Paul

 

Are you using a cutoff wheel or a hacksaw?

 

I'm sure you've tried the tried and true thumb puncturing procedure of trying to start one side of the hose and slowly trying to press the braided part into the fitting while slowly twisting/bringing the fitting down over the hose?

Braided is fun stuff, said a few choice words when I kept getting poked

 

I used a hacksaw at first, but I started using a cutoff wheel on a air powered dremel-type tool I just got. It seems to be making a nice clean cut...I just can't get the dang hose into the sleeve lol :P

 

Oh yes! that's exactly what I've been trying to do....my poor fingertips will never be the same again I don't think hehehe. So, I'm pretty much doing it right...I just need more patience? I know it'll be worth it in the end, but man is this frustrating!!!

Oh yeah....I should be taking the tape off before I try and put the sleeve on right? I was able to do that on one of the ends I got on and it just popped right in. The other one I got on I left the tape on the hose that was on it from Aeroquip and got the fitting to go on ok. Thanks again guys!

 

The tape has to come off. Sometimes it helps to put the fitting into a vice (preferrably with aluminum jaws). If you have a few strands that aren't cooperating, you can poke them in with a small, thin flat-bladed screwdriver to get them started.

 

Thanks so much for the vice idea! The thought crossed my mind but I didn't see how I would work it, but the way you described it worked awesome! I got both of the last 2 fittings done. I just used a rag in my vice to keep from scarring up the sleve and now I've got both the fuel lines done. I've just gotta put my tube nuts and sleeves on the hardlines in the car now and hook it up Thanks again so much for the help guys!!!!!

-Paul

 

GOOD!!! Just be sure to blow out the lines before installing and it would be a good idea too to flush the system once you have it up and running, just disconnect at carb, turn the pump on and flush out a gallon or two for peice of mind. The braided line is'nt as bad as the Aeroquip blue line, the rubber hose and sharp ends onthe barb fittings make nice rubber shaving that can reek havoc in the carb.