I have stainless, braided fuel lines and Earl's hose ends to match...I got 2 of the ends on, but damn, what a pain in the

Is there a secret way to get the fuel line into the hose end? It's the tightest fit, almost doesn't fit! Help!

 

Petrolium jelly, a dab on the fitting barb and a Q tip swabbed inside the hose where it slides on the barb. Also, when cutting the hose, wrap it in masking tape where the cut needs to be and cut it with a new hacksaw blade in the middle of the tape. This will keep the braided covering from fraying.

 

2 blades in hack saw work too, one facing forward and one facing back. i've used cut off disk in die grindes and chop saws. i like the chop saw the best. use tape liek was already said and i've dressed loose wires with a die grinder and cut off disk.

 

Put a hose clamp on about 1/16" from the end of the hose and tighten it until the braid squeezes enough to go into the fitting.

 

When I did my fuel line, ended up going to 2 different stores for the AN fittings I needed since neither place had everything I needed. I used Aeorquip and Earls, from my experience, the Earls fittings are tough to use, not user friendly at all, hell I had 3 Aeorquip's installed to 1 Earls, that big of a difference. I did not want to try the hack saw blade as I was afraid I'd fray the braids beyond repair so opted for the cut off wheel in my 1/4" die grinder. I had great results using this cutting tool and wrapping tightly with electrical tape. Seemes like the ends of the Earl fittings are almost too tight to get the braided line in-they go in, but what a pita!! Oh, just be sure to use a air hose and blow out the fuel line just after you cut it and before you install it to try and rid all gunk outta the line.

 

Excellent suggestions from all!! I think I'm going to try the chop saw idea using my miter saw with an 80 tooth, 10" blade...ZING

I'll make sure to wrap with electrical tape and cut down the middle...

I'll need to ask the wife if we have any "jelly"...never used it for that

These Earl's fittings sure are tight like you say...I guess in the long run, that's a good thing

 

DO NOT DO WHAT I JUST DID!!

Don't use a miter saw with a wood blade to cut through steel braided line...Just about took my eye out

Anyway, I wound up trimming the braid back enough to have only the rubber hose inserted into the hose end...Still tight as a mama jamma when finished and no silly braid to mess with. I yanked on the hose hard as the hose end sat in a vice and it did not budge. The only drawback if any, is that I had to wrap the frayed braid with electrical tape to keep it down snug against the fitting...ugly, but fully functional

The rubber hose is physically inserted into the hose end, but the steel braid is not inserted into the hose end. The two parts of the hose end were then screwed together, locking the rubber hose tight to the hose end...Hopefully this makes sense...Can anyone think of any safety concern with what I just did?

 

OMFG, wish I woulda caught that earlier, I coulda told you STOP. Surprised if it did'nt try and whip the hose outta your hand and up into the saw, good lordy!!! Glad your okay, but seriously, I would take the "nasty" end back apart and try it with the "right blade" If you can wait till tomorrow, go out and get an abrasive blade for your chop saw, rpms will be higher than needed, but it's just a hose anyways so it's easy cutting. The way you have it now will probably work since it basically squedges the rubber hose with the inside fitting, but it'll look like *** as you said and as much as this stuff costs, might as well make it right. Next time you try this braided hose, look for Aeroquip fittings, I;m tellin ya. They both do the same job, look the same, but much less headaches on assembly. Mainly stuck that part in there for any future users, since you got your stuff already.

 

I think it turned out OK. Here's a picture...the "taped" fittings are down low on the driver's side, certainly not the focus of attention:

 

Next time don't tape the braid if you have to cut it back, instead try some heat shrink tubing. Just slip it on the line before assembly and when the fitting is on, slide it down to the fitting and hit it with a heat gun. That will look professional and neat.