Nickel Copper, Cupro, Nico Fuel Lines And Corrosion

For those who have been using fuel lines made of a nickel copper alloy, has anyone noticed notice any corrosion?

My steel lines are corroding internally. They are 64 years old. It sits for long periods of time without use. I suspect water is collecting in the low spots along the line due to our modern gas. Didn't help that the lines were pretty crudy when I bought the jeep 15 +/- years ago. I'm trying to decide whether to replace with stainless steel or nickel/copper lines. I'll bend them myself. I like Stainless because I think it would be fix and forget. I hear that the nickel/copper lines are real easy to work with but I'm concern that they may not resist corrosion as well as stainless. Can people share their experience with the nickel/copper lines?

The jeep is a 1953 M38a1 F134.

 

Well, I've used the NiCopp lines on the J10, and they seem fine. They are easier to bend and flare than steel or (heaven forbid) stainless. No corrosion so far, and I would believe the claims that they are corrosion proof. They have been in use for many years.

JMO - in Texas, you should get at least another 64 years from plain steel plated lines. If you go Nicopp, you would be increasing your costs some, and with stainless you would be punishing yourself (much harder to bend and flare). Here in the Northeast, the lines get corroded from road salt on the outside - not an issue in Tejas. If you flush the brake fluid every few years, there should be no internal corrosion. Conventional brake fluid (ie not silicone DOT-5) will take up some water, and contains corrosion inhibitors. Replacing fluid removes accumulated water and refreshes the corrosion inhibitors.

 

I've replaced a couple factory lines on our DDs over the last few years, with NiCopp lines. I've had no issues with them and they seem to look as good as the day I installed them. I live in PA where salt, calcium chloride and even magnesium chloride is used to treat the roads in the winter. Nice gets a thumbs up from me.

 

The OP is asking about materials for fuel lines rather than brake lines. Cupro-nickel is great for brake lines, but I can't comment on its application for fuel, though I would assume it would be OK. I've seen corrosion problems from ethanol gas that I would never have expected, like sending units in the gas tank corroding into oblivion.
I have always used a 304 stainless for fuel lines on boats and it has proven indetructable. The 304 grade (vs 316) is a bit softer and bends and flares well with the correct tools. In general, make bends in stainless carefully, as trying the re-bend it will prove difficult. This stuff seems to temper/harden with bending.
-Donny

 

Ah. Correct. I have only used plated steel line for fuel.

I would point out, with NiCopp, the price goes up quite a bit as you go up in diameter.

I have a coil of 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" steel line I bought from DelCity that I use for fuel lines. For NiCopp, check out eBay - that seems to be the least expensive source.

 

I think the key to this and many other problems is to use fuel conditioners regularly, in small amounts.

Since using Seafoam routinely, I've had much less corrosion trouble in my small engines.