Fuel Line Fittings

[osubeaver]

What type of fuel line fittings do all of you use? I know we have previously used plastic quick disconnect ones, but I would like to use aluminum AN type fittings from Russel or Earl's. Also, we run E-85 so it would be helpful to know if anyone here has had any problem with aluminum fittings corroding, although I would think that anodization prevents this.

[osubeaver]

What type of fuel line fittings do all of you use? I know we have previously used plastic quick disconnect ones, but I would like to use aluminum AN type fittings from Russel or Earl's. Also, we run E-85 so it would be helpful to know if anyone here has had any problem with aluminum fittings corroding, although I would think that anodization prevents this.

[James Waltman]

Where are you guys getting your E-85 from? We may run it but we are having a tough time finding a supplier.

We were going to use AN fittings for our oil system but the guys at the local hydraulic store talked us out of it. They set us up with Parker Push-Lok fittings. They don't cost nearly as much, they are tremendously easy to install, and so far no leaks with high pressure, hot oil in them. We are using them for our fuel system as well but I think that fuel is not recommended by Parker (the guys at the hydraulic store say it works). It is something we are testing and may have to change.
http://www.parker.com/hpd/literature/pdf/4281_b1.pdf



James Waltman
http://dot.etec.wwu.edu/fsae/
Vehicle Research Institute at
Western Washington University

[Alan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We were going to use AN fittings for our oil system but the guys at the local hydraulic store talked us out of it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What did they not like about AN fittings?

Kettering University FSAE

[James Waltman]

They like AN fittings just fine – they have a huge selection of Earl's. They were basically trying to save me money. They knew that I was going to pay for them out of my pocket and we wanted a dozen or so. They were about $10 to $20 each and the hose was expensive too. The guys at the shop are familiar with what we do and are very helpful and accommodating (way more than they reasonably should be). As it turns out we have been very impressed by the Push-Lok stuff.

James Waltman
http://dot.etec.wwu.edu/fsae/
Vehicle Research Institute at
Western Washington University

[karter]

We use the parker push on fittings for the fuel system in the sprint car and that's streight methanol. Same hoses for the last 4 years, 16 races a year, 40 gallons a race ,,,,,, not a problem. AN fittings are lovely but, they are not without problems, cost, and have to be assembled properly (ever have a "flapper")

[Daves]

Washington has one E85 station, and it's 35 miles south of Seattle. Here are the E85 stations in the Pacific Northwest (image may not work):

McChord AFB - 62 LRS/LGRF
714 Battery Rd
McChord AFB
WA, 98438

Stinker Station
208-375-2294
16 N. Curtis Road
Boise, ID
83706

http://205.168.79.73/scripts/webgate.dll/afrsl/afdc/MAPSERVICE?MID=E85&V=200&T=3797%2e1667725753&L=%2d2281%2e6720192308&R=%2d612%2e7756981605&B=2797%2e1667725753&X=500&Y=300&FX=%2d1446%2e03375&FY=3294%2e0625&FN=&FRad=500%2e0&TM=1073443188671&MU=0&LU=en&IF=0&IL=1&Cmd=UpdateMap

You can go to www.afdc.doe.gov (http://www.afdc.doe.gov) to see all the stations in the U.S.

[James Waltman]

Thanks Dave. I will see if we can get a hold of someone there. I don't know if we will have any luck because McChord is an Air Force Base and the only group with access to the station is government personnel. The 1200 mile round trip to Boise would suck. The drive to Corvallis is only about 700 miles round trip and for some reason that feels like a sensible distance to drive to get fuel. But no public refueling stations are available in Oregon either... We had been looking at http://www.e85fuel.com.

James Waltman
http://dot.etec.wwu.edu/fsae/
Vehicle Research Institute at
Western Washington University

[Daves]

The government website does list who has access to the station, and the one in McChord says "public" access.

http://www.letu.edu/formula

Formula Photos & Links (http://what3542.5u.com/dave/fsae/formula_photos.html)

[Big Daddy]

I could be wrong but I thought that the rules require AN fittings and sheilded hose for fuel applications. Please let me know if I am wrong or missread the rules.

"A woman is a lot like a beer, they look good, smell good, and you would run over your own mother to get one." Homer Simpson

[Lacy Lodmell]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> 3.5.3.8 High Pressure System Requirements
(A) Fuel Lines – High pressure over 103.4 kPa (15 psi) fuel
systems must utilize protected hose (metal braided or some other
abrasion resistant shielding) with either threaded fittings or
modern OEM type fittings used without modifications to either
the hose or the fitting. A hose clamp(s) over a removable line of
any type is not permitted on a high pressure fuel line(s). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes the rules require threaded fittings and shielded hose, but they don't specifically state AN fittings and stainless braid. I think the Parker fittings meet the threaded fitting requirement, but IMO you would need to slip some kind of shielding over the lines to meet the "abrasion resistant" part of the rule. [Edited to add my opinion about the legality of the Parker stuff.]

Lacy Lodmell
Vandals Racing 2003
University of Idaho FSAE

[osubeaver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by James Waltman:
Where are you guys getting your E-85 from? We may run it but we are having a tough time finding a supplier.

We were going to use AN fittings for our oil system but the guys at the local hydraulic store talked us out of it. They set us up with Parker Push-Lok fittings. They don't cost nearly as much, they are tremendously easy to install, and so far no leaks with high pressure, hot oil in them. We are using them for our fuel system as well but I think that fuel is not recommended by Parker (the guys at the hydraulic store say it works). It is something we are testing and may have to change.
http://www.parker.com/hpd/literature/pdf/4281_b1.pdf
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the info. Are these fittings fairly easy to find, or do they have to be ordered? Also, do you know if any of Parker's Push-Lok hose is in compliance with the "abrasion resistance" requirement in the SAE rules?

[Big Daddy]

Ok after some research at work (I am on Co-op at a company that makes Fuel Hose) I have found what we use for abrasion resistance. Almost all of the Big 3 use this where abrasion is an issue. It can be slipped over any hose and is availble in any size. Plus it is very cheap. Its a nylon braid that looks and acts like a chinese finger trap. Here are some pics of one of them on a hose we produce.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4288009213&congratulation_page=Y

So therefore you could use any rubber hose with a burst over 250psi, which by the way should be any hose that has a braid reinforcement in it, and just slip this over them. I really like the Parker Push Locks even though I technically work for a competitor. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

"A woman is a lot like a beer, they look good, smell good, and you would run over your own mother to get one." Homer Simpson

[osubeaver]

Excellent. I know I have seen that stuff somewhere before, but I guess I didn't realize that it went over hose.