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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 34 | is it ok to use rubber line for vac advance?
old metal line is no good, new one is back ordered
any pros and cons | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,061 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,061 | Hy atownkustom, yes you can use a rubber line as long as it is strong enough not to collapse under vacuum, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | In a nutshell no in my opinion. Rubber is ok in small diameter for short lengths of a few inches or so. 20" of vacuum will suck small diameter hose shut eventually especially next to a heat source. There is a good reason why this line was steel in the first place.
Steve]
Last edited by sstock; 04/10/2013 11:09 AM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | that line is most always rubber nowadays, easier to crimp or plug when setting timing that way
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,903 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,903 | As Bill said the later ones are rubber, and vacuum lines to wipers have always been rubber. Get vacuum hose, and you will be ok. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 34 | good points ,thanks
will run rubber vacuum rated for now ,and hope the back ordered metal line shows up. I like the clean look of the metal line
you all feel the same about fuel line ? pump to carb metal or rubber | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I agree on the vacuum line but fuel is different. Steel tube is safer.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 | Is it possible to fabricate your own steel lines? Using the old one for a pattern.
1939 Chevrolet Stake Truck
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Yes. Use steel brake line.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 34 | Yes. Use steel brake line. yes how could I forget that got it done for under $10 the one I had ordered was $25 plus shipping so thanks again | | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 462 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 462 | In a nutshell no in my opinion. Rubber is ok in small diameter for short lengths of a few inches or so. 20" of vacuum will suck small diameter hose shut eventually especially next to a heat source. There is a good reason why this line was steel in the first place.
Steve] Iagree, plus steel lasts longer | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 |
I always use a steel line (stainless) from the carburetor to the vacuum advance mechanism on the carburetor. Even though this line is well-above any of the hottest parts of the engine. Steel is safer, and it is easier to safely route around the top of the valve cover.
However, I am confused (amused?) by all the dire warnings about rubber hoses (of any length) being "sucked shut". How many of us have long-lengths of rubber hoses going from the intake manifold to a vacuum wiper-motor (this is the same amount of vacuum as in the advance line - 19"-21" of vacuum)? red58 and crenwelge (and others who posted that rubber would be OK) are, of course, correct.
Steel does last longer, and stainless steel would even last longerer.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 56 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 56 | Plus stainless steel doesn't corrode as bad as straight steel does,also I have bent it so the fuel filter can be directed as far away from heat as possible. Pat
1966 Chevy C 30 1 ton truck
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