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Upgrading to Braided Hose: Recommendations Needed

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weighsignificantly

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Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of upgrading my 1988 K5 Blazer's fuel system and considering replacing the old fuel lines with braided hose. I've read about the benefits of braided lines in terms of durability and performance. However, I'm concerned about compatibility with my existing hose fittings and the best practices for installation.

Has anyone here made a similar upgrade? What braided hose and hose fittings did you use?

Were there any challenges during installation, and how did you overcome them?

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 
weighsignificantly said:
Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of upgrading my 1988 K5 Blazer's fuel system and considering replacing the old fuel lines with braided hose. I've read about the benefits of braided lines in terms of durability and performance. However, I'm concerned about compatibility with my existing hose fittings and the best practices for installation.

Has anyone here made a similar upgrade? What braided hose and hose fittings did you use?

Were there any challenges during installation and an hose fittings, and how did you overcome them?

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
thanks in advance for any help
 
All of the fittings can be had to convert existing GM fuel systems to using AN lines, -6 works well

Then it’s just a matter of finding which lines you want to use. The Teflon liner is supposed to be good for ethanol fuels. That style line is a fitting specific for the style

I’m on the 4th vehicle using AN lines. Just add your fuel filter in the same spot with your adapters and maintain the rest of the stock fuel system
 
Stick with one brand. Watch the company videos on assembly.
Personally I have had some bad experiences with Evil Energy. Some good luck with jegs and Summit branded fittings. All -6 fittings are not the same, speaking of Inside diameters.
 
I use them myself, so I sell Fragola, because they are Made in the USA, great family company, and it's less expensive than the other USA made brands because those are larger companies. It also assembles very easy and is reusable because they use 2024 which is stronger and more durable.

Some of these overseas fittings are cheaper, but so soft that you pretty much ruin them trying to take them back apart.
 
Don't cheap out on the fittings. My dad and I went through a dozen brands when we re-plumbed practically everything on our old GTO. As @Wes Harden Said, not all fittings are the same. Many mix and match joints we put together ended up leaking for no damned reason. Not all brands have the same tolerances in their machining. We found out the hard way.

It's expensive stuff, but it's super durable, easy to install/remove and looks puuuuurdy.
 
I used Evil Energy fittings, bought a kit. I have to agree with Wes and Heath, first time they went together was good. After disconnecting and reconnecting once or twice, they leak. I had to tighten them way more than I had the first time they were connected to get a drip down to a slow weep. Would not recommend EE fittings.
 
I went through this recently with a few of my diesel squarebody trucks. I went PTFE core hose because everything else seems to need replacement years down the road. PTFE seems to be a forever hose.

I highly suggest the Jegs PTFE tool that makes the hose round after you cut it and pushes back the braided steel wrap so the fitting can just slide on without drawing your blood:

Amazon.com: JEGS 110452 PTFE Hose Assembly Tool For -6 AN & -8 AN Hose : Automotive

Buy JEGS 110452 PTFE Hose Assembly Tool For -6 AN & -8 AN Hose: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
amzn.to
 
With my old arthritic hands, I had to buy a fitting installation set of dies.

Are you going steel or cloth braided?
 
That’s neat. Wish I knew about it before giving up on braided hose and buying Earls vapor lock hose.
Barrman said:
I went through this recently with a few of my diesel squarebody trucks. I went PTFE core hose because everything else seems to need replacement years down the road. PTFE seems to be a forever hose.

I highly suggest the Jegs PTFE tool that makes the hose round after you cut it and pushes back the braided steel wrap so the fitting can just slide on without drawing your blood:

Amazon.com: JEGS 110452 PTFE Hose Assembly Tool For -6 AN & -8 AN Hose : Automotive

Buy JEGS 110452 PTFE Hose Assembly Tool For -6 AN & -8 AN Hose: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
amzn.to
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