Re: Copper Tubing Application

[whodom@awod.com (Hugh Odom)]

>     I've used copper tubing for numerous applications, fuel
>     lines, PS lines, tranny coolers, and on one occasion 
>     a friend and I used copper drain pipe to make the compete
>     exhaust for an old Triumph TR2. (Heated it filled with sand
>     and pounded it into the right shape.)
>
While copper tubing will work and I've seen it done many times, this is a
potentially dangerous application in automobiles.  Copper is supposedly much
more susceptible to fatigue failure which is caused by the material "work
hardening" from vibration.  For example, they used to use a lot of copper
lubrication lines on steam locomotives (which vibrate a LOT!), but they
would take all the lines off and anneal them at high temperature every 3
years or so during overhauls.  Additionally, copper probably isn't suitable
for power steering working pressure.

So, you might get away with it, or you might spray down your exhaust
manifold with fuel or PS fluid without warning.  Steel or other materials
which are more suitable are readily available, they're just a damn sight
harder to bend.

Hugh Odom
81 Coupe (gone but not forgotten)
91 Ford Ranger
53 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe