Dean_Fuller

After reading some more on the world wide internet I now fell a little uneasy.

I just replaced fuel lines on my car and my sons. After cutting the crimps off and adding real nice fuel injection clamps...I got to thinking. Just how tight should one tighten the clamps around hose over the barbs. I used a screw driver ( not a socket ) and tightened them as tight as I could without turning red. In other words I tightened till it was a lot of resistance and stopped. Now I'm thinking I may be too tight. I can visualized the barbs maybe cutting into the inside of the hose....

How tight is TOO tight....how do you know when to stop tightening.

I'm not too proud to ask when it comes to an open flame under my car....or me son's.

NoVector

On the Ultimate Garage website, they show their ABA mini clamps having a tightening torque of 1.1ft lbs or 13.3 inch lbs. Fuel clamps also have the rounded edges so they don't cut into the line. Since you just used a screwdriver and not a driver, I'm thinking you're okay. I always get them snug--and then a little bit more. And then I put a dab of paint on it... Kind of related, any other fuel lines I do, I'm going to double clamp them (Greg's idea.)

renaissance.man

I think you are okay. Fuel line is a reinforced hose, so it is difficult to damage it by over tightening it.

I definitely put my clamps on really tight since I have seen fuel weep out of a moderately tight clamp. In this situation, I think there is a higher chance of creating a fire.

FredR

On my r/r of the fuel lines I tightened them until the clamp was more or less flush with the OD of the hose. I used two clamps at each point. That naturally spaces the clamps to some extent.

Use of a screw driver is fine- a bit of common sense on applied torque is needed. it does not need gorilla torque to work.

Fred

ROG100

Dean,
Remember it is the barbs that do the sealing. The axial end thrust of the hose under pressure allows the barb to press into the wall of the hose and make the seal.
The clamp is an extra level of safety and two would be extra extra safe.
Roger

dr bob

Dean--

If this is related to the other thread about the new-tech plastic-lined fuel hose and clamps, the Most Critical thing is to make sure that the clamp isn't deforming the hose right at the barb or bead. Maybe one hose-wall-thickness away should be fine. Then I use 14 inch/lbs as a guide number; that value came from some irrefutable Internet source that I've forgotten. Anyway, after the 14 inch/lbs, clamps can be adjusted tighter as needed to stop leaks. Call it 'empirical torque adjusting'.

robot808

I tightened mine tight, but not too tight.

ROG100

tight is good 8>)