MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

[Jacalore]

I have a 1985 MerCruiser 3.0L 140hp 4cyl engine - has a flexible fuel line running from fuel pump to carb intake - is this correct? Safe? I saw another similar engine and on it, that run was all thru a rigid fuel line. Which is correct? Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

Those are steel lines lines from the factory.
It is allowable to use A-1 fuel hose with the proper type barbed fittings (NOT the push-on hose style barbs) and mini-hose clamps. But the proper barbed fittings are hard to find that adapt to the double flare fitting in the carb.

I typically get a universal steel brake line, cut the flare off one end, bend to fit, and once cut to length re-flare the end.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

Thanks, Don. The flexible line is already installed. I have a rigid line from another engine, but of course it won't connect to the hose barb. I'm wondering do I need to hunt down a fitting or can I just go with the flexi line that's already there? The reason for concern is that the fuel pump is on one side of the engine and the carb on the other side, so the line crosses over the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

Thanks, Don. The flexible line is already installed. I have a rigid line from another engine, but of course it won't connect to the hose barb. I'm wondering do I need to hunt down a fitting or can I just go with the flexi line that's already there? The reason for concern is that the fuel pump is on one side of the engine and the carb on the other side, so the line crosses over the engine.

I can't answer that, I have no idea what you have there. Could be the wrong fittings and wrong hose for all I know. You wouldn't have the first boat with a hacked up fuel system because of what a previous owner didn't know.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

Basically, the question I'm (not so clearly!) asking is - is flexible line that crosses over the top of the engine safe?
Assuming all fittings and fuel line are correct. IOW, is it a requirement that fuel lines that cross over the engine be rigid?

 

[Don S]

Re: MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

Basically, the question I'm (not so clearly!) asking is - is flexible line that crosses over the top of the engine safe?
Assuming all fittings and fuel line are correct. IOW, is it a requirement that fuel lines that cross over the engine be rigid?

As I said before:

It is allowable to use A-1 fuel hose with the proper type barbed fittings (NOT the push-on hose style barbs) and mini-hose clamps. But the proper barbed fittings are hard to find that adapt to the double flare fitting in the carb.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: MerCruiser 140 Fuel Line Rigid or Flexible?

Ok, thanks, I'm a little slow on the uptake.