metal vs rubber fuel line?

[70vert]

I just replaced my fuel pump and the fittings on the new one are not that same so the metal line to the carb wouldn't fit. I could use some adapters, or make a new one, but it was just way easier to put a rubber fuel hose on. I do intend that to be temporary but is there any urgency to get a proper metal line?

It's not a show car so doesn't need to be OEM.

[MoparLeo]

Rubber should only be used at the solid to movable joints. Like tank to fuel line. Fuel pump to frame mounted line. All other lines should be steel.
Rubber, especially with todays fuels deteriorates quickly and is used only as a flexible joint in very short lengths.
Safety first. Never not enough time to do something safely. 

[Filthy Filbert]

Lots of rubber fuel line out there.   I wouldn't worry about it.   My weed trimmer, leaf blower, tractor, generator, all have rubber fuel lines.  My Dakota has a section of about 3 feet of rubber fuel line coming up the back side of the engine to the fuel rails, and another 10" from one fuel rail to the other...

Strangely I've had no fuel leaks or engine fires; despite using "today's fuels" 

Rubber can deteriorate... but metal can corrode and rust—they don't even make fuel tanks out of steel anymore.   


If you're not worried about originality, and use a fuel rated rubber, then I wouldn't worry about it. 

[RUNCHARGER]

Some of this new rubber fuel line will crack or break down within a year. A rubber fuel line looks bad as well. I would put metal line in as soon as possible if it was my car, fire is one of those things that no one worries about until it's too late. My lawn mower has rubber line alright but it's worth about $50. I check the little rubber pieces and clamps about twice a year too, it's easy to overlook the one from the body line to the fuel pickup at the tank so don't forget about that one.

[Dakota]

I'm running an electric fuel pump to feed a throttle-body EFI unit.  I used mostly braided stainless 6AN lines due to the higher operating pressure and flexibility.   There are adapters available to connect the 6AN line it to existing hardlines if needed.    My    not worth the risk to use rubber, especially if originality doesn't matter to you.

I've replaced the fuel lines on my weed wacker twice and the primer bulb once from being dissolved.   Now I only feed it (and my Challenger) ethanol-free gas.

[torredcuda]

Probable cause of my engine bay fire was a small split in the rubber fuel hose directly off my carb dual feed log or a loosened hose clamp, all my upper lines all the way to the fuel pump are now new braided with AN fittings.

[torredcuda]

I also ran it away from the front of the engine to minimize heat.

[70vert]

As I mentioned I do plan to replace/fix the steel line, just not ASAP. And another option was mentioned, braided fuel line. I like the flexibility (pun intended) of the rubber line and braided would be more durable. And I think braided would be more insulated from heat, which would be good. So I'll look into that also.

Anyway, thanks all for the input!