Fuel Fill Tube - Steel or Aluminum

[jstolte]

I am replacing the badly corroded fuel filler tubes on my '67 Crusader.

I took the two 2' threaded ALUMINUM filler tubes to the local pluming supply and asked them to duplicate what I had.

I got back two 2" STEEL threaded nipples of the same length.

I had planned to have the new ones chromed.

Can I use these steel pieces or should I stick with aluminum?

What about the chrome? Good idea/bad idea?

I'm concerned that there may actually be a good reason, electrical or otherwise as to why they were aluminum...

Thanks

[jstolte]

I left my office and stopped at the gas station, where I had one of those Homer Simpson "Doh" moments.

Of course, they need to be aluminum.... Steel can spark, aluminum can't. Found a source and will have two new aluminum fill tubes on Monday.

My question about chrome plating them remains however. If not chrome, paint?

Thanks

I am replacing the badly corroded fuel filler tubes on my '67 Crusader.

I took the two 2' threaded ALUMINUM filler tubes to the local pluming supply and asked them to duplicate what I had.

I got back two 2" STEEL threaded nipples of the same length.

I had planned to have the new ones chromed.

Can I use these steel pieces or should I stick with aluminum?

What about the chrome? Good idea/bad idea?

I'm concerned that there may actually be a good reason, electrical or otherwise as to why they were aluminum...

Thanks

[drrot]

Check the threads. The original pipes had straight cut threads to screw in to the tank and adjust the height. Most pipe available today has NPT tapered threads that tighten when screwed together.

[jstolte]

Actually, the filler tubes connect to the tank via a rubber hose, which I also intend to replace despite the fact that it looks pretty good. Just better to be safe I guess.

I took the original CC Gas caps with me today, and we did test the threads, and they are standard threads and will fit the new tubes properly.

Thanks for the heads up.

Any advice on the chrome question?

[evansjw44]

CC used aluminum in later years but red brass in earlier years. There is supposed to be a copper strap grounding jumper that slips under the connecting hose that provides the ground for the fill pipe. Try not to use round stranded wire for this jumper, it will leak. That's why CC used copper strap.

[jstolte]

Thanks for the info on the copper strap. I'll have to look for one of those.

Currently, there is indeed a stripped regular copper (insulated) wire, connecting the two pipes. I'll look for some copper strap.