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| There are a couple of technical reasons, but I don't know if there is a regulatory source. Vibration is one concern and I was told that steel should be used on each end of a hose that connects between the engine to a stationary location. Steel has an infinite fatigue life and aluminum has a finite fatigue life that depends on stress level. Is this a sufficient reason to use steel? I doubt that the vibratory stresses in most fittings could ever be high enough to be a concern - after all, the hose itself isolates the movement. The second reason is fire protection - in theory the aluminum fittings could melt in the case of an engine fire. I doubt that this would happen in the case of a fairly massive fitting, but I suppose it could happen to a -3 or -4 fitting used for a gage line exposede to direct flame (no internal flow to cool the fitting). I'm sure I added a pound or two of weight by using steel fittings, but that's what I did.
Gary Casey
In the past there has been discussion of the use of aluminum hose fittings firewall forward, the general opinion being no. I am in negotiation with a supplier of hoses who claims there is no reason or regulation not to use them. Up to now I have not been able to find any regulation on the matter. Can any one help? Thanks John Herminghaus LIVP
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