I am going to use 3/8 aluminum fuel line and I was wondering what type of fittings I should use.
The type that needs a flared end on the line or the fitting that uses the compression ring that slips over the line and compresses once you tighten it up.
I don't know how well a flare will hold up when it gets tightened down.
Thanks.

With aluminum tubing, you slide on the nut and then these sleeves before you flare the tube.

Sleeves http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/sum-220634-2b/overview/


Nuts: http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/sum-220633-2b/overview/

I use flare nuts and sleeves on mine, no issues.. (With AN fittings and the correct flare angle)

Earl's has fitting adapters as well; easy to use and never had a problem with them.

with the flare nuts and sleeves you would need the somewhat pricey 37 deg flaring tool. I used speedway mtrs flare nuts/sleeves which give you an AN blue alum fitting. they have alot of fittings & there MIGHT be a compression fitting setup that is suitable. If I could do it correctly & not have to purchase the tool I would

Using the 37 degree AN sleeves and nuts on aluminum lines requires a Parker Hannifin or another brand of a 37 degree flaring tool. I bought one when I owned maintained and flew my airplane years ago, those type tools are not cheap I have used a regular 45 degrree flaring tool(single flare oly on aluminum, not double ) on alumimum lines for the race car and got away with it, the trick is to NOT flare it all the way to 37 degrees, stop and slide the sleeve and nut up onto the aluminum line and get it close to being at the right angle and use the male end of the other fitting to do the final seating You can use regular brass or steel automotive 45 degree fittings also

A $30 tool is pricey or expensive? OK.

Summit has the 37* flaring tool as do others. I used one to do a few cars with aluminum line.

$30 ain't pricey or expensive at all but I had no idea one was available that cheap & yes your price is correct. Thank you! I need a new one & I'll be calling or emailing them tomorrow.

The only 37 degree flaring kits that where around when I bought mine in 1993 where north of $85.00 plus the shipping, the same outfit sold a tool to swell the end of the tubes up like stock steel lines have on them from the factory, that was expensive also. I wish I had bought one of them back then, in hindsight I should have Very seldom do good tools get cheaper or better

Thanks Cab & thats the way it (prices) was when I was searching. I just thought that maybe I didnt look far enough. EDIT summitt $24.97 + $9.95 ship/handling I believe. it'd be a cheapie but I dont flare that much & it is kind of a trouble free item just needs careful use to get a good flare

I have used brass flare fittings(no sleeves) from the hardware store on aluminum fuel and transmission lines on a few of my cars. One has been together for 16 years without any problems.

Could you post a pic of em so we will know what to look for?

Hey, Robert! When i did my Chall racecar years ago(still outside here) I used weatherhead 1/2' comression fittings with the ferrules, just like the old plastic line oil fittings we hated, just huge. You can then go from that to NPT at the ends and into hose barb, AN or whatever blows your hair back.
Worked awesome and is still in service 16 years later.IMHO

I ain't heard from you in a coons age, I thought maybe you moved back to Hawaii. (its 76 degrees there right now)

Oh I just decided to do other things for awhile and take a well deserved pause, had a different job for awhile that took me to a few states, long hours etc. Had a bunch of my own tech problems to solve, not much interest in anyone else's issues...BTW Hawaii has internet, so even then I would still post :-)
Nope, still loving Washington, lots of good folks here, Car club is pretty cool, lots of respect even tho I'm like one of two Mopar guys...
Funny how people spend time getting to know you in the 'real world'
and are a lot less judgemental and arrogant than in cyber.
You? Still ripping it up in the Heartland?

Yeah I do (much) better in cyberspace than in real life. After 13 yrs on Moparts I am comfortable with my tech level but I ain't made a meal ticket out of it (no antique Mopar specific restoration shops locally but I might go back to work for Speedway mtrs & they're chebby heaven!) otherwise I just pass on what I can to members in need. Take care & we'll be in touch as needed. EDIT and I wanted to add that 99% of what I know came from Moparts and I am still learning (here) every day.

I use the rigid ratcheting flaring tool for 3/4 stainless oil lines, Parker rolo flaring tool for everything else. I also have the parker beading tool....
I do have 2 of the rolo flaring tools now....picked one up in a collection of stuff in a friends estate sale....Tim

http://www.toolbarn.com/ridgid-41162.html