Rigid plastic vacuum lines, can I replace with rubber vacuum hose?

[Coal creek Chris]

I need to replace a few vacuum lines on a TBI 454 square, including one that goes from the air injection diverter valve to the TBI, and a few others. But they are made of rigid plastic and are smaller diameter than typical rubber vacuum lines. Do I have to use rigid plastic vacuum line or can I switch to regular rubber hose of the same inside diameter? Curious how important it is to have rigid plastic lines, maybe they need to be stiff to function correctly? And of course parts stores don't have the rigid lines, so I'm on another wild goose chase. Although I love goose chases so I should stop complaining.

 

[Snoots]

Yes you can use rubber line. That plastic junk is going to crack no matter what.
If you can find it, stainless steel tubing the size of the plastic stuff is fantastic.

 

[Craig 85]

Napa Auto Parts carries hard plastic line for air brakes in various sizes.

 

[75gmck25]

Dorman Help! Has hard vacuum line in at least two sizes, I think the 47417 1/8” line matched the size of OEM hard line used in the HVAC on my ‘75 truck. I used short pieces of rubber vacuum line to patch in the new hard line.

Bruce

 

[Coal creek Chris]

Thanks for the tips. The NAPA near me wanted to sell me copper tubing which seemed strange.

 

[Snoots]

That'll work. I'd rather use SS.

 

[Coal creek Chris]

Thanks again. Got everything hooked up correctly and the truck runs much better.