replacing plastic oil line with.........

[Steve Dickey]

I just blew/fried my plastic line running to my oil pressure gauge. So...Not wanting to risk another fire I'm looking to replace it with braided stainless steel line. My problem is finding an adaptor for the BSP threads on the Smiths gauge. Where can I find a 1/8"BSP female to 3or 4AN male adaptor? Has anyone else elimiated this plastic line and if so how, and where did you get the fittings?
Thanks Gang, Steve D***ey

[Ken Oikawa]

I use a 3/16 in. copper tubing.

[Mr.Fixit]

Yes, on every cobra I built. I used stainless braided teflon-3 line and full radius fittings. You will notice the improvent in gauge performance immediately, no more unwanted dampening. I no longer have the part number for the adapter fitting for the smith's gauge. The hose shop I use is "TMR" in the city of orange CA. If you call them, they will be able to sell you the setup: fittings, adapters and hose.

TMR Inc
2346 North Pacific Street, Orange, CA 92865
(714) 771-1348

[mr0077]

Ken, be aware that copper tubing is very prone to fatigue cracking with vibration...mount it firmly on the motor and check it often.

[ERA 626]

I have seen very nice braided lines in some SPF cars at BACC, supplied by Craig @ Top of the Hill Racing in Pleasanton, CA

[Rick 427 Cobra]

I bought my adaptor from McCluskey and I second what Mr Fixit said. Plastic lines are junk.
Rick

[traindriver]

try www.anplumbing.com. The 1/8 BSP to -3an adapter is #9687AAA for $4.42.

[Steve Dickey]

Mr Fixit.
Thanks for adding the phone number and address. I gave them a call. They seemed nice on the phone but did not have the adaptor. I said that someone(you) used to get them there. He replied that they have not had them for years. Thanks again for taking the time to list their number.

Traindriver,
I ordered the adaptor on line thru anplumbing.com. I'm a bit concerned because nobody answers thier customer service number. Time will tell.
Thanks all, Steve D***ey

[Steve Dickey]

All,
It has been a couple of weeks since I ordered my fitting on line from anplumbing.com. Still no fitting, and they still do not answer thier customer service line. Just fired off an e-mail but not too hopeful. Anybody else know where I can find a male-3AN to a female 1/8"BSP???
Thanks, Steve D***ey

[Rick 427 Cobra]

Try Mike at http://www.mccluskeyltd.com/
He mailed mine before I wrote the check!
Rick

[wilf leek]

Steve - if you draw a blank with US suppliers (can't imagine you won't find one eventually??) then I got mine from a UK supplier at www.thinkauto.com

I aslo used the - 3 stainless braided line which is covered with clear plastic - keeps itself cleaner.

[turnpike boy]

Steve - just had to put out an identical fire in my as-yet undriven Unique. After blowing my lungs out to snuff what was left of the fire after shutting off, drove to the local speed shop and picked up a braided stainless line, in shrink wrap, made by Auto Meter. Line is about 4' long, has swaged ends, fits perfect. I don't have the part # but this guy had it on the shelf. Check it out locally.

[Chaplin]

I just bought a set of the Autometer gauges and they came with the copper tubing. When I install them, should I install the braided stainless instead?? Which is beter copper or braided stainless?

Thanks,
Mike

[427 S/O]

Run the copper from the engine to the inside of the firewall and then SS hose to the gauge. Get a #3 stainless steel brake hose 14", with this you can drop the dash without disconnecting.

[427 S/O]

Go to the link below and scan down to the 120-series, this will adapt the copper oil line to a #3 SS hose.






http://www.jfoakes.com/brass%20pictures.htm

[Mr.Fixit]

Copper tubing will eventually fail. It is not meant for the vibration and abuse that a car puts it through.

[Chaplin]

MR. Fixit-
Do you think it is better to run the braided stainless the whole way then?

[turnpike boy]

Chaplin, got to tell you that the fire made me clamp up so tight that I won't sh!t for a week. As pointed out in previous posts, copper will fatigue and break - in shorter order than you might think. Maybe o.k. for a water temp line, but positively N.F.G. for oil. Go for broke and buy stainless braided....look at what you've spent already. Cheap insurance.

[Steve Dickey]

Guys,
Thanks for all your help. GASKETBOY may have the fitting I'm looking for and offered it to me. If he can't find it I'll try one of the other suggested places.
Thanks again, Steve

[Junket]

I used the steel line (like brake line & were on all the old GM mechinal guages) all the fitings off the plastic will fit a couple of $$ should do it.
Ken