Plastic or copper oil lines.
12-23-2006, 12:58 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Plastic or copper oil lines.
What are the pros/cons of using the more flexible plastic oil pressure gauge lines. I am working on a '66 327/350 and the old copper line still appears useable, but do they get old and brittle with age. I have some of the plastic stuff from another project and am wondering what to use. I even think I have a new copper set also somewhere.
Ralph
Ralph
12-23-2006, 01:30 PM
#4
Team Owner
How would you like 60#or even 80# of oil squirting on your legs an d allllll over your new carpet, under ther dash, in the electrical system
from a PLASTIC line...i know i would'nt.
just think about it a nick or a bend that was not quit right...
jack
from a PLASTIC line...i know i would'nt.just think about it a nick or a bend that was not quit right...
jack
12-23-2006, 06:42 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
OR you can have the gauge converted to electric.
Yeah I know, not NCRS correct, like the rest of my car.
Rich
Yeah I know, not NCRS correct, like the rest of my car.
Rich
12-23-2006, 07:22 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
About the oil spraying all over your legs...don't forget, it's often very HOT oil! That being said, I've used plastic lines in my cars (not just vettes) for years and have never had a major failure.
12-24-2006, 12:15 PM
#12
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Washington Michigan
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I've never seen a nylon oil pressure line fail either - my '69 Z/28 still has its original nylon line, no problems. Midyear oil pressure lines were originally copper-plated steel - Paragon has them, including the GM-proprietary end fittings. Plain copper as a replacement isn't a good idea - copper work-hardens with repeated movement and vibration and is prone to fractures.
12-24-2006, 12:50 PM
#13
Tech Contributor
Ralph,
Personally I like the nylon lines. I have run them for years and my 72's was just changed for the 1st time this summer when I did an un-needed body on resto! The line was fine after all these years the problem I had was with the farrel, it was not a common one so I bought a new line from Paragon with the ends fit. Works great. I'd be more concerned with the steel line kinking whiel installing then the nylon bursting under 35-80 psi. It should be rated over 100 psi probably closer to 150 or more.
Merry Xmas!
Personally I like the nylon lines. I have run them for years and my 72's was just changed for the 1st time this summer when I did an un-needed body on resto! The line was fine after all these years the problem I had was with the farrel, it was not a common one so I bought a new line from Paragon with the ends fit. Works great. I'd be more concerned with the steel line kinking whiel installing then the nylon bursting under 35-80 psi. It should be rated over 100 psi probably closer to 150 or more.
Merry Xmas!
