Oil Pressure line..
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Oil Pressure line..
I want to revisit this since I am now the one affected. Night before the ALMS race in Monterey and I'm doing some last minute clean-up, brush up against the white plastic pressure line and it disintigrates before my eyes! 
If memory serves (such that it is), the original line is a black plastic, much better than the after-market white plastic stuff I used a few years ago when I had the dash apart. So, where do I get it and how does one determine if it's the good stuff? My inclination is to use copper line through the firewall, and then plastic to the block to allow for flex.
However, my engine barely moves on it's mounts, and all the old stuff used copper anyway, so why not just go copper all the way? I certainly wouldn't have to worry about it being affected by the oil, heat, environmet, etc... What say you all?
Hans
If memory serves (such that it is), the original line is a black plastic, much better than the after-market white plastic stuff I used a few years ago when I had the dash apart. So, where do I get it and how does one determine if it's the good stuff? My inclination is to use copper line through the firewall, and then plastic to the block to allow for flex.
However, my engine barely moves on it's mounts, and all the old stuff used copper anyway, so why not just go copper all the way? I certainly wouldn't have to worry about it being affected by the oil, heat, environmet, etc... What say you all?
Hans
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Originally Posted by Wrencher
I want to revisit this since I am now the one affected. Night before the ALMS race in Monterey and I'm doing some last minute clean-up, brush up against the white plastic pressure line and it disintigrates before my eyes!
If memory serves (such that it is), the original line is a black plastic, much better than the after-market white plastic stuff I used a few years ago when I had the dash apart. So, where do I get it and how does one determine if it's the good stuff? My inclination is to use copper line through the firewall, and then plastic to the block to allow for flex.
However, my engine barely moves on it's mounts, and all the old stuff used copper anyway, so why not just go copper all the way? I certainly wouldn't have to worry about it being affected by the oil, heat, environmet, etc... What say you all?
Hans
If memory serves (such that it is), the original line is a black plastic, much better than the after-market white plastic stuff I used a few years ago when I had the dash apart. So, where do I get it and how does one determine if it's the good stuff? My inclination is to use copper line through the firewall, and then plastic to the block to allow for flex.
However, my engine barely moves on it's mounts, and all the old stuff used copper anyway, so why not just go copper all the way? I certainly wouldn't have to worry about it being affected by the oil, heat, environmet, etc... What say you all?
Hans
I had copper in mine from the engine to firewall and three times it broke while driving. Oil pissed out all over the headers, smoke everywhere... WHAT A MESS!!! Barely made it to a gas station each time to temporarily plug the hole until I made repairs.
Now I have nylon running from the block to the firewall and fire wall to dash... hasn't broke yet 3 years later and it gives a good enough reading for the everyday vette user.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,188
Likes: 4,010
From: Connecticut, USA
I just did this as part of the frame on. I first used the white stuff in the aftermarket kits with all the ferrules, well they didn't seal. Iworked it a couple of times and tried other fittings but that orignal tapered seat is different. I ended up buying the line from a vendor that was already crimped and it have worked ok so far.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
Copper will work harden and crack from vibration over time. GM used a copper plated STEEL line for some years so there is some confusion out there on this issue.
Get a proper steel line or use a plastic one. I run plastic.
-Mark.
Get a proper steel line or use a plastic one. I run plastic.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Gordonm
My white plastic line has held up for 10 years now. Maybe I should consider changing it soon. 
Hans
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,955
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by fugawi
what about a braided steel line. i see jegs sells them...
I didn't take the dash apart so I only spliced it to a shortened piece of plastic to the gauge. I didn't run it completely to the gauge yet.
Last edited by Jughead; Oct 31, 2006 at 04:36 AM.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Not bad..
Using braided in the engine compartment is probably the way to go. I'd guess the under-dash plastic tubing would be fine since it gets no ambient external heat, the oil in the line would be relatively cool, and it wouldn't be disturbed. Gotta find that black line!
Hans
Hans
