Catastrophic engine failure?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
Catastrophic engine failure?
That was my first thought. Hi all, been lurking around for a while since I got my '69 from a forum member and appreciate all the good advice I've read from afar. I'm sure this is an easy one for many here but man was I terrified when I saw this under my car today after starting it up. Heard a gurgling sound under the hood and shut it down. Certainly thought the worst but kept saying to myself it doesn't make sense, it seemed to be running fine and I turned it off, it didn't stop because something failed. Long story short, the oil pressure gauge tube broke off at the intake manifold and spewed oil like a volcano. What a relief!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,224
Likes: 652
From: Thunder Bay
That much oil on the ground is rarely a cause for celebration but as I see it you have two reasons to cheer. One, it wasn't a catastrophic engine failure, and two, the line didn't break at the other end! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
You can buy a braided steel line to replace the plastic (or copper ? ) tubing . Its not "original" but once its on your don't have to worry about that much oil potentially in your carpet !!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 877
Likes: 80
From: Frederick MD
I swapped out the original setup on my '73 with the electric version and plan on doing the same thing with my '69 to avoid this issue. Seems odd to have pressurized oil right there in the gauge cluster but I guess that was what made sense 50+ years ago.
Scott
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Had that happen to me many yrs ago while on the freeway; Autometer sells a copper line kit with all the fittings, that aint gonna leak
As said for the ultimate, try an electronic sender.
As said for the ultimate, try an electronic sender.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Glad I read this post!!!! Since I have the passenger side dash pad out of my 69 and the gauge cluster open, this is the time to get that plastic line OUTTAHERE!!!! Now the decision - Autometer's copper kit or switch to electric. I am leaning towards the electric right now. What other 70 PSI gauges are light green? Don't think white is really an option. Might have to just rob the face plate from the existing unit and swap it out.
Oh Boy!! Another "While I'm at it"!!!!
If you did the swap to electric, what did you do?
Oh Boy!! Another "While I'm at it"!!!!
If you did the swap to electric, what did you do?
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