oil pressure line bend radius

[428street]

Is there any unwritten rule on the bend radius when installing the oil pressure line?

Also, Doug told me to put teflon tape on the fitting for the OPL which is fine. The manual also states that there are some type of washers that I should have as well. Anyone know anything about this...it's put the dash back on time!

[vector1]

what kind of hose?

aeroquip lists -04 startlite as 2" rad., socketless as 3" rad., steel braided 2" rad.

[428street]

It's a I think 1/8" or 1/4" copper line that comes with the car...

[strictlypersonl]

Or 3/16"...

The copper line is pretty malleable. I'd use a minimum radius of about 1.5".

Support the line as much as possible but I like to leave at least one complete loop between the firewall and engine to absorb engine movement.

[vettestr]

Hey Street,
I like to wrap a couple of coils around a 1" deep socket for a clean looking vibration dampener. I think the washers you mentioned are the compression Ferrel's. Teflon tape IF applied properly is OK but may I suggest Aviation #3 sealant or even a small amount of black RTV. Only apply sealant material to the last 1/2 of the threads so there is metal to metal contact if installing a electric sender so it has continuity or is grounded well. As a rule I do not use anything on brass into the block because the brass is soft enough to seal well without a sealer.

Teflon tape applied incorrectly can be a huge problem. The fittings for the oil pressure gauge is fairly small and most folks only have 1/2" wide Teflon tape although 1/4 " wide is available. The first full thread on the fitting should not be covered with tape, it should be wrapped with 3 full revolutions and in the same direction of threads when tighten. All this is so the tape does not get into the oil system or whatever you are working on.

[wtm442]

Teflon tape is for pipe threads, and it must be installed correctly. I do not recommend using it on the ferrule fitting on the oil line.

[vettestr]

Warren just mentioned, don't use Teflon on the connection that uses the Ferrell. I wanted to make it clear that no T tape, RTV or anything else is used on a compression fitting. The fitting that screws into the block is a pipe thread and most often is 1/8" NPT.

[cobred]

428, I ran that copper line up the front of the engine, along the area where the intake and valve cover meet and through the firewall. I covered it with a thin piece of vacuum hose. Looks pretty good and protects it. Just an idea.

[428street]

thanks for all the answers guys, I appreciate them.

[wtm442]

.... and if you bugger up the oil line ... let me know. I've got a big roll of 1/8" flash nickel coated copper tubing.

[xracerbob]

FWIW-

I had these guys make me a 4' long -3 oil pressure line with adapter fitting for a Smiths gauge and I think it was about $25.

http://64.202.180.37/files/gauge.pdf