The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop copper tubing for oil pressure gauge

Decided to scrap the plastic/nylon tubing that came with my aftermarket oil gauge and go with copper. Someone said that you can get compression fittings for copper lines which makes installation easier. Sound right?

yes - might find what's necessary at some auto parts places in a kit

Bill

Any hardware store worth their salt should have what you need.

Be sure and make the tube long enough to put some sort of spiral into it to absorb vibrations. I usually find a medium-sized socket, maybe a 1" or bigger, and wrap about 2 turns of copper tube around it to act as a vibration damper between the engine and the body. Otherwise, it's possible for the tube to stress-crack at the fittings from engine vibrations.
Jerry

What I am thinking of is using the original copper tube which is hooked up now and adapt it to the new gauge. The original gauge took a male fitting while the new gauge takes a female. If the copper tubing is the same OD as the plastic tubing I might be able to use the compression collar and fitting that came with the new gauge. Don't know if the original line is flared being very small and if it is I would have to cut the flare off with a tubing cutter I guess.

I used 1/8" soft copper to run my oil line to the gauge. Got it from www.mcmastercarr.com. They have a multitude of fittings as well to make anything work. Agree with Hotrod about the coil. Dampens the vibs.

To cut the 1/8" copper tubing should I use a tubing cutter or cutting pliers? I don't want to crimp it.

To cut capillary A/C tubing which has about a 1/32 to 1/16 in. I.D. a triangle file is generally used. Do it on about 3 'sides' & the rest will cleanly break off. Blow out with air to remove cuttings.
Doug

I've always used a mini tubing cutter.

Thank you both.

The job is done. I used a mini tubing cutter. Blew through the line although the I.D. is very tiny. New brass fittings and new compression collars. Ran the tubing through the original 4 hole grommet in the firewall and to the gauge. Put 2 loops in the tubing under dash side. Original tubing didn't have any loops but there was a lot of slack in it. I put in the loops rather than cut the excess off. Easy task and the fittings work perfectly. Total cost for 4 feet of tubing, 2 brass compression collars and the 2 female fittings $3.67 including tax.

Are you sure you can afford that?

olblu49

I know that your project is already down. But for the others who might see this now or through the search feature later.

You may try the below link to Truck and Car shop. They have a listing in their latest catalog for an Oil Gauge Line Kit (Part # 47-033131 and 47-033132). One is for Nylon line listed for $6.00 and the other is for Copper line for $7.00.

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks47_59/t47_025.html

Hopefully someone will find this helpful

Tiny - let me tell you it was tough. Thankfully I spent all that money on the tubing and fittings before I bought all that Christmas stuff!
Kent, thanks. Given the choice I would go with copper. They say the nylon line is good and I might agree but it just didn't look right in the engine compartment of the old 49. Even the new copper is shiny but it will dull soon enough.